We spent four nights at Jantinga at the end of our holiday in South Africa. We wanted somewhere to chill out after a fairly hectic holiday. This place really hit the mark.
The hotel is quiet, a little run down but in a nice sort of way. Everything about the place was comfortable and service from all the staff was second to none.
It was obvious there had been issues with the hotel but a new young couple had just taken over the role as managers and there are a lot of improvements going on. The managers were hard working and went out of their way to see that we were happy.
Much has been said about the menu's here but that is changing with new a la carte menus being planned, a new extensive wine list and improvements to rooms and the wonderful gardens.
Each afternoon we enjoyed fresh baked scones and tea and then sherry and canapes were delivered to our room prior to dinner. Breakfast was wonderful.
We did not feel the need to go anywhere whilst at Jantinga, we walked in the gardens, read and generally enjoyed the surroundings.
The hotel does lots of weddings and if anyone wanted to get married in a peaceful setting before then going on to the Kruger for a great honeymoon I could recommend this place.
It is also close (10 minutes) from Nelspruit Airport so a great stopover if you have just arrived in South Africa or are just leaving.
This hotel is a little gem. The staff are fantastic and Godfrey the duty manager an absolute gentleman. Don't take my word for it though - give Jatinga a try.

My husband and I stayed in this hotel for one night in late September, and had a very satisfactory stay. Our room was large, clean, comfortable, and beautifully-decorated, with an extraordinary bathroom with a huge stone bath and separate shower. We used the hotel as a stopover, so we didn't see much of the gardens, although they looked lovely. Breakfast was good, and had all the standards we found in other hotels in South Africa.

My only big complaint would be dinner. They market themselves as a gourmet establishment, but we encountered the same terrible menu the last reviewer mentioned - hake and chips for a main course doesn't make a gourmet meal! However, when we said we really didn't want so much, they served us one course from the lunch menu, which was much cheaper (although it was mediocre when it came). Their explanation for why they had gone to this reduced menu was financial - we thought many hotels looked under-occupied, and I think this place is suffering from the drop in tourism. I think this would have been much more of an issue if we had stayed more than one night, but as it was, it didn't really bother us.

In it's literature, this hotel styles itself as a five star, but TripAdvisor's rating of three star is far more accurate. The rooms are spacious and well appointed, the bathrooms large and airy and the gardens old and extensive so physically the hotel rates very highly. Unfortunately the property is badly managed and maintained so it fails to impress. The restaurant serves a three course fixed menu of hopelessly overpriced and unimaginative food (Tomato & Mozzarella Salad, Hake and Chips and Ice Cream for R190pp!). A trip in the dark along the gravel road to White River for dinner will be required and this is particularly irksome. Breakfast on the other hand was very good but beware the "complimentary tea and scones" which are charged for. Housekeeping is excellent and the junior F&B staff are friendly and helpful. However, reception is generally devoid of staff or service. There is no internet access at the hotel and no 3G coverage, so staying in contact also requires a drive to White River.

Stupendously nice, very spacious room no 10, decorated in "Provencal' style. All rooms are decorated differently. Huge stone bath and bathroom. Everything was spotlessly clean and worked. TV had varous satellite channels which should appease most guests. Grounds are well maintained and the amble to the River is really pretty. Seems to be a birdwatchers paradise. The lodge and verandah are old fashioned, large settees and comfortable armchairs, like a colonial throwback. There are free scones and tea at 4.00 p.m., and a pre dinner snack and sherry at 6.00p.m delivered to your room. Dinner on the first night was almost a complete disaster, but ultimately Stephen the young Manager on duty, took charge and got it sorted out. However, serving a hot dish cold and overcooked steaks should just not happen in a 5 Star establishment. Breakfasts are wonderful though, and a little different, with fruit and cold meats served on a 3 tier tray, then cooked breakfast consists of whatever you desire.
In all a wonderful place to sit back, read a book, write a book, paint something or just plain relax. A luxury few of us can afford.