Rawdons Hotel & Brewery

The hotel is in a great location but clearly the owners have not invested in this property in years. The rooms and common areas are tired and in some cases carpets are dirty and seem well past replacement age. The curtains in the room were also tired and did not pull properly and the soft furnishings were worn. There is no excuse in this day and age for no internet access in the bedrooms, all the guest in our party complained about this. The breakfast is ok with the eggs being consistently over cooked. When in the common areas there seems to be little sensitivity of guests with staff and management often conversing loudly. Other issues are a lack of room safes and bar fridges as well are poor heating in the room. One to avoid as there are far better options that do not suffer these problems in the area.

We had lunch at the very English pub called Boar's Head. We loved the atmosphere, especially as there was a huge storm raging outside. It was the perfect setting to have a curry and we really enjoyed both the food and the ambiance of the Boar's Head Pub. I personally love old and quaint hotels like this and the gardens are beautiful.

It is a very nice country estate. The hotel is showing its age and while it is nice to preserve things it could benefit from an update. Many of the floors creak and I was woken twice by people walking down the corridor. Some of the common rooms and dining room are very dated and showing their age. My room was comfortable with a nice bathroom and comfortable bed.

Beautiful bedrooms and living areas. We were at No. 2. Could do with a lick of paint on the exterior walls.No aircons or heaters in bedrooms, just underfloor heating. Was great to have electric blankets. Had to request for a hairdryer multiple times, but carry your own 2 pin adapter. Bathroom tiles need a good scub, grubby floors and mats.Towels, bedding were clean, fluffy and white. Buy your own extra wood in the midst of winter for the the fireplace/braai.

On our trip through the Natal Midlands we stopped for lunch at Boar's Head Pub for lunch. Besides a stunning setting they offer a wide variety of home brewed beer and Gin. The grilled trout was delicious. They handled our large group well.

I have had a love affair with Rawdons since it opened in 1956. Through many changes it is still my go-to place whenever means and circumstances permit. This time my husband and I celebrated a birthday and a wedding anniversary and stayed for 3 nights. Our room was simply gorgeous, looking out onto the velour lawn and the lake in front, rose bushes to the left and fuschias to the right. We didn't want to get up off the padded seat in the bay window. My husband would have liked to take the shower back home! The staff were unobtrusive, dignified, competent and obliging. The grounds are in immaculate condition and an unending joy in every direction. We loved the 'private' pool area. Breakfast was indeed the proverbial fit for a king. I got the impression that the maintenance of the outdoors is of more concern than that of the rooms. Our beautiful room had three stains on the carpet, two missing screws to secure the opening windows, damage to a support strut under the table (a piece missing) and a big hole in one of the magnificent curtains. None of which detracted from our enjoyment of our stay. I was quite reluctant to leave and could have happily stayed for the next three nights.