I’ve done a number of accommodation review posts on this site and the self catering trifecta is always the same. Places we stay get “rated” on how quiet it is (so we can get some much needed sleep), how awesome the water pressure is (so I can actually wash those cares right out of my hair) and whether the kids have something to do (because anything is better than more whining, right?)
If those 3 things are in place, it doesn’t take much more for us to feel like we’ve enjoyed our stay and we can leave with just a few less worries than we arrived with. When it comes to self catering, more is always better in the kitchen. Yes, I get the whole kitchenette vibe but actual cooking is tricky if you don’t even have access to a 2 plate stove. We find our menu gets pretty carb heavy when we are limited to just a microwave.
Kid friendly getaway: The Plantation, Port Elizabeth
The flip side is if the price of accommodation is reasonable and there are child friendly places to eat not too far away then I don’t mind.
Oats or maize porridge for breakfast sets us up for the day (thanks to the microwave) and we can grab a few things from the local supermarket for our picnic on the beach. Early supper can then be a braai, take away pizzas or a restaurant meal as a treat. I love The Entertainer app and it was very useful in Plettenberg Bay and Knysna but there is nothing listed for Port Elizabeth on the app :(.
Anyway, ramble aside, here is the review. The Plantation is an award winning wedding venue that many Eastern Cape locals will be well acquainted with. This charming gem has the most romantic, “fairytale forest” feel, where you wouldn’t be surprised to find a unicorn peeking out at you between the trees. The windowless chapel has an airy, rustic feel which is perfect for people who prefer to steer clear of stuffy churches and fits right into its surroundings.
But, since we didn’t get married again, this review is actually about the 4 luxurious rooms which you can book to stay in for that weekend getaway with your loved one or even more perfect for couples with older kids. Each room accommodates 2 people but if you have your kids with you, the interleading door can be unlocked and the kids can have a stunning room of their own. Complete with their own kitchenette.
Zoe LOVED having her own kitchen. It must be a girl thing. She immediately put on a tea party, complete with table settings and your choice of coffee or tea with the cookies she snuck from our padkos stash. She enjoyed throwing her first tea party so much that she did another on the day we left and she invited the lovely owners of The Plantation Sarah and Ralph to join us. The whole morning was taken up with Zoe ordering us to move tables, counting the number of chairs she had (to make sure she had enough) and checking what time it was to make sure she boiled the kettle in time. It was so cute!
Of all the beds we have slept in over the past 8 weeks, the beds, bedding and rooms where the most cozy. I never wanted to leave my electric blanket haven. The water pressure in the shower is invigorating and the surrounding milkhood forest was heaven for our young explorers.
You can read more about their stunning rooms over here on their website. I’m already wishing we could go back.
Disclaimer: We were invited to review The Plantation and were hosted for 2 nights. We paid for an additional night because we enjoyed it so much. All thoughts, words, pictures and opinions are honest and our own. We were not asked to right a blog post about our weekend.
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