Unbelievable Self-Catering in Graaff-Reinet: Stemar Awaits!
Unbelievable Self-Catering in Graaff-Reinet: Stemar Awaits!
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because we're about to dive headfirst into the… well, let's just call it the "Unbelievable" experience at Stemar Awaits in Graaff-Reinet. And trust me, it's a ride. Forget those sterile hotel reviews; this is the real, unfiltered deal, warts and all (and hopefully, more warts in a good way).
First off, the Basics: Accessible? Yes, Mostly. (But Let's Get Real…)
Accessibility is always a biggie for me. I've seen enough "accessible" rooms that clearly weren't designed by anyone who actually uses a wheelchair. Thankfully, Stemar seems to be making a legit effort… (Accessibility, Wheelchair accessible, Facilities for disabled guests). They mention it, which is a good start. But let's be honest: I wouldn't guarantee a fully wheelchair-accessible experience across the entire property, because let be real it depends on each individual space, and I am not the one who saw it physically. So, call ahead, ASK QUESTIONS, and get specific about your needs. I'm guessing there are some accommodations, but don’t assume perfection.
The Tech and Wi-Fi Saga… Or, Can I Actually Get Some Work Done? (Internet Access, Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!, Internet, Internet [LAN], Internet services, Wi-Fi in public areas, Laptop workspace):
This is vital, right? We're living in the age of remote work, and I'm pretty sure my sanity depends on a stable internet connection. Free Wi-Fi in all Rooms! That's the headline, thank goodness. But the real test is always the speed and reliability. And I also am not sure if it is available in all rooms! I'd be checking those reviews, seeing if people were happy. There's also Internet [LAN] which, if you're a die-hard LAN lover, you, my friend, might just be in heaven. But again, check the reviews. No one wants to spend their vacation staring at a buffering icon!
*(I am personally not a fan of the LAN. I am too used to the wireless. I'll go, "what *is* this thing? Is anyone still using this?!")*
Cleanliness and Safety: The COVID Factor (Anti-viral cleaning products, Breakfast in room, Breakfast takeaway service, Cashless payment service, Daily disinfection in common areas, Doctor/nurse on call, First aid kit, Hand sanitizer, Hot water linen and laundry washing, Hygiene certification, Individually-wrapped food options, Physical distancing of at least 1 meter, Professional-grade sanitizing services, Room sanitization opt-out available, Rooms sanitized between stays, Safe dining setup, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, Shared stationery removed, Staff trained in safety protocol, Sterilizing equipment, CCTV in common areas, CCTV outside property,Check-in/out [express],Check-in/out [private],Non-smoking rooms, Safety/security feature, Security [24-hour], Smoke alarms, Soundproof rooms):
Okay, let's face it, are we living in a pandemic? YES. So cleanliness is absolutely top of mind. Stemar appears to be taking this seriously. Daily disinfection, professional sanitizing; individually wrapped food, and staff trained in safety protocols is a good start. The devil, as always, is in the details. Do they actually deliver? (Side note: Room sanitization opt-out? That's a bold choice. I'd personally feel more secure if they’re taking the effort). I would absolutely read recent reviews on this. Nothing would make me more nervous than checking in and seeing a dust bunny the size of a small dog. Thank goodness I'm not the only one who is paranoid.
Breakfast, Dining, and the "Wow" Factor (A la carte in restaurant, Alternative meal arrangement, Asian breakfast, Asian cuisine in restaurant, Bar, Bottle of water, Breakfast [buffet], Breakfast service, Buffet in restaurant, Coffee/tea in restaurant, Coffee shop, Desserts in restaurant, Happy hour, International cuisine in restaurant, Poolside bar, Restaurants, Room service [24-hour], Salad in restaurant, Snack bar, Soup in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant, Western breakfast, Western cuisine in restaurant):
This is where things get interesting. A buffet? Asian Cuisine? Happy Hour? Mmm…maybe. Restaurants and a coffee shop are always welcome. The fact that they have a variety on offer is good. The Room service [24-hour] – is massive. That’s perfect, especially if you are like me and have jet lag and cravings at 3am. Oh yes.
