Collie Cottage♡

Guest review

6.0

The gas heater available for use. The wood fireplace inside and wood and firelighters were provided.

− I specifically booked the place because it said pet friendly and I arranged it ahead of time. When I got there Janet was unsure about how my dog would react to the cats. She later told me to keep my dog on leash everytime I take him outside to make sure her cats aren't outside before letting him off lead. There were no altercation between my dog and her cats but the whole situation left me feeling unwelcome and restricted. I ended up leaving very early in the mornings and only coming back very late at night to avoid any interaction. I booked Collie cottage over other options in the area because of the nice pictures with dogs running in the garden. On top of that my dog kept finding bones in the garden which I had to keep confiscating lest he chokes. The main gate was also always kept open which made me nervous thinking that my dog can just run out onto the street. I never left my dog unattended outside because of all the factors mentioned which left me unnecessarily on edge. The place itself is fine to stay at if a bit cramped but it is definitely not pet friendly and the booking website should change to reflect that. Booking.com also charged a non-optional R100 per night gas fee, which added an additional R600 to my stay, and there was still a gas-donation jar inside the house.

A Cozy, Quiet, and Charming Escape - Just What We Needed!

9.0

We had a wonderful stay at Collie Cottage. From the moment we arrived, the host was warm and welcoming, which made us feel right at home. The cottage was the perfect size for my husband and I - comfortable, cozy, and thoughtfully set up for a relaxing getaway. The kitchen and bathroom were well-equipped with everything we needed, and we especially appreciated the fireplace, with chopped wood and firelighters ready to use, such a thoughtful touch. We also made great use of the BBQ, which was an added bonus. The property felt safe, peaceful, and ideally located close to nearby attractions while still offering a quiet retreat. We truly enjoyed our break and would happily return.

− The stairs leading to and from the bedroom are a bit narrow, which may take some getting used to, but they are perfectly manageable and did not impact our stay at all. The hot water tank is on the smaller side, so it’s just something to plan around. We spaced our showers about 30 minutes apart, which worked well for us. The host does communicate this in advance, so we were well aware and prepared. It also helps to be mindful of how much hot water you use at a time. Don't open the hot water on full, that will make it run out faster due to the smaller tank. Overall, these are just small things to keep in mind rather than drawbacks. They didn’t take away from our experience, and we still had a wonderful and memorable stay.

Relaxed break away

10.0

Quietness and coziness

Guest review

9.0

Janet was an extremely welcoming and accommodating host! I was at Collie Cottage for 10 days, staying on my own. The property location is truly superb - scenic, quiet and walking distance to the pristine hiking and walking trails Clarens has on offer. I felt safe as a woman alone. Janet's cats are also a welcome treat too, really loved having them visit the cottage during my stay.

Guest review

9.0

Great place to unwind and explore Clarens from. Chairs and bed extremely comfortable. Loved the loft bedroom, just go up and down the stairs facing the same way.

− Not the best for home cooking. Fridge is a very awkward size (two shelves and bottom shelf you can't lie a steak flat due to compartments in the door). Only braai facilities I saw was a very small kettle braai. This is for noting rather than having been a problem whilst I was there. At this price point, you can afford to eat out more