Hotel reviews: Arathusa

• Location
• TO KNOW
• Overview
• Accommodation
• Food and drink
• Beach
• Photos

The name Arathusa comes from a Northern Sotho word meaning 'to help one another'. The then farm was bought by the current owner's grandfather in 1960 and after having been leased to another lodge has been run by Anina Dannhauser and her husband Hannes since 2006. Guests at Arathusa can enjoy game viewing over an area of almost 10,000 acres and shares traversing rights with a few other properties. The Manyeleti River runs through the lodge's land.

• Location
• TO KNOW
• Overview
• Accommodation
• Food and drink
• Beach
• Photos

The welcome received at Arathusa was a lovely one with four members of staff on hand to greet, ice tea at the ready to cool down after the drive to the lodge. First stop is at the reception area behind whose desk are three great shots of leopards found around the lodge. To the sides of the room are a few leather armchairs and other seating while at the centre on the floor is an animal skin rug. It is here where the practical side of things is taken care of although it would have been nice to have been invited through to the lounge area deeper into the camp where one can sit more comfortable with the staff to have this exchange. There is also a PC here where guests without their own laptop can surf the internet (for a fee). The long, covered lounge area is a pleasant setting which starts with the bar and then becomes a relaxing seating area with some attractive couches and armchairs, coffee tables and some soft lighting. There is a working fireplace for those chilly winter evenings and this is also the place to pick up wifi (also chargeable), enjoy a drink or read a book while looking out at the waterhole just feet from the edge of the camp. At the end of the covered lounge area is a decking area with an infinity swimming pool which, from a distance, looks as though it flows into the waterhole. It is quite impressive to be able to relax in the (pool's) water and look out at the animals quenching their thirst just feet away. There is another, separate lookout lounge used expressly for viewing the bushveld, although there were plans to turn this into an external fitness room.

Perhaps the main draw of Arathusa is its spa centre. Newly built and boasting two well-equipped treatment rooms looking on to the bush, the entrance has its desk in the centre while two tall wooden giraffes guard the treatments rooms. Each of the rooms is very spacious and boasts a couple of beds and a hydrobath flanked with candles with relaxing music being diffused throughout the treatment. The spa uses TheraVine products which have been developped in the Stellenbosch region of the country. Treatments available include two types of facial, massages to help with aches and pains, tension and dry skin, wraps, manicures and pedicures. There are also packages available that include private lunch and dinner. Out the back is a relaxation area with plunge pool.

The camp as a whole is in pretty good condition and the staff is perfectly lovely, although they do not perhaps have the same level of friendliness or flare as in some of the other properties we saw. The ranger we had was clearly as knowledgeable as any at Arathusa or further afield, however he hardly opened his mouth during the first hour of the morning game drive which was a shame as we're sure there was lots he could have told us. As well as the usual game drives, the rangers at Arathusa offer walking safaris which should be arranged prior to your visit if possible (over 16s only).

• Location
• TO KNOW
• Overview
• Accommodation
• Food and drink
• Beach
• Photos

The lodge offers a total of 14 rooms, 10 of which are standard while the other four, situated some way from the main camp, are newly built luxury accommodations. The standard rooms, while independent of each other, are relatively close together which may bother some guests and they have no locks (although it is very unlikely that anything will occur, it still gives peace of mind). The grounds around and between the rooms are well kept and the flower beds nicely in bloom. The entrance to the rooms is via the small terrace in front of the thatched building which has a couple of armchairs facing outwards towards the bush and the waterhole. The bedroom is comparatively small although perfectly adequate in size and is dominated by the king bed around which clumsily hangs a mosquito net suspended from the ceiling. It's simply furnished with a desk and chair, two wingback chairs either side of an occasional table adorned with flowers and a butler for your case. A few contemporary prints hang on the walls while the hardwood floor is partly covered by sea straw rugs. The bathroom is of a proportional surface area to the bedroom and features a claw-foot bathtub, a walk-in shower box and branded toiletries. For those who prefer to wash out in the open you'll find an external shower. There is neither a television nor a telephone in the room although it does have air conditioning, a safe and all the products you need to keep away mosquitoes.

The four luxury lodges are far larger and better equipped than the standard rooms and should definitely be considered if you can stretch that far financially. They feature a large open plan bedroom come living room boasting superior fabrics, furniture and fittings such as cushions and plaids on the bed, leather armchairs and mood lighting. There is a wet bar with sink, kettle and (filled) wine rack, a deep soaking tub with bush views and a significantly larger terrace which boasts a plunge pool. A million miles from the rooms back at the main camp.

• Location
• TO KNOW
• Overview
• Accommodation
• Food and drink
• Beach
• Photos

Unfortunately for Arathusa, this is where the lodge really falls down. During our stay we were disappointed with the food. The meals we took at the lodge we always done so communally and were not hosted by the rangers or lodge staff (although we could have chosen to eat alone if we had wished). Most meals are taken at a long table which has a view of the water hole with the choice at breakfast relatively limited. Sadly, the lodge does not offer its guests the chance to dine in the bush or in a river bed although there is a (non-traditional) boma. The dinner we had during our stay, in our opinion, was a little uninspiring and not all that appetising, although it must be said that the other guests had no complaints. The staff too, while efficient, was not very chatty and seemed in a rush to get the service over and done with. The evening consists of just one starter and one dessert while there is a choice of three main dishes. If you feel like eating in your room, on your terrace, privately in any of the locations or have special requests, dietary or otherwise, the staff will be delighted to cater to your wishes as best they can. In addition to the main meals, you will be given hot drinks and a snack before and during the morning game drive and a tipple and another snack during the evening drive.