Here's my take: check what's offering breakfast, that's a pretty low bar, in my opinion. And read THE reviews. What do people actually say about the food? Is it a culinary experience, or just fuel? I'd probably take the alternative meal arrangement, just in case, who knows what the place itself is offering and if they are offering something new out of the ordinary.
Relaxation and "Me Time" (Body scrub, Body wrap, Fitness center, Foot bath, Gym/fitness, Massage, Pool with view, Sauna, Spa, Spa/sauna, Steamroom, Swimming pool, Swimming pool [outdoor]):
Okay, I am going to be honest: this is a game changer for me. A pool with a view? A sauna? It actually sounds amazing. The pool, in particular, is my major draw. The idea of lounging poolside, sipping a cocktail, and letting the world melt away? Yes, please. Mmm… The Spa and Sauna? I am always a fan of a good steam room to work out the kinks. Though, again, you gotta check the reviews. A “pool with a view” can be a very different reality (and view) than what one expects.
"Things to do, ways to relax" (Additional Activities):
I am not entirely sure what else they have to offer. I would assume it. If not, I will bring a book or something!
Services and Conveniences: The Secret Sauce (Air conditioning in public area, Audio-visual equipment for special events, Business facilities, Cash withdrawal, Concierge, Contactless check-in/out, Convenience store, Currency exchange, Daily housekeeping, Doorman, Dry cleaning, Elevator, Essential condiments, Facilities for disabled guests, Food delivery, Gift/souvenir shop, Indoor venue for special events, Invoice provided, Ironing service, Laundry service, Luggage storage, Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings, Meeting stationery, On-site event hosting, Outdoor venue for special events, Projector/LED display, Safety deposit boxes, Seminars, Shrine, Smoking area, Terrace, Wi-Fi for special events, Xerox/fax in business center):
I guess you can say this is the catch-all category. Honestly, the Contactless check-in/out is genius right now. The Air conditioning in public areas (thank god!) and Daily housekeeping, are must-haves. I’m also a sucker for a good Concierge service. Like, "Hey, can you find me the best little cafe in town?" (and a doorman… I love a doorman! It's pure luxury. And makes me feel very important, even though I am not) Mmm.
For the Kids (Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, Kids meal):
This part is a bit tricky. They mention kids facilities, babysitting etc. But I'd need specifics. This is only important if you are travelling with the little ones.
The Rooms: The Make-or-Break (Additional toilet, Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Interconnecting room(s) available, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Safety/security feature, Satellite/cable channels, Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens):
Okay, rooms… this is personal. Absolutely personal. They have the basics, which is good. But I am not sure if there is an ocean view or not. It's about what matters to you. For me, it's:
- Blackout curtains: Absolutely crucial if you're trying to sleep in.
- Good Wi-Fi: (See above)
- A decent shower with hot water. (Trust me, you want to double-check the hot water situation. I've been betrayed before).
- A coffee/tea maker. (This is essential).
- A decent bed (extra long would be great!).
**Getting Around (Airport transfer,
Unbelievable Ming Dynasty Treasure Hidden in This Keelung Home!
Alright, buckle up, buttercups. This ain't your glossy brochure itinerary. This is me, about to wrestle with a week in Graaff-Reinet, South Africa, at Stemar Self Catering. Lord have mercy… or rather, make it a good trip.
Day 1: Arrival & Dust Bunnies (and a Shocking Lack of Tea)
- Morning: Finally! After what felt like an eternity crammed in a plane, touched down in… well, somewhere. Got the rental car, a little beat-up bakkie I promptly named “The Wanderer”, because, you know, dramatic. The drive to Graaff-Reinet was… meh. Long stretches of Karoo, all sun-baked and beige. Don’t get me wrong, scenic in its own way, but mostly just… there. Thought about pulling over for a spontaneous photoshoot by a windmill, then remembered I need to actually find this Stemar place.
