Come as a stranger, leave as a friend: Ocean View B&B Review
Port Edward boasts some incredible scenic landscapes and houses a nice blend of mountainscapes, gorges, beaches that deserve blue flag status, the world’s smallest desert, the Umtunvuna River and so many more amazing activities for the nature lover. This scenic vista is home to the Ocean View Bed and Breakfast which provides the perfect port of call when planning a trip to the area.
Port Edward, South African | Image by Chantelle Flores | www.kzaravisual.com
Guest houses vs hotels
I am not a huge fan of staying in hotels and generally avoid them because of the cost. I don’t see the point of paying over R1200 for a room regardless of how nice the hotel is, especially since the bulk of your day is spent exploring the area.
As an alternative, I opt for owner-run guesthouses that offer a more informal style of accommodation with limited availability. There are so many more benefits for me that outweigh your traditional hotel. I find that guest houses zone in on your individual needs, leaving you with a sense of belonging and offering you a more homely experience. You can expect to receive a superior level of service, where owners take more of a hands-on approach to ensure that you are content and comfortable. Traditional hotels are crowded as a result the staff is less likely to be concerned with your overall well-being. Guest houses also offer you an opportunity of meeting other like-minded solo travelers and business-minded individuals.
Port Edward, South African | Image by Chantelle Flores | www.kzaravisual.com
I have a very high expectation of what I expect when I travel to a guest house. The Ocean View B & B exceeded all these all expectations, and the saying “Arrive as a stranger, leave as a friend” speaks volumes for this unique establishment, I actually experienced a sense of loss when I departed, only because I had gained so much more than I could have ever imagined.
The Ocean View Experience
Peter and Theresa have turned their private residence into a 4 bedroom guesthouse that they have catered towards the business traveler, but if you are a solo traveler like me then this establishment is just perfect for you. It comes with a high rating to and is considered the top guest house amongst 12 in the Port Edward area.
Port Edward, South African | Image by Chantelle Flores | www.kzaravisual.com
Compared to a regular hotel suite, a room here almost has similar facilities but at a much lesser price. It costs as little as R650 for a single person and R900 for a couple. This rate includes your accommodation, a home-cooked breakfast, exceptional service, conversations with two new friends, and a lot of laughs until your tummy hurts.
Arrival & Check-in
I arrived late afternoon, rang the doorbell, and was welcomed with wide open arms by the owners and their two dogs who stood at the entrance awaiting in anticipation for my arrival. I had the same comfort and feeling of seeing a friend I hadn’t seen for a long time. It felt like I had returned home from a long international trip, and I was walking into my own welcome home party.
A middle-aged man sat in the dining area, and immediately I was drawn into his conversations about his game farm in Botswana. It suddenly dawned on me that this could have once been a guest, who have become friends over the years. I enjoyed the conversations so much, and when I checked again, the night was falling.
The Hosts
Business owners with an intense love for people, these two really stand apart from the rest with their hands on the hospitable service they offer. They go above and beyond to assist guests with any possible request they may have. There is nothing that is too much of a mission for them to do. They were friendly, warm, and kind, and had hours’ worth of stories to share. That evening they invited me for dinner. I told Peter that I was passionate about photographing waterfalls, and over a few drinks, he mapped out all the waterfalls along the Wildcoast for me. Theresa is motherly, ensuring that I was kept comfortable all the time. Conversations went late into the evening before I decided to turn in for the night.
The Accommodation – Great experience at lower costs
This is the kind of place where you can feel completely at home. From the ready-to-help reception to the casual beauty of the bedrooms which invite you to flop down and do a “comfort test” of the bed – making leaving the room to explore the area a rather tough choice in comparison! Each of the 4 rooms is individually decorated and airconditioned, with a queen bed, a 32inch flat TV, a bathroom with a shower and a corner bath, a coffee station, a safe, and a bar fridge which you can stock as you feel fit.
There is a communal swimming pool, lounge area, and bar area. You can relax on the terrace with a view of the ocean which was my absolute favourite spot to get in some work done.
The Catering
As the name suggests, a home-cooked hearty breakfast is part of your stay. Trevor stands in the kitchen and cooks up a storm. He prides himself in the breakfasts he makes for his guests before they start their day and delivers it to your ocean-view poolside terrace table he has set out for you. I enjoyed the breakfast so much, that I took them up on their invite for breakfast again, and returned even though I was spending the night at another establishment. At an additional cost, they can arrange lunches and dinners if you are in need, this is just one of the many ways that they go above and beyond to please their guests.
I was in the area for a week and was staying at a few different places during this time. Yet I spent the bulk of my time with this amazing couple, sharing in meals, and doing day outings together. I had to laugh and thought that they must have really liked me, and I joked that they had become my “adopted” Port Edward family. Theresa shared with me images of her children with pride-filled grins plastered across both their faces. Peter guided me to his computer desk, pulls out a chair, and shared with me hundreds of albums of all their adventures. These people crept into my heart in such a short space of time, and I can’t wait to visit them again soon!
Guest Feedback
Ocean View has been awarded a 4-star rating from the Tourism Grading Council of South Africa for the effort they have put into caring for each and every guest, and for the level of service that they put forth.
I was curious to know the other guest’s feedback so I snapped this shot of their visitor’s book. You can see for yourself, how many people have left with warm hearts!
They are rated highly on trip advisor to:
Get in touch
You can book your night stay here, or contact them at the below numbers:
Tel: (+27) (0) 39 – 3111652
Peter: (+27) (0) 836540321
Theresa: (+27) (0) 826540269
Don’t be disheartened if you can’t get a booking, they have an alternative space just up the road called Ashton Manor which offers guests a similar experience. You can contact them on the same numbers.
If you would like to have a look at some images first have a look here.
If you are looking at things to do in the area – try my top 10 favorites for a few ideas!
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