We stayed at the Protea Hotel Riempie Estate from the 17th – 19th August 2009. My party consisted of two adults and two children (aged 10 and 8 years).

The thatched hut type accommodation whilst not spacious is at least clean. The two double beds were sufficient for a family of four (just). The only problem concerns soundproofing; you can hear your next door neighbour. However the rooms do represent good value budget accommodation.

The grounds contain a small playground which occupied the children for a while. Reception staff were very efficient and offered a welcome drink on arrival, which was appreciated. The evening buffet meal was a big disappointment. I have travelled the length and breadth of South Africa over the past decade and this meal at Protea Riempie Estate was the worst I can remember. The selection was very limited and fairly bland. On our second night we walked down the road in the direction of central Oudtshoorn. A few hundred yards away on Baron Van Heerde Street we came across the Swiss Bistro. This place turned out to be an inspiring find, rather unpretentious, plastic table cloths, roaring log fire, and most importantly lots of South Africa game meat on the menu. The food was excellent and inexpensive.

The Protea Riempie Estate is a good base for exploring the countryside around Oudtshoorn, such as the Cango Caves or Ostrich Farms.

Quirky hotel with a series of individual thatched huts standing in immaculate grounds.

Friendly reception staff and room was OK, albeit some of the room furniture was a little dated and showing its age...

All was well until late afternoon when our neighbours on one side arrived with one small dog that remained sight unseen but proceeded to yap its way through the evening and half the night... and half an hour later the guests arrived on the other side with some giant 4 legged beast that proceeded to race around the grounds with 3 or 4 screaming kids in tow.

Maybe we were unlucky but reading the room directory which states that only guide dogs are allowed, in practice this is clearly not the case.

Was a little aprehensive about this hotel given it is cheap and looked to be not like your normal hotel !

Was pleasently surprised however... Checkin was easy, the staff on the front desk were very friendly and we were given the key to our suite

Each "room" is a thatched hut, so you have your own little space! Very spacious and roomy inside. It was clean and comfortable with everything you could need

The estate had a nice swimming pool where staff came out and offered a waited service for drinks which was a nice touch. We eat in the restaurant which offered a full 3 course buffet for under £10 each, and the food was very good including the chance to try ostrich ! Again service was good

The only downside of the hotel is that it appeared to be popular with tour groups. Although not initially a problem, at 6:30am we heard quite a bit of noise (the thatched roofs are not the best insulators) which was the tour buses packing up and getting ready to go

Other than that a great hotel in a perfect location for exploring the garden route. We took the Route 62 from Cape Town to get there, and would highly recommend this way, it is much more scenic than the N2 down the Garden Route

This hotel was a really nice surprize.

Most hotels conmprise of square room but here you get asmall round house(bungalow?) instead. Apparently this is how villigers live so you can try the African experience. For those who are new to the region it is real fun to try and stay a few nights here.

I have found the round houses cute. I have never stayed in anything quite like this before.

The food, however was not great as they offered the local cuisine but that is an experience worth trying. Ostrich meat was on the menu.