- Afternoon: Arrived at Stemar. Okay, cute enough. The little cottage looked… promising, pictures lied a little. Found the key (yay!), and unlocked the front door.
- Detour: The "well-equipped self-catering" claim was… stretching it. Found a teapot, but the kettle… absent. Panic. How can a Brit survive without tea?! Hunted through the kitchen, rifling through cupboards like a caffeine-deprived raccoon. Nope. Nada. Zilch. This is a CRISIS.
- Late Afternoon: Ended up driving around, the town is very small.. Found a Spar, grabbed some tea (obviously!), and a few snacks, and all the while, I had the nagging feeling I'd forgotten something.
- Evening: Unpacked, vaguely familiar with the layout, and sat down with my first cuppa. Pure bliss. The dust bunnies, they did not bring any joy. They are plentiful, but I will not surrender.
Day 2: Valley of Desolation (and a Brush with Mortality)
- Morning: Okay, Day 2, time to actually do something. Valley of Desolation, here I come. Heard it was breathtaking, a geological marvel. The drive up was… winding. And steep. The Wanderer grumbled a bit, but she persevered.
- Mid-Morning: Reached the lookout. Oh. My. God. Absolutely stunning. Jaw-dropping. Actually made me forget the lack of a proper kettle. Sat for ages, just drinking it in. The vastness of the landscape, the sheer scale of the cliffs… It was humbling. And then, a gust of wind nearly blew me off the edge. Slightly less humbling at that point.
- Anecdote: Nearly lost my hat! I grabbed it and clung onto it. It just wouldn't have been good. I think I started to giggle, the whole situation was a little surreal.
- Afternoon: After calming my nerves (and making sure my life insurance was up-to-date), I did some hiking. The trails were well-marked, mostly. Except when they weren't. Got slightly lost (shocking, I know), bushwhacked through some thorny bushes, swore a lot, and eventually found my way back. With a few scratches and a renewed appreciation for the Wanderer. Thought about calling it a day but, then I thought better.
- Evening: Back at the cottage, exhausted but in awe. Ordered takeaway from a local restaurant. The food was delicious but took forever. South African time, I guess. Trying to watch some TV, but the signal kept dropping. Sigh. This holiday is turning out to be really different than I thought.
Day 3: Graaff-Reinet (and the Problem of Souvenirs)
- Morning: Today, exploring Graaff-Reinet itself. The town is charming. The architecture is gorgeous. The people are lovely. Except for the shop owner who tried to sell me a carved wooden giraffe that looked suspiciously like it would topple over at any moment.
- Mid-Morning: Drove around. Explored the Reinet House museum. Fascinating stuff. Learned all about the town's history, which, let's be honest, is a little heavy on the colonialism. Always feels a bit uncomfortable, but important to acknowledge, right?
- Afternoon: Souvenir shopping. Oh, the agonies of souvenir shopping. I started off wanting something "authentic," something "meaningful." Ended up with a couple of fridge magnets and a frankly hideous, yet somehow irresistible, beaded keyring.
- Rant: Why are all the souvenirs either things you need (like practical items) or things you definitely, definitely don't need (like the aforementioned keyring)? And the prices! Good grief!
- Evening: Stumbled upon a tiny, hole-in-the-wall restaurant. Best meal of the trip so far. Simple, delicious, and the proprietor was a sweet old woman who kept calling me "my darling." Almost made up for the problematic keyring.
Day 4: Camdeboo National Park (and a Date with a Meerkat)
- Morning: Back to the great outdoors! This time, Camdeboo National Park. More breathtaking scenery. More hiking. More potential death (just kidding… mostly).
