Hogsback, Hogsback-32.591958,26.933069(Show on Map)
8.3
Very Good
+5 Photos
+5 Photos
+ 3 Photos3
Checkin - Checkout dates
1 Room2 Guests
Info
Summary of reviews
The Hogsback Arminel Hotel, nestled in one of South Africa's most stunning locales, offers a magical setting surrounded by lush forests and beautiful gardens, providing a serene retreat. This centrally located hotel allows easy access to local attractions, shops, pubs and hiking trails, making it a perfect base for exploring the enchanting Hogsback area.
Guests consistently praise the hotel's tranquil atmosphere and the excellent upkeep of the grounds. The spacious and well-designed units blend seamlessly with the picturesque surroundings, offering both comfort and convenience. The modern cottages, in particular, are appreciated for their design and setup, providing a cozy and spacious environment ideal for both families and individuals.
The breakfast offerings are well-received, described as lovely and excellent by many with fresh crumpets being a highlight, although some felt it could be served hotter and be less expensive. Dinner also enjoys positive feedback with guests frequently praising the delicious and wholesome meals, along with the chef's culinary skills. The picnic basket option adds a delightful touch to the dining experience, though occasional noise during dinner is noted.
The staff at Hogsback Arminel Hotel receive high praise for their friendly, professional and welcoming demeanor. Guests commend their helpfulness and quick problem-solving abilities, creating an atmosphere of warm and friendly service throughout the hotel.
While the hotel’s cleanliness receives mixed reviews, many guests find the cottages to be beautifully clean and neat, enjoying the overall clean environment. However, there are areas that require better housekeeping standards with some reports of mold, damp smells and untidy rooms detracting from the experience.
The hotel features a communal outdoor pool, which offers a pleasant experience when well-maintained, though concerns about poor maintenance and occasional disruptions have been raised. Nonetheless, the pool adds a significant recreational option for guests.
The Hogsback Arminel Hotel is particularly noted for being a family-friendly destination, offering ample activities and cozy chalets suitable for larger families. The comfort of the beds, especially with the inclusion of electric blankets, further adds to the cozy experience, although bed arrangements could benefit from some improvements.
Overall, Hogsback Arminel Hotel delivers a fulfilling experience that aligns with its three-star rating, meeting guest expectations with its beautiful setting, friendly service and comfortable accommodations.
Categories
Tennis
This hotel features tennis courts set in extensive grounds, complemented by a swimming pool and proximity to the Amatola Mountains. It is dedicated to providing recreational facilities for guests looking to enjoy outdoor activities.
3 Star
Located in Hogsback, this hotel offers a comfortable and reliable stay with basic amenities. It's a good option for travelers seeking value for money.
Family
Pool
Outdoor Pool
Free Wi-Fi
Business
Outdoor Pool
Room Types
Double RoomWarmly decorated room has a seating area and a modern, private bathroom.
Twin RoomWarmly decorated room has a seating area and a modern, private bathroom.
CottageThe thatched-roof cottage features open plan lounge and kitchen with dining table. Some of the cottages have a fireplace and other cottages have heaters.
Please note that the price is based on 2 guests. Maximum occupancy is 6 (see Hotel Policies) .
Children 4-11 years will be charged an additional R100.00 per child per night.
Children 12-18 years will be charged an additional R 200.00 per child per night.
Three-Bedroom ChaletThe fireplace is the standout feature of this chalet. Boasting a private entrance, this spacious chalet also features 3 bedrooms, a seating area and 2 bathrooms with a bath and a shower. Guests will find a stovetop, a refrigerator, a dishwasher and kitchenware in the kitchen. The chalet also comes with a barbecue. The chalet features a dining area, a safe deposit box, an electric kettle, a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, as well as garden views. The unit has 5 beds.
Guest Reviews
8.3
Very Good
Review Summaries
Location
Nestled in one of South Africa's most breathtaking locales, the Hogsback Arminel Hotel boasts a truly magical setting. Surrounded by a lush forest and graced with beautiful gardens, the property provides a serene and peaceful retreat. Its location, often described as perfect and stunning, makes it an excellent base for exploring the charming village and its natural wonders.
Guests are enamored with the tranquil atmosphere and the excellent upkeep of the grounds, making it an inviting place to unwind. The large, spacious units blend seamlessly with the picturesque surroundings, offering both comfort and easy access to local attractions.
Centrally located, the hotel is within walking distance to essential amenities, local shops, pubs and hiking trails, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the enchanting natural beauty of the Hogsback area. Whether for a serene getaway or an exploration of winter wonderlands, the Hogsback Arminel Hotel stands out as a top choice with its fabulous setting and beautiful scenery.
Breakfast
Guests at the Hogsback Arminel Hotel largely appreciated the breakfast offerings, frequently describing them as lovely, good and even excellent. Many highlighted the fresh crumpets as particularly enjoyable. However, there were some concerns with a few guests feeling that the breakfast was rather expensive and could have benefited from being served hotter. Despite these critiques, the overall sentiment towards the breakfast experience was positive.
