Irene Country Lodge Disaster

We booked the ultimate romance package at Irene Country Lodge, inclusive of certain activities like 2x full body massages. We were contacted before our stay to pre-book and confirm time slots for the activities. Imagine our shock at checkout when they tell us we need to pay for the massages because they were not part of the package. And then they ask US to provide proof that the massages were indeed part of the package… *laugh with me* Ps. it’s on their website. Also, imagine our disappointment at checkout (checkout from hell) when they told us that breakfast closed at 9am!! Could you not have told us this when we checked-in?? This is not even the industry standard!!

The food provided and served (whether buffet or from the a la carte menu was disappointing, at best. The beef stew served on 12/06/2021 was charred; the previous night’s pork belly was repurposed and served the following day - that was very obvious! They don’t cater for non-alcohol drinking adults except for JC Le Roux sparkling wine… at R260 per bottle. That’s more than 100% profit margin!! And of course we couldn’t partake in the wine/gin tasting (which was inclusive) instead we were offered milkshakes as an alternative. There’s so many non-alcohol options in the market including de-alcoholised wine and gin…do better!!

The picnic offering is a dismal attempt. Firstly there’s only one decent picnic spot by the lake (first come first serve I guess); other spots have no shade so you would think that they’ll provide an umbrella or something right? Nope, they don’t. Infact the only picnic equipment they provide is a bite-size blanket and basket. No cushions, no cute accessories and/or decor. Not even a stable platform to balance the glasses. The food was COLD and squashed into the dirty (stained) basket. I took two bites of the chicken slider and realised the patti was RAW!! Also, the only form of drink they include is water- in those “re-usable” bottles. No juice, no sparkling/still water. And no one seems to know where/how clients can get their complaints addressed. This whole experience left a sour taste in my mouth… and this is after not even getting breakfast! So sour taste and empty stomach!!