Kiara Lodge

We always been looking forward to go to Kiara Lodge, but when we got there our expectations vs what we saw was completely different. 1. Dirty dishes and cups inside the kitchen units that was pretty much disgusting. 2. Dirty pan inside the oven. 3. Mould in the bathroom. 4. Cracked ceiling in the living room. It was bid annoying to constantly have to report this issues. It made me wonder if there's any maintenance and house keeping managers. Am on holiday, I don't really like to have so many challenges. This was the worst holiday place that I have ever had. Then we went to paddle boat, you get to be given the key but there's no number as to which key belongs to which boat. There's no one on site, again am on vacation such hassles should be very minimal or atleast number your boats and keys, so that when one gets on site they can know which boat to go to. Lastly the pool area and putt putt, isn't a way that you can expand those? Given the caliber of the lodge, it gets bid clustered that it has to accommodate most of the people that are on the Lodge. I don't mind the security gates, can't you give occupance access cards instead of pin? The gates are always stuck, I don't if this was caused by people punching in incorrect pin or what. I hope our reviews are seriously been taken into consideration. I must express my deepest frustration and disappointment with Kiara lodge.

We had a 3 night stay and it was our very 1st time at Kiara and it really did not disappoint. Resort is situated in a beautiful setting that one can feel truly relaxed and even though we went during peak season, it did not feel over crowded (even the pool). Overall we were very happy with our stay, we had booked a 6 sleeper self catering chalet and one non self catering unit for our group and both units were comfortable and spacious and clean. The self catering unit was equipped well, although the fridge just did not seem cold enough even though it was on the coldest setting. Beds and sleeper coaches were all very comfortable. The kids loved the facilities and games room. Overall the resort is clean and well kept. Staff are friendly and super helpful. We did have 1 dinner at Maluti Melts Restaurant (we did find the food average - not spectacular. We were disappointed with the cheese fondue as we expected a proper swiss fondue where you have a real taste of cheese and cheese strings stretching after you dipped your food but it really was just a cheese sauce. Resort is close to the Golden Gate reserve and to Clarens so it makes it an ideal spot to be close enough to everything. My only suggestion is for resort management to please check the balcony wooden fencing on a regular basis as we found some of the vertical wood was loose and could easily be pulled off with not much force (we did phone maintenance to come fix this), this is dangerous as we had young toddlers with us and we had one of the upper units so had we not tested it (and it was really by chance as well that we decided to check), the toddler could easily pull it off and fit through and fall.

We booked a 2 night stay at Kiara Lodge. Check in is at 15:00 and we arrived at 14:45. We were then informed that our room wasn't ready. After 15 min we returned to reception, only to find out that our room was actually ready but... another couple went to see if they liked to room because they didn't look the room they were given - ok. 5 minutes later, the couple returned stating that they would not take the room and wanted to speak to a manager. We were then passed the key to room 50C. This chalet was situated right next to the bar lounge area, quite close to the indoor pool area. As we entered, we noticed that huge damp patch above the kitchen ceiling and a terrible damp smell throughout the chalet... the couches were also disgustingly dirty! We complained and returned to the reception. After some fighting, they begrudgingly gave us the keys to room 43C. This chalet was at the top of the hill, overlooking the entire resort with spectacular views. A real beautiful chalet (could do with a little TLC and maintenance). I don't think the reception informed the cleaners that the room was to be occupied hence there was no tea, coffee etc and a very smelly dirty plate. We've been to Kiara lodge a few times now and looking at the current downward trend, I feel worried for the resort.