Quick Facts
E 19°02'44''
Budget Getaways Review
The Baths claims to be “the Western Cape’s best kept secret” but you would never say so over weekends. Established way back in 1739 and purchased much later by one James McGregor at a Grand Parade auction, The Baths is a small family-owned resort of Victorian-styled buildings crammed into a bushy kloof. The resort is known far and wide for its 43° springs that are well worth a recuperative wallow after a week under the whip of a sadistic boss.
There is a variety of accommodation to choose from, much of it arranged in a get-to-know-thy-neighbour circle around the carpark – 16 chalets and 18 flats with self-contained kitchens and braai areas, and a basic campsite for 20 tents or caravans. For a memorable experience we reckon leave the tent at home and splash out on a fully equipped chalet or a less private but still attractive flat. Most private are the free-standing chalets situated in a kloof of their own just outside the main resort. These range from two- to six-sleepers and feature fireplaces.
Choosing among the flats is really a matter of personal preference. If its character you like, go for the Victorian-styled units, whereas if you like things new and are happy to pay a bit more, those in the The Olsen Building are for you. With a Jetmaster and private outdoor bath, these units are the closest thing to luxury at The Baths. All said and done, whatever option you go for, it will be comfortable and simply but tastefully furnished.
The general layout at The Baths is fairly intimate and the atmosphere over weekends inescapably ‘resort’, but in a low-key sort of way. Management’s emphasis on peace and quiet helps matters, as does the fact that most people who come here endorse a similar principle. During the week The Baths is altogether more tranquil and you won’t have to share your hot water with too many other of our species.
In addition to the pleasure of hot and cold-water swimming pools, outdoor baths and a series of terraced rock pools in the kloof, other pastimes at this pleasant getaway include tennis, hiking trails, birdwatching, a licensed restaurant and other resort standards like a trampoline and kiddies playground.
"Myself and my family absolutly LOVE The Baths. It is the most serene and beautiful resort in the whole Western Cape. It has so much to offer for such an affordable rate, we have stayed in almost all the accommodation they have to offer: Olsen Building, Dwarsegebou, The Flats, Outside Chalets and campsites and have always found them to be more than satisfactory. It really saddens me to read unhappy reviews and petty complaints about this wonderful place considering all the joy it has always given us. We are going on another trip there this coming weekend and cannot wait to spend a few days in utter BLISS! Thank you for such a wonderful getaway destination :)"
(visited January 2012)
"DITTO on Jean Smith's comments!!! Wish I read her review before. We also ended up staying in the chalets, W Danster, and what she described is still true. The only thing that I can add, is the bed mattress that was in the unit, is way beyond it's time. They could not replace it the first night, but replaced it the next day with a slightly better mattress. After the second night I woke up with back ache (which I never suffered from before). Lucky we could move to the new honeymoon suite in the Olsen Building (at additional cost). The difference was like chalk and cheese. There is so much going for the place that it is a pity that some of the accommodation is such a let down. The W Danster should not be offered as accommodation (even budget) until it has been upgraded! And please attend to the road from the office to the Dwarsgebou."
(visited December 2011)
Getaway Reply
"We do appreciate the client's feedback and it is important to us to try and satisfy our customer's needs. Concerning the mattress, I did apologize to the client and offered him a replacement.If we do get more than 1 complaint about a specific unit's mattress , we definitely withdraw the mattress and replace it with a brand new if we have stock. (Otherwise , as soon as possible.) We are busy with upgrading some of our units every year and I will put the chalet Willem Danster on our priority list for next year."
(Manie Gordon - manager)
"This is a rough diamond. Unfortunately, the accommodation leaves much to be desired. The restaurant is very good and the staff bright and friendly. The setting is really beautiful and the hot water pool fantastic. That's about it unfortunately. The accommodation in the chalets, W Danster, was mediocre in the 50's and not updated except for the price. The furnishing is simple but not tasteful. The chalet was dirty on booking in with the beds and bedding smelly. The dishes had to be rewashed before use and the toilet and shower facilities, accessed via a broom cupboard which doubles as a second bedroom, needed urgent attention. (If your child is over 3 you are not allowed a 2 sleeper unit.) I realise it is self catering but expect that the floors and interior walls be clean, no dust or cobwebs hanging from the ceiling, some tasteful and clean furniture and fittings and the shower to be clean. The Royal hotel in Garies has more appeal! The braai area is no longer private with flats overlooking the chalet and is a dusty piece of earth with a half drum on a barrow frame. But they do have DSTV for that game. Their brochures and website also need to be updated. And could they please scrape the road before someone twists their ankle again on that surface? The WATER though, whether from the taps or in the pools, is fantastic!"
