Budget Getaways Review
With a ringside view of the Laaiplek slipway and the comings and goings of the local fishing boats, you can't get closer to the action than the River House. In fact, any closer to the mouth of the Berg River and you would have to roll up the pants.
The River House, now three-star rated by TGCSA, is a luxuriously-fitted home, built in what's become quite typical 'West Coast'. With three bedrooms, one of them ensuite, it can sleep six in comfort. Never detracting from its setting, the general feel and decor befits a barefoot Huck Finn holiday by the river - although Huck himself no doubt had to do with something a little more modest.
Apart from simple, unluttered bedrooms with decent linen and mattresses, the many nice features you can expect include, both an indoor and outside braai (for that barbel the wife haggled for, while you and the kids took a paddle up the river), lots of fresh lime-washed furniture, cement screed floors, exposed white timber beams, cement-textured walls, a sunny loft area for time-out, gleaming silver kitchen appliances, (including a gas hob), and plenty of happy sunlight.
Unzipping the shutters, the living area spills onto a covered stoep and the Berg River itself.
What's provided? Linen, towels, little welcoming extras in the kitchen, DSTV and secure parking.
Since you're right in the thick of things, getting stuck into the local platter of activity is the easiest thing in the world. God made the Berg River for rowing in a canoe or kayak - from the house it's a short paddle to Port Owen; it's even possible to continue to Velddrif for lunch at one of the riverside eateries.
If you don't want to pay for your fish, you can step out of bed and try your luck for shad from the jetty directly in front of the house - talk about convenient!
When the south-westerly is up and running, kite surfers tend to appear from out the woodwork.
And then of course there's the incredible birdwatching along the Berg River, with several hides to help you along, plus frequent displays of spring flowers carpetting the usually arid West Coast landscape.
Appealing or what?