Surval Boutique Olive Estate

What a beautiful estate with super-helpful staff (special mention to Andre)! We arrived after driving through a rain storm all the way from Barrydale. We must have been the jinx as the storm had followed us and quickly drenched an entire wedding party who had chosen this beautiful venue for their special day! We stayed in Nyon which was a superior upstairs room in the last two-story building. We loved the room even if we did not get to enjoy the veranda as much as we had hoped (and also had to cancel the star-gazing we had been looking forward to due to the storm). The next day, the weather was back to hazy sun and very warm temperatures and we enjoyed time by one of the two lovely pools. Breakfast included a good spread and our one evening meal at Su Casa was very good with my trying the Botijie and hubby sampling some very delicious ostrich steak. If you get a chance, drive the couple of minutes to Buffelsdrift to enjoy dinner there – just for the setting and spectacular sunset clouds! We can also recommend Cango Caves, the Ostrich show farm on the way to the caves and the Ostrich Emporium in town for those must-have souvenirs. A thoroughly delightful accommodation (even more so if you’re an olive enthusiast!)

This hotel is situated quite remotely down a track. The gardens and outside areas are very attractive and the rooms and shower/toilet areas are quite luxurious! However there is a lack of information on arrival and very slow service in the restaurant. After eating our breakfast we were advised we could have a cooked breakfast and at breakfast time was advised we could have had a 3 course meal the night before!!!! The guy on reception advised us he had booked evening meal at the local ostrich farm where we were visiting however when we arrived they apparently knew nothing about it!! All in all these issues took away from what could have been a very nice stay!!

Only 10km from the main town you will find this amazing oasis. The interior is modern and well maintained. Large and comfortable rooms. Perfect located to visite all the main attractions in the area. We did the Cango Caves and Ostrich farm that was only a few minutes away. They have a back-up generator so no loadshedding! The restaurant speaks for itself with it's delicious food and service. We had the best muesli and ommelette at breakfast. Nothing is to much of a request. We hope to return in Desember 2024.

Tranquil place to relax and enjoy the beautiful scenery. Our room was clean, large and airy. The wide bathroom area had a a separate WC, shower, bath tub and his and hers wash basins. We enjoyed the space. The Manager was very pleasant, helpful and friendly; however the serving staff made us feel like we were an inconvenience during both our dinner and breakfast. That said, we would still go back and stay there as it was truly a beautiful place.

We did a lot of travelling around South Africa and had only had top class service and experiences - until we got to Surval. Receptionist unhelpful - gave us no information about activités in or around the hotel - not even their own Olive tasting ( which we were keen to do) - or even a map of surrounding with the 5km route marked out (we had to find that ourselves). Our room was very average. Lots of cockroaches, which we kept finding in our shoes and cases. Shower door didn’t close properly, loo roll holder broken, 4 coat hangers between two of us. A paper napkin for a flannel (just don’t bother at all rather than that!), fridge that barely worked, safe with no instructions (we discovered you had to use other key on room key - would have saved us a lot of working out if told) , battered old chairs stuck outside room in the corridor (outside shared balcony) for your ‘balcony’. Swimming pools filthy and permanently had the ‘hoovers’ in them so you couldn’t swim in them properly anyway. Towels thrown on the few sun loungers in morning and you had to hunt down more if they had been used. No one around pools to ask for anything. Tea/coffee not replenished in room Had to ask for cutlery etc each evening meal. Food very average Sauce bottle tops filthy and sticky Cereal stale Staff just stand around and really not interested in you Service very slow - one table next to us at breakfast waited nearly an hour for their cooked order and in the end gave up and left. No help offered with bags Only saving grace was the receptionist on our last day who actually asked us how our stay had been (Andre) There are far nicer places who actually Might care - try Prince Albert - we had lunch in a lovely hotel called the Swartberg there. They had a beautiful (and clean!) pool and friendly and polite service.

This month, I went with my family to stay at Surval for a night, as were visiting the Cango Caves next day on our way to Knysna. We were 5 people ( including our driver). We arrived around 5pm in the evening and left mid-morning next day. We were greeted by a pleasant receptionist and shown to our rooms after showing us the dining area. The rooms had modern decor and looked to be recently renovated. They were spacious. What took our breath away was the view surrounding the hotel. We were amazed at how quite and peacful the surrounding were. It immediately relaxed us as we had just left the husle and busle of Cape Town. We were looking forward to having a relaxing dinner and breakfast next day before we get on the raad again. However, we were in for a disappointment! Our dinner order was taken 20 mins after we arrived and then it took them even more longer to bring our food. My uncle who needs to eat at certian time in order take his medication did not bother to order as the staff was taking so long. Considering there were only two other tables full, I was surprised with the staff's tardiness. Next morning, the breakfast served was continental. When my aunt went to get milk, she noticed that the milk had gone sour. I was amazed that the staff had not noticed this. Then, when I brought this to their attention, there was no apology or a thank you for informing them. In end I would say, that if you are looking for a place to rest then Surval is for you as it provides beautiful mountain views and the rooms are very comfortable. However, if you are looking for excellent service then I would not recommend this hotel for you. Overall, I would rate a 3 star.

Host Handre was excellent and very professional. He made me feel at home immediately and offer personal assistance though he was very busy. Venue extremely well kept with welcoming staff. I highly recommend Surval and Handre in particular