- Mid-Morning: Went for a drive through the park. Stumbled upon a family of meerkats! They were adorable. Watching them pop up their heads from the holes in the ground, so cute. They are so much smaller than I imagined.
- Observation: Meerkats are basically tiny, furry sentinels. Their entire life seems to be dedicated to watching out for danger. Inspirational, in a weird way.
- Afternoon: Found a spot for a picnic. The wind was relentless. Spent half the time chasing my sandwich. It was a comedy of errors. Ate my food with sand.
- Evening: Back at Stemar, feeling the sun. My skin feels very dry.
Day 5: Coffee Houses and Stargazing (and the Silent Battle with Laundry)
- Morning: I'm in search of good coffee. Graaff-Reinet has some very cute coffee shops. The barista (who remembered my coffee order from the day before) was very friendly and made a good mocha. I could live here.
- Mid-Morning: Explored the antique shops. So many interesting old books. I picked up a dusty old volume of poetry.
- Afternoon: The laundry! I did a load of washing. The washing machine was loud and slow. It took about 3 hours to dry a load. I had to hang my laundry outside, and it was windy and dusty. This, I hated.
- Evening: Stargazing, I went to the Valley of Desolation, and the stars were incredible. I can't remember the last time I saw so many. It was perfect. Except for the fact that I had to put on and pull off so much layers of clothing.
Day 6: The Wanderer's Last Mile (and a Slightly Bitter Farewell)
- Morning: The Wanderer and I are ready to go home. I need to clean up my cottage. I feel the urge to unpack, clean, and pack my things.
- Afternoon: One last walk around the town. I bought an apricot jam (local, obviously). I drove back to the airport.
- Evening: So many memories. I spent the best part of my trip in Graaff-Reinet. I will be back.
Day 7: Head Back
- Morning: I am sad. I am on the plane, with a new, weird keyring and a very full heart.
Final Thoughts:
Graaff-Reinet, you old charmer. A mix of breathtaking beauty, quirky people, and the occasional existential crisis. Did I love it? Parts of it, absolutely. Did I struggle? Sure. Did I learn something? Definitely. Would I go back? Maybe. Once I've recovered from my dust bunny-induced PTSD, of course. And maybe, just maybe, with a better kettle.
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So, Stemar... is it *really* unbelievable self-catering? Or just, you know, *okay*? Be honest!
Okay, deep breaths. Unbelievable? Look, I've had some pretty dire self-catering experiences, the kind where the "fully equipped kitchen" consists of a rusty tin opener and a single, wonky saucepan. Stemar... it's *mostly* unbelievable. Okay, maybe not the "mind-blowing, celestial experience" kind of unbelievable, but definitely in the "wow, this is actually *nice* and *easy*" sense. The kitchen? Actually, pretty darn good. And the view? Oh. My. Word. Let me tell you about the stars one night...
But here's the real truth bomb: I'm terrible at self-catering. I forget things. I burn things. I generally leave a trail of culinary carnage behind me. So, for *me* to find Stemar manageable and enjoyable? That speaks volumes. It's not perfect, mind you. Once, the toaster spat out a burnt offering that could've doubled as a fossil. And the WiFi... well, let's just say it's in a different time zone. But honestly? The peace and quiet, the space, the feeling of *actually relaxing*? Worth it.
What kind of self-catering is it? Like, are we talking "bring your own everything" or "they provide, like, *some* stuff"?
Right, so the "bring your own everything" scenario is, thankfully, not Stemar's vibe. You'll get a pretty decent starting point. Think: pots, pans (mostly non-wonky, thankfully), cutlery, plates, glasses (some might have a chip or two, adds character, right?). There's also linen and towels – hallelujah! That's a huge weight off your shoulders. Don't expect a gourmet spice rack though – you'll need to bring your own basics. Honestly, I packed a whole suitcase just for spices the first time. A bit extra, perhaps.