Dinner
The dinner offerings at Hogsback Arminel Hotel have garnered positive feedback for their quality. Guests often describe the food as delicious and amazing, praising the chef's excellence. The meals are noted for being wholesome and generous with some reviews highlighting the excellence of both the food and the staff. Although a few guests mentioned a need for an upgrade or found the food average, the overall sentiment leans favorably towards excellent and great meals. Additionally, a picnic basket option is available, adding a delightful touch to the dining experience. Despite some noise issues during dinner, the positive remarks about the dinner at the hotel suggest a generally satisfying dining experience.
Rooms
Hogsback Arminel Hotel offers a range of accommodations with the modern cottages standing out for their design and comfort. Many guests appreciated the spaciousness and thoughtful setup of the self-catering units, particularly the large cottages with multiple bedrooms and bathrooms. The chalets are noted for being well-designed and comfortable and the general decoration throughout the accommodations is praised as beautiful.
However, the hotel is not without its drawbacks. Several reviews mention a persistent damp and musty smell in the rooms, along with instances of mold on bathroom ceilings and shower tiles. Maintenance issues such as a sticky front door, leaking roof and wobbly double bunks also detracted from the stay for some guests. Cleanliness seemed to be a recurring concern with reports of unmet expectations regarding the condition of showers and bathroom tiles.
On a more positive note, when everything works as intended, guests find the accommodation to be in perfect condition and exceptionally clean with a great location adding to the overall appeal. However, it is clear that some aspects of the rooms require attention and care to meet the standard that many guests expect.
Beds
The Hogsback Arminel Hotel offers cottages that are notably spacious and furnished with clean furniture. Many guests have highlighted the comfort of the beds, noting that they were very comfortable. The inclusion of electric blankets in the cottages further adds to the cozy experience. However, there were some inconsistencies reported with bed arrangements. Some guests mentioned that the beds in the main bedroom were two single beds pushed together, which was uncomfortable for them. Additionally, there were concerns about the safety of the double bunks, which were described as wabbly and in need of replacement. The 3-quarter beds, placed next to each other, tended to shift apart with a preference expressed for double beds instead. Overall, while the beds are generally comfortable, certain setups could benefit from improvements.
Cleanliness
The Hogsback Arminel Hotel offers a mixed experience when it comes to cleanliness, though there are certainly bright spots worth noting. Many guests found the cottages to be very spacious and clean with some describing the units as beautifully clean and very neat. The general ambiance is praised with visitors enjoying the beautiful and clean environment, which also provides picturesque settings for photography.
However, there are areas that need improvement. Some reviews mention problems such as untidy and moldy rooms, unclean bathrooms and issues with floors, walls and windows requiring a thorough clean. Instances of damp smells in self-catering cottages and reports of leftover bottles and garbage also detract from an otherwise pleasant stay.
Overall, while the hotel’s spacious and well-equipped cottages are well-suited for cold weather and are appreciated by many, there is a clear need for better housekeeping standards and more rigorous cleaning protocols to enhance the guest experience fully.
Staff
The staffing experience at Hogsback Arminel Hotel consistently receives high praise from guests. Reports highlight the friendly and professional nature of the team, emphasizing their welcoming attitude and helpfulness. The reception staff, in particular, are noted for their quick problem-solving abilities and accommodating behavior. Individual staff members like Tamara are recognized for going above and beyond in their service. Guest reviews consistently describe the staff as lovely, fantastic and great, creating an atmosphere of warm and friendly service throughout the hotel.
Pool
Hogsback Arminel Hotel features a communal outdoor pool that has received mixed feedback from guests. Some highlight the pool as being nice, warm and great, offering a pleasant experience for visitors. However, there are recurring concerns about the management of the pool with mentions of poor maintenance and instances of it being out of commission for repairs. Additionally, the pool's location is noted to be a bit far and at times, guests have encountered disruptions like adults drinking alcohol in the pool area. Despite these issues, the pool adds a significant recreational option for guests when well-maintained.
Family
Hogsback Arminel Hotel stands out as a prime destination for families seeking a comfortable and enjoyable retreat. From the reviews, this hotel is highly regarded as a family-friendly spot, ideal for creating memorable moments. Guests frequently noted the abundance of family activities, such as games that can be enjoyed together, enhancing the overall experience. The welcoming atmosphere is particularly suitable for children, ensuring that young ones are well catered for. Additionally, the chalets provide a cozy and spacious environment, especially accommodating for larger families up to six members. Overall, it's a great place to bond with loved ones and spend quality time, particularly appealing in the summer months.
3 Star
Hogsback Arminel Hotel offers a satisfactory experience aligned with its three-star rating. Guests find the quality and amenities appropriate for a three-star establishment, describing their stay in terms like good, nice and expected for this category. The facilities and services provided meet the expectations for a hotel of this caliber, delivering a fulfilling experience that matches the three-star promise.
FAQ
Yes, Hogsback Arminel Hotel has pool(s) that belong to one or more of the following categories: Outdoor Pool.
No, a spa isn't available at Hogsback Arminel Hotel.
No, Hogsback Arminel Hotel doesn't allow dogs.
No, parking facilities aren't available at Hogsback Arminel Hotel.
