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Often Asked Questions
Have a scroll through some of the most common questions we receive from guests …
Yes, we are! You are welcome to bring any pets. We charge a once off pet cleaning fee for each stay. We request that no pets sit on the furniture or bedding. Dogs need to be under control when outside the fenced garden of the cottage as there are other dogs, wildlife, and livestock on the property. Both cottages are full secured with their own electric fence and automatic palisade gates, so pets are unlikely to get out and escape.
We are most fortunate that we don’t experience any load shedding at our property. Yes, you read the previous line correctly! We are on a main priority electricity line for the inland fuel pump station.
Both cottages are surrounded by their own electric fences (more to keep the reedbuck and porcupines out the garden), and each has an automatic electric palisade gate.
We have not had any major issues with crime in our area other than occasional petty theft from an unoccupied building. Each cottage has an electric fence and automatic gate around the perimeter, and both cottages have alarms. All the windows of each cottage have burglar- guards, and the entrance doorways have security gates. The only access road (D494) has a manned and video-monitored security boom at night and all vehicles are required to stop prior to proceeding.
The 2 km stretch of dirt road from the main tarred Hilton College Road to our farm is generally in good condition. It is passable by all makes of cars and it is graded periodically. You definitely don’t need a 4×4 to get to us!
Yes, we have uncapped, free Wi-Fi in all the cottages. As we do not have fibre in our area, the internet service is based on radio technology that can be affected by very cloudy or misty weather conditions, but it generally works well.
No, the cottages are not serviced daily. However, guests are welcome to request housekeeping for their stay, preferably before arriving. We charge an additional daily fee for housekeeping.
We charge different rates for The Studio & The Gallery as The Gallery has more to offer than The Studio. The Gallery is a far more spacious home. The dining/lounge area is far larger with unprecedented views across the Albert Falls Dam valley. It has an outdoor firepit overlooking this view, as well as a spa bath in the ensuite bathroom. The kitchen also has an air fryer for guests to use.
Our guests have direct access to single tracks at our property with about2 km of trails. Within a 5 km ride/drive from us there’s about 20 km of single track open to the public. Within the neighbouring Hilton College estate is approximately 40 km of jeep and single trach, although a permit is required to access these. And another 15 min drive gets you to Cascades plantations where there are about 50 km of single track.
The Hilton village has all four major retail supermarkets, as well as fantastic restaurants, coffee shops and pubs for guests to enjoy. There is a wide selection from the ultra-quaint and cosy to franchised establishments. There are also several options for take-aways, as well as pharmacies and bottle stores for any provisions you may need. We have an updated list that we send our guests should they ask.
Great news is that the Hilton Life Hospital is 5 km away from The Aloes Farm! There is a 24- hour Emergency Room at the hospital, as well as doctors and specialists consulting rooms.
The Gallery has a washing machine with soap and an outside washing line. The Studio does not have its own washing machine; however, our friendly staff are always willing to help with your laundry should you need, although there is an extra cost. Otherwise, there are two laundromats in the Hilton village that provide excellent washing & ironing services, as well as dry-cleaning services.
Guests are welcome to ask for the use of a cot or highchair at no extra cost. Should guests wish for an extra person to stay then we charge an extra fee for the use of the linen and mattress.
The Aloes Farm cottages are strictly NOT a venue for parties and events. Fireworks are forbidden as we are part of the Umgenyane Conservancy. Our area is renowned for its peaceful surrounds, so we kindly ask that you be considerate after 22h00 with group gatherings, music and noise.