Montpellier de Tulbagh

While staying at Montpellier De Tulbagh we decided to do a tasting of their wines. Normally, as the staff advised us, wine tastings are done on the lawns in-front of the manor house, however as there was a wedding there that evening, tastings were moved to the restaurant. They have a wide range of different wine styles ranging from MCCs and whites to reds, grouped into 2 different tasting options, one for the MCCs and one for the whites and reds. As we had time my wife and I decided to do both tastings and we really enjoyed all of them and even bought some to take home. Something I found special about their wines was that all of them have a wax seal which will definitely help if you are planning to age their wines a bit at home as well. Although our waiter was very friendly, he wasn't that knowledgeable about the wines, but other than that we had a fun experience and recommend you go for a tasting to experience what they have to offer.

review of accommodation only: Filthy. We stayed at one of their main house for a family wedding. If it wasn’t for the wedding, we would have probably never entered the property. Dirty, ruined, broken furniture, toilets in conditions that should not be allowed to be used for paid accommodation. no bathroom amenities (except for a tiny soap), not enough towels, no plugs to use the heaters, no emergency lights for load shedding, candles inside a house with thatch roof. No H&S standard being observed. Dirt and dust that not from the day before, but probably no one has ever cleaned. A disclaimer sign “to reduce our expectation” while paying full price is what a cheap lawyer would use to escape responsibilities. Pathetic, unprofessional and probably not fully even legal to rent as tourist location. I emailed twice the property about my complaint (while we were there) but no response.

We attended a dear friend's wedding at Montpellier and booked one of the Farmyard Rooms for 2 nights to stay over.the night before and the night after the wedding. But the accommodation and service were massive disappointments. The mattrass on the bed was several years beyond its expiry date. It was hollow, and wobbly - no firmness left in it. The first impression of the furniture in the room is that it is antique or period furniture but on closer inspectiin it was only dilapidated, not antique or period. There was a kettle and instant Nescafe sachets in the room. But the cups were never replaced or cleaned during our stay. In fact, the room was not serviced at all during our stay. The bathroom is called a "wet room" for a reason: the toilet bowl is literally in the shower. There is no other place provided to put down your shampoo, soap or shower gel but the toilet lid. The low-quality gas heater would on 2 occasions during our stay not switch on at all meaning we had to shower cold. Exactly the same happened to our friends who stayed in the room nextdoor. And as occasional campers, we know how to operate a gas geyser. We asked the personnel for help with the geyser on 2 other occasiins; they eventually got the geyser going so we could have a hot shower at least some of the time. And of course, the only mirror in the room is nowhere near the wash basin making it difficult to shave or wash off make-up. There was a notice in the room to lock away all valuables. However, there was no safe or even a lockable wardrobe in the room. One of the windows' latches was broken off so the window could not be securely closed. It would be easy for someone to climb into the room through the window. Yet they warn you to lock away your valuables. There was a small space in a wardrobe to hang a jacket or suit but it was not high enough for a dress. However, since there was no coat hanger provided, this was also no good - we could not hang our clothes. This mattered since we were there to attend a wedding with formal dress code. There is of course no WiFi or telephone in the room. The only way to contact "reception" is to call from your mobile phone. I could go on about the poor quality and non-existant service at Montpellier. You would be better off staying at a guesthouse in Tulbagh even if you attend an event at Montpellier. They don't care a damn about their overnight guests and the quality of the accommodatiin is way below par for the price and the area.

Was there to taste and buy wine, what a lovely experience and awesome wines at reasonable prices, trip down history lane it’s unbelievable not to be missed A hidden gem in this beautiful town of Tulbagh Staff very dedicated and well informed

Attended a wedding - wedding was great and food good - however there are some major short comings as a guest staying over. We stayed in a room past the tractor sheds over looking a few olive trees. rooms were dirty, grubby and smelt of wet cement. Showers and loos together in tiny bathroom, every thing gets wet, toilet etc, toilet brush kept on top of toilet system lid, repulsive. Doors were dirty, one bar of cheap soap, no amenities and no hair dryer (difficult for ladies attending a wedding) - surrounds are like a scrap yard, with broken glass , and bits and bobs lying around, not safe or clean in any way. Woken early by shouting staff - Require training! Cheap beds, mattresses and pillows - rooms put together from Auction house, every thing very worn and shabby! A friend was in a penthouse , which was shabby (Not Chic) with no way of blocking out light, don't expect to sleep. Wedding venue was charming, but freezing, despite the room housing a large fire place, it was never light. Attention to detail is lacking every where, the place needs a good scrub and some one with an eye for detail. Breakfast was bleak, very basic and again not enough staff around to assist and replenish. The "grubbyness" and lack of hygiene was evident every where, the final straw was a dog defecating in the breakfast room. Prices are modest, but you do expect more. Probably charming for a day visit and tasting of their good wines. So much potential, however under delivers ! You cant survive on an "instagramable " only setting.

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