General Info

The Gowan Valley Owners and Management reserves the right of admission of any guest and any visitor of any guest.

We look forward to hosting you. We are a family run establishment, with a great love for all that we do. Please feel free to leave a review on Google, our Facebook or Instagram. We love hearing from guests!

Check-in & Check-Out

  • Check-in is between 2:00 pm and 6:00 pm. If you are a Wedding guest and you are staying with us for one night only, please advise in advance If you need to check in sooner.
  • Check out is strictly by 10 am.

Arrival

When you arrive, please may you report to Reception at the River House - by now you will be in awe of the beauty that surrounds you. You will be greeted by a member of staff and possibly some of our friendly house dogs. The guest receiving this email acknowledges all of the below policy's and rules of our establishment, and that person will be required to to sign in for the household.

Meals

Breakfast is served between 08:00 am and 09:30 am. If you are leaving earlier, please chat to us, we will do our best to accommodate you. Please note we serve a delicious full cooked breakfast which includes pork – please let us know should we need to offer an alternative. Special dietary requirements need to be sent in response to this email please.

Lunch and Dinner

Absolutely NO cooking facilities are available and we are not able to provide any other meals other than Breakfast. However, There is a fridge, microwave, plates & cutlery that you are most welcome to use. There is a lovely area at the river where you are most welcome to picnic. Please bring your own goodies.

Room Amenities

  • Hairdryer/ Kettle with tea & coffee station/ Fans/ Heaters
  • General Guest House Amenities: Ironing board & iron/ Small Honesty Bar & Communal
  • Fridge/ Tea & Coffee station x 2 / Lounges with DSTV x2

Laundry

  • Please ask at reception. There is a charge for the washing of personal clothing.

Weather

  • Please check your favourite weather app for Balgowan before you depart. The weather in our area requires careful packing!

The River

Please take care when near the river, especially with your children. The volume of water fluctuates, as the river is controlled by pumps and cannot be predicted. This particular river is part of a Water Transfer Scheme and Loadshedding will effect the flow. Please pack your own swimming towels, our linens are not mud friendly.

Swimming pool

  • Please pack your own swimming towels.

Trail and Forest Walks

Pack your trainers, we have a lovely walk through our indigenous forest, along the river, through the kiwi field & anywhere else on the farm. Please enjoy the views, take care and take pics and tag us! This starts at Tent 1 and is around 4km. You are free to roam anywhere you wish on the property.

Breakages

Guests will be responsible for all breakages, shortages or loss occurred during their say, to any linen, furniture, effects and fittings contained in their room, or caused by them in or about the guest farm within reason.

Security

  • There is a guard on duty every night, either Edward or Justice, give them a 'Sawubona'!

Smoking

  • Please note all in-door/out-door areas are strictly no smoking.

Gratitude and Courtesy

For our amazing team of Cleaning ladies / groundsmen / security that work hard to make your stay great, you may add tips to your final bill. This may be paid by credit card or cash into our special 'piggy bank' at reception. He has everyone’s name on him! Please do not engage in any noisy activities after 10pm.

Where to eat for Dinner (please call to check availability)

  • La Lampara Restaurant | Italian food | Restaurant | Teen friendly 3.2 KM's | 082 416 0195
  • Caversham Mill Restaurant | Hearty Meals | Restaurant | Teen and Child friendly | 4.2 KM's | 082 389 1395
  • Granny Mouse Bistro | Hearty Meals | Bar and Grill | Teen friendly | 4.2 KM's | 033 234 4071
  • Post Postino | Italian food | Restaurant | Child-Friendly 16 KM's | 072 905 9390
  • Bierfassl | German cuisine | Pub and Restaurant | Child-friendly | 12 KM's | 033 266 6320
  • Nottingham Road Hotel | Hearty Meals | Bar and Grill | Child-friendly | 13 KM's | 033 266 6151
  • Rawdons Hotel | Hearty Meals | Pub and Restaurant | Teen friendly | 11 KM's | 033 266 6044
  • VdeV | Pizzas, Pastas and good wine | Bar and Grill | Teen friendly | 13 KM's | |081 018 0330

To enjoy in the day

  • Piggly Wiggly | great decor, clothing, food and train ride for the kids | 11 KM's |
  • The Junction | health shops, decor, good coffee, boutique toy shops and florist | 13 KM's
  • Meander Square | textiles, clothing, bakery and deli goods | 13 KM's
  • Blue Berry Cafe | everything Blue berries, 360 degree views of the Midlands, incredible plants, beautiful cows and lamas (18 KM's)
  • N2 Bakery | you wont be sorry, delicious treats! | 7.3KM's

A treat

  • Abingdon Wine Estate | fine dining for adults only | 15 KM's | 083 463 8503
  • Fordoun Spa | yoga, spinning, sauna, massages and skincare | 18 KM's | 033 266 6217
  • Brookdale Health Hydro | healthy living, dieticians, nutritionists, bodycare and beauty | 10 KM's | 033 266 6208
  • Indigo Fields Farmhouse and Spa | A complete bush experience with Private Boma treatments | 12 KM's | 033 266 6101
  • Granny Mouse Bistro | 4.2 KM's | 033 234 4071

Common-Law rights

Not withstanding Common Law rights, it is an express condition of occupancy of this resort that the Management is not responsible for loss or damage suffered by any guest to his person or property, whether arising from fire, theft, or wrongful act of any person or property, or otherwise, excepting such valuables handed to the Reception Office officials for safe keeping.
In the event of a guest being in breach of any of the foregoing conditions, or refusing to obey any request of the Management or committing a nuisance or any act which is, in the opinion of the Management, detrimental to the operation of the resort, the Management may forthwith terminate the accommodation of that guest and any persons accompanying that guest without prejudice to the right to recover any damages or loss sustained, including loss of income arising from the premature termination of the accommodation. The resort shall have a lien over the luggage, clothing and personal possessions of any guest in regard to any claim against the guest whatsoever.