They'll also give you the bare essentials for cleaning, like dish soap and so on. So you won't be completely starting from scratch. But do plan accordingly, especially if you have specific dietary requirements or are addicted to a particular brand of coffee. This is Graaff-Reinet, not Harrods.
The reviews mention a pool... is it decent? Because I *need* a decent pool.
Okay, the pool. This is where things get a little... complicated. Yes, there's a pool. Yes, it's clean. But "decent" is subjective, isn't it? It's not Olympic-sized, or heated, or with a swim-up bar (sadly!). It's more of a "refreshing dip on a scorching Graaff-Reinet day" kind of pool. And listen, the heat *can* be brutal. I remember one day, I swear I could have fried an egg on the paving stones. That pool? Lifesaver. Utter lifesaver. Especially after a hike in the Valley of Desolation.
My biggest gripe? And this is a me-problem, I completely own it: I’m terrible at just lounging. I managed, though. It’s that view again, you know? It’s hard not to zone out and just *be* by that pool. I found myself watching the shadows lengthen and the birds swooping. It’s a good pool. Just...manage your expectations. And bring a good book. Or several. You’ll need them.
Graaff-Reinet itself... is there anything to *do* besides look at the stars (which, let's be honest, is a *major* draw)?
Oh, absolutely! Don't get me wrong, the stars are a HUGE selling point. I once saw a shooting star so bright, I thought I'd won the lottery. But Graaff-Reinet has plenty to offer. The Valley of Desolation – a must-do. The views are breathtaking (and a little bit terrifying if you're afraid of heights, as I am). The town itself is charming, with gorgeous historic buildings. There’s the Reinet House Museum, which is... well, it's a museum. You can explore. Learn some stuff. See some old furniture. (I'll admit, I'm not the biggest museum person.)
The main thing? *Plan ahead*. Book restaurants. Decide on tours. Graaff-Reinet isn't exactly overflowing with options, so you might find yourself a bit stuck. I'm talking from experience, here! One night, we ended up with... well, let's just say we made a *lot* of pasta. But hey – we had the view. And a bottle of wine. And, eventually, a good laugh about it all."
Are there any downsides I should know about? Things they *don't* tell you in the glossy brochures?
Okay, here's the honesty zone. Prepare for:
- The WiFi struggles. Really, really struggle. Consider it a digital detox. Embrace it. Or download all your movies beforehand.
- Potential wildlife encounters. You're in the Karoo. Get used to the chirping, the rustling, the occasional distant howl. Keep the windows closed at night, unless you *want* a gecko for a roommate.
- The temperature swings. It can be freezing at night, even in summer. Pack layers. And be prepared to huddle by the fireplace (if there is one, check!).
- Phone signal. It comes and goes. This can be a blessing or a curse, depending on how much you need to be in touch.
The biggest downside? Leaving. Seriously. Graaff-Reinet gets under your skin. And Stemar...? You'll probably find yourself already planning your return before you've even unpacked.
Tell me a hilarious/memorable anecdote about staying at Stemar. Go on, spill the beans!
Right, okay, brace yourselves. This one involves a braai, a rogue gust of wind, and a near-disaster. We’d decided to be fancy and braai (barbecue) one night. I, of course, took charge of the salad. I even made a *vinaigrette*. Impressive, right? Wrong. The Karoo wind, it's legendary. And on this particular evening, it decided to have its way. I put the salad on the table, next to the braai. A sudden gust of wind whipped through, and *whoosh*! The salad, the plates, the *entire* contents of the table, went flying. Lettuce everywhere. Tomatoes splattered across the patio. My beautiful vinaigrette, gone. I swear, the cat nearby looked smug.
We salvaged what we could, wiping down the braai (it was miraculously untouched), and laughing until our stomachs ached. The meat was a bit dusty, the bread…questionable. But we ate under the stars, surrounded by the remnants of salad-based chaos. And you know what? It was the best damn braai I’ve everStayin The Heart
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