Qambathi Mountain Lodge

I spent 2 nights here in late August 2025 in the Stable Room, apparently an upgrade, for a total of R10 200, DB&B. The lodge is clearly upmarket and very much above the usual berg resorts (exclusive, no children) - and at that price so it should be. The design of the lodge is very attractive, and the owners have clearly spent a lot of time and money on it. My room was enormous, with a huge and luxuriously fitted bathroom and a pleasant deck. Good linen and soaps etc. The lounge and dining areas are well appointed. There is a small pool on the deck too. The food was very good. Breakfasts very hearty and generous. Dinners, a 4-course affair, were well executed and very tasty. All in all, it was a lovely break and a pleasant surprise. The youthful and energetic staff are committed and obliging, Limdani, Siya and Ngobile especially. There are, however, a few rough edges which a lodge of this quality needs to sort out. I offer these criticisms in best possible spirit. The bed in the Stable room (in which Tom Cruise is once said to have slept) is a very low wooden platform which extends beyond the mattress for about 40 cm on either side. This makes it exceptionally uncomfortable getting in and out of bed. Behind the headboard is an unsightly dustbowl at least 50cm away from the wall. There are no plug points on either side of the bed, or even close by - which is now standard at any hotel, the bedside tables also perching precariously on the silly platform. Why it is necessary to have such a ridiculous contraption for a bed is beyond me, although the mattress itself is very good. Please hey rid of it! The westward view from the lodge and the rooms is directly onto a rather non-descipt hill, beyond a large patch of lawns and scrub. Kamberg lacks the views of dramatic peaks and valleys one gets in other parts of the berg. This is just an unfortunate feature of the area, as are the ubiquitous potholes and dongas in the roads leading to the lodge - all of which makes it very trying once one leaves the N3. The poverty of the view is not enhanced, in my opinion, by the peculiar hanging chairs on the decks of the rooms which are very ungainly to look at and very uncomfortable to sit in. A normal, comfortable set of armchairs would suffice. There is no need for these gimmicks. The staff, as charming and delightful d they are, made loud and disruptive conversation in the kitchen while i was eating, probably unaware of how the noise carried into the dining room. One really does not want to hear this constant racket over the carefully chosen background music! The pool filter makes a loud and continuous mechanical noise which materially distracts from the silence, peace and quiet of the lounge area and deck, and the overall serenity of the atmosphere. It should be set to run from late at night until early in the morning, not from the morning to the evening! Stephen and Nadia have definitely created a unique and lovely place but it requires some attent

What a wonderful experience! From the moment we arrived and in fact even before ,the service was outstanding. Be sure to go hungry as the food is amazing! This a a real “Treasure” and we are thrilled with the experience. Siya is a star and we had some great chats with him. The Chefs were a delight. Also visit the Highmoor in the Maloti World Heritage site with a suitable vehicle. Magnificent! Thanks to all and keep up the good work! Highly recommended. Harold and Julie Barnard