(visited May 2011)
Getaway Reply
"I am aware the unit Willem Danster needs upgrading.
It is the most central to all facilities, Restaurant with DSTV, hot pools, spa baths and secure parking. Bearing in mind that this was a weekend rate, as budget accommodation for this four sleeper unit at R237.19 p/p/n including vat, it is good value and very popular. It has a sliding door through to a bunk room and another sliding door through to a standard toilet and shower. If the accommodation was dirty and dishes unwashed, the client is required to report it to the management immediately so that we can follow up as it is the duty of house keeper to check all the units before they are let.They only reported it the day when they left.
Unfortunately we did not have any three-sleepers available, and we do not hire out two-sleepers to three persons."
(Manie Gordon - manager)
"Great getaway; it is very special and the hot-water pools are just to my liking! Children love it. I do wish the staff would clean your place and dishes - for the price it should be part of the service; or at least make it an optional extra cost item."
(visited September 2009)
"I'm afraid it definitely was not the best place I've ever been at. We're stayed in the Olsen Building. There's not much play area for the kids. Just a sad looking trampoline and swing thing. Unless I am ill-informed on other areas of the resort. Overall, a pleasant place to be although it would've been nice to know about the following before hand: a) For the outside bath (not jacuzzi) bring your own bubble bath; b) If you don't wash your own dishes and pack them away before you check-out you lose your R50 deposit. Only saw this notice when we got there; c) There's no cellphone reception and no phones in the room so you need to walk to the restaurant or reception to book anything. OK, so I might appear to be a bit lazy, believe me I'M NOT. I figured I came here for a holiday, so I expect a little convenience if you know what I mean. Oh, and the air-conditioner is really annoying. Didn't get much peaceful sleep."
(visited May 2009)
"We made use of their wonderful campsite in peak season. Despite the resort being filled to capacity we never once felt crowded. Fantastic staff and facilities, and all wrapped in a picturesque setting. We honestly could not have asked for more. Highly recommended!!"
(visited December 2007)
"What a lovely place. The staff are friendly, everything is clean. All i can say is WOW. I will be back!"
(visited December 2007)
"It is always a pleasure to visit The Baths. The facilities are always clean and neat. No matter what time of year you go, there are never crowds of people. A lovely place, highly recommended for a family with small children."
(visited March 2006)
"This has been my favourite getaway so far and it is most definitely value for money! I stayed in the Taaibos cottage and that is by far the best cottage at The Baths."
(visited April 2005)
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Where You'll Also Find Us
Arniston (Waenhuiskrans) • Barrydale • Beaufort West • Betty's Bay • Bonnievale • Bot River • Bredasdorp • Caledon • Calitzdorp • Cape Agulhas and Struisbaai • Cape Town area • Ceres • Citrusdal • Clanwilliam & Cederberg • Darling • De Rust • Franschhoek • Gansbaai • George • Grabouw & Elgin Valley • Greyton • Heidelberg • Hermanus • Knysna • Ladismith • Laingsburg • Lamberts Bay • Langebaan • Malgas • Matjiesfontein • McGregor • Montagu • Mossel Bay • Napier • Oudtshoorn • Paarl • Paternoster • Plettenberg Bay • Prince Albert • Pringle Bay, Betty's Bay and Kleinmond • Riebeek West and Riebeek-Kasteel • Riversdale • Riviersonderend • Robertson • St Helena Bay • Stanford • Stilbaai • Strand, Gordon's Bay and Somerset West • Swellendam • Tulbagh • Velddrif • Vermaaklikheid • Wilderness • Witsand • Worcester & Hex Valley • Yzerfontein • Baviaanskloof • Cape St Francis & St Francis Bay • East London • Graaff-Reinet • Hogsback • Jeffreys Bay • Makhanda (Grahamstown) • Middelburg • Nieu-Bethesda • Rhodes • Sutherland