Simbavati Fynbos on Sea

We arrived late for checkin and rang to advise we’d be late. Staff were great and said not a problem., and met us at the top of the very long drive. Check in was a breeze and the assistance the staff offered was wonderful, especially as we were exhausted from a long drive. Our room was amazing with outstanding views across the lake and down the coast line. Sunrise was a treat from our patio. Meals were plentiful and very tasty. Staff couldn’t do enough for us. By the time we had finished breakfast the staff had sorted out our room, going as far as folding clothes neatly that were at the base of the bed. Our guide, who took us around the property to see zebra, bush bucks and water bucks as well as learn about different vegetation, was extremely knowledgable and very enthusiastic. We certainly came away with a better understanding of the fynbos and how important the plants you will find within them are. We learnt a great deal about the zebras and the different types of bucks that have been introduced to the property over the past ten years and their sustainability and resilience. I certainly can’t speak more highly of this beautiful property perched high on the hill and centrally located on the garden route with amazing staff who went out of their way to assist us. Thank you.

The attention to detail is fantastic and all staff are prepared to go the extra mile. The activities were great and the guides extremely knowledgeable and passionate about their jobs. Would highly recommend this lodge for a relaxing breakaway.

Visited for the first time on a Sunday. Their special was Fillet Steak which was cooked to perfection. However, I did think that their pricing is a bit odd as you are asked to pay the same price for their special as the other items on the lunch menu such as burger, fish and chips and toasted ciabatta. I also was not very impressed with the staff who were very impersonal and I actually had to search for someone to take our drinks order. The views are exceptional but this restaurant must be careful that they don't rely on customers coming just for the scenery.

Excellent staf, location and accommodation. A place where they make you feel home, the views are beautifully as are the rooms where you stay. In combination with the 5 star food and whines a Excellent stay is guaranteed. Lots of things to do and the staff will arrange it for you, from paragliding, diving with crocs, deepseafishing, sundowners even on a catamaran and horseriding, call it they help you. One of the best places in South Africa so far.

Fynbos on Sea has a "Bistro" I say this lightly. Described over the phone to me as a Casual dining experience...comedic...I'll get to the 'menu' later. I planned a Valentine Lunch/Late lunch with my hubby on Sunday as our Valentines (we use it as anniversary) couldn't happen - we both were too busy, so in between I found the time to arrange a transfer who could make the latest arrival time I asked about and set by the 'Bistro' (I phoned thinking the Bistro is a full time restaurant) - 3pm- , stupidly unaware and NEVER MADE AWARE of the fact there was an 'emphasized by our waiter' UPON ARRIVAL (obviously feverishly anticipated) KITCHEN-STOPS-WORK time at 3pm and LOCK-SHOP at 4pm. Only an hour before our arrival I was phoned - still unaware of the closing time - REMINDING me that the kitchen closes at 3pm, which in most people's world means.....last orders can still be placed before 3pm. Therefor in order to save on "deciding on what to eat" time, I requested the menu be sent please, I could order over the phone in the car and they could start making it when we arrive? We weren't going for a T-Bone steak or anything that would take more than 15min. to make fresh. We were going for late Lunch, not dinner. Now I had seen pictures of the Lodge and Restaurant on the Net and it looked upmarket, that's how much I knew about what was about to hit me when the 'menu pic' arrived. Three items, two of them with V variations. Burger, Wrap, Pizza, Dessert cup....that was it! One page in a Flip hardcover file menu. And a good assor**ent of at least 5 pages of drinks. None of these dishes take more than max 15 min. to freshly make...correct me if I'm wrong? One man doing the job. I figured that would be the case on arrival, worst case..... I've never been to Fynbos on Sea, I've only seen the advert when driving through Sedge. When I noticed the sign post and noted it a week before Valentines, thinking it's close, we could stay there even for the night, a solution to our schedule, to get away , eventhough we stay in the most magnificent location in Wilderness, on die Duin. A view over Gericke's might be a change as opposed to Wilderness beach. Weighing it I Eventually decided just a meal at Simbavati, Fynbos on Sea Bistro might also be fine. I was wrong. The MCC was on the table, waiting. The Burgers were brought virtually as we sat down. It was cold, had been made probably the hour of their first phone call to me. Patty was thick in depth but small in circumference, hard, dry ....in a tin plate with a thumbsize bowl of garlic mayo. Fries were cold R150 per Burger R150! daylight....!, Pizza was medium at R120 (shy of 30cm in length absolutely half that in width)....perhaps the BUSH experience they were after. The building matched the plates. The view was oookkaayish with patch windows in the way - you don't actually look out over Gericke's - the dessert cup/jar was caterers icecream....I could go on.....Positively Not the Simbavati experience I was hop

We stopped off for lunch after a beautiful walk along the unspoiled Swartvlei Beach. This gem of a hotel is perched on the cliffs offering spectacular views along the coast. From the moment we arrived we were warmly welcomed by the staff and this personal touch continued through our visit. Our meal was delicious - (meze platter and fillet salad) beautifully presented with a range of different tastes and flavours. And of course the stunning view made this a meal to remember. We will certainly be back - and also to do some of the hiking trails available on the property.

Beautiful secluded lodge where luxury and privacy are combined to provide a great experience. Attention to detail was the most impressive and it’s all the small things that were paid attention to that made the stay memorable. The guides are very knowledgeable and go out of there way to provide great experiences for you. Lodge manager was attentive and nothing was to much trouble.

We came for lunch on a Sunday with friends, had heard about good food and seen pictures of the venue and glorious view. What we got was beyond disappointing. The food that was served would have to be classified as mediocre pub grub at best: Chicken burger on burnt buns (smeared with sauce to hide the blackness), ribs and chips and worst off all a vegetarian dish that looked and tasted like all the individual items (couscous, falafel balls, pickled veg and beetroots) came straight out of a packet from Pick and Pay. Completely bland, no effort, no creativity, no reaction when we complained and worst of all no comment whatsoever from the general manager after sending our feedback by email. For a lodge of this caliber, part of the exquisite Simbavati lodge collection and praising itself as a luxury lodge, this is quite astounding and extremely disappointing and unprofessional. We have no reason to recommend this place for dining and hope that the guest spending a little fortune on staying there get treated to much better fare.