Located a mere 5 hours due East of Cape Town in South Africa, the Oubaai Hotel, Golf & Spa is truly an oasis situated along the famous Garden Route. As the peak travel season is fast approaching, rooms at this establishment fill up pretty fast. So if you have any intention to explore the Garden Route in South Africa, you’ve got to act quickly to secure your room.
Given that the entire estate includes a golf course, the drive up to the main lobby offers magnificent views of the surrounding landscape.
I left my car at the check in parking lot area before heading to the front desk to obtain my keys. Stepping into the lobby, I was impressed by how much effort was put into decorating the place. The flowers, fixtures and paintings contributed to a warm and inviting atmosphere for guests.
The hotel is also prepared for Christmas!
Even though I arrived slightly ahead of the check in time, my room was ready for me. The property has 100 rooms and suites, all of which are huge given that land is abundant this far out of the major cities in South Africa.
Most areas of the hotel are air conditioned, which is important especially in the summer months.
Entering my room, which was already cooled to a comfortable temperature, I knew that my stay was going to live up to my expectations. The room was very spacious, and furnished adequately. Even with the king sized bed, there was a lot of room to manoeuvre and leave your personal effects lying around. For those who need space for yoga or pilates, bring your mat and enjoy it in the comfort of your room.
At the front of the room was a television with endless entertainment options on cable TV. There was also complimentary coffee and tea for guests.
The wooden table was great for room service, which I enjoyed on at least one occasion during my stay.
The bathroom was separated from the bedroom by sliding frosted glass doors for varying privacy levels. You could actually watch your favourite movie from the comfort of your bathtub, which I did.
The fitness centre was just a stroll away from my room. Along the way, I could better appreciate the expanse of the property. Too bad I didn’t bring my golf clubs along for this trip, otherwise I might have sneaked in a game or two.
The fitness centre was very well equipped. You won’t have to use the treadmills though, as there are running routes to choose from that take you around the perimeter of the property of varying difficulty levels. Be sure to choose the right one for your fitness level, as the one I selected had undulating terrain that was quite strenuous. Thankfully I made it back to my room before sundown.
I had the opportunity to try out the Waterside Grill during my stay, and the food was quite good. There are a few restaurants to choose from, and given that the hotel is pretty secluded, it might be worthwhile to stay in and dine for convenience.
As breakfast was included for my stay, I got to enjoy a sumptuous spread every morning. The selection was pretty standard fare, but I felt that I had a lot to choose from.
The Oubaai Hotel, Golf & Spa is perfect for those who wish to explore the Garden Route in comfort. Be sure to visit the Aquila Safari Private Game Reserve enroute from Cape Town, and Cater at least 2 days to explore the surroundings, such as Mossel Bay to the West, and Knysna and Plettenberg Bay to the East.
