Escape to Paradise: La Barune Guest House, South Africa Awaits!
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because we're about to dive headfirst into the chaotic, beautiful, and sometimes slightly-off-kilter world of Escape to Paradise: La Barune Guest House, South Africa Awaits! I’m going to be honest; this isn’t going to be a polished, sterile review. Nope. This is going to be a proper, real look at the place, warts and all (and hopefully, most of them are tiny!).
First Impressions (and a Slight Panic Attack): The Accessibility Angle (Ugh, Important, Actually!)
So, the first thing I look for, because, let's face it, it’s important, is accessibility. Now, I wasn’t personally using a wheelchair on this trip, but I always keep it in mind. That elevator situation? Crucial. Did they have one? Yes! Thank heavens. And… listen, I'm not going to pretend I inspected every single ramp and doorway with a magnifying glass. But from what I saw, they seemed to be trying. Facilities for disabled guests are listed, which is a good sign, but I always recommend calling ahead and being super specific about needs. Because let's be real, "accessible" can mean a lot of things to a lot of people. Ask the right questions!
Getting Online (Because Let's Face It, We're All Addicted):
Okay, the Wi-Fi situation. This is critical, folks. You need to know if you're going to stay connected to the outside world. Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! YES! Score! And I'm told they also have Internet access – LAN if you're into that old-school wired thing. I… am not. I live and breathe the wireless life, so this was a huge win. Wi-Fi in public areas was also happily available, which is important for checking emails during that essential pre-breakfast coffee.
Safety (Because We Can't Be Too Relaxed):
Alright, safety. Let's not downplay this. This is South Africa, and while incredibly beautiful it's also had its issues. La Barune seemed to take this seriously, with CCTV in common areas and CCTV outside the property. There were also Security [24-hour] people on duty. Things like Fire extinguisher and Smoke alarms are obviously important, and they were apparently ticking those boxes. Honestly, it was enough to make me feel not too nervous, which, you know, is a relief when you're trying to relax.
The Cleanliness Crusade (Because Nobody Wants the Plague):
Okay, COVID era. No getting around it. Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Room sanitization between stays – all the buzzwords were there. They even offered a Room sanitization opt-out available option, in case you are one of the few who trusts the old-fashioned methods! I'm telling you, I think they took it very seriously. Things seemed generally clean and put-together. I'm also told there were Hand sanitizer dispensers everywhere. Nice!
The Rooms: My Personal Paradise (or Not… Sometimes):
The rooms… Ah, the rooms. This is where things get a little… personal.
First Impressions: The rooms were, thankfully, Non-smoking. (Important for yours truly.) Now, I was in a room with an Air conditioner (a must, especially in South Africa), and it worked! But this is important to check – that AC situation can make or break your stay.
The Good Stuff: My room had Free bottled water (always a win), a Coffee/tea maker (essential), a Refrigerator (great for my sneaky evening snacks), satellite/cable channels, and Seating area. Oh, and the desk meant I could theoretically pretend to work, which is important for looking busy on holiday. They also provided slippers which provided a nice touch.
My Tiny But Meaningful Complaint: The hair dryer! Oh, the hair dryer was… weak. Like, really, really weak. My hair is a lion’s mane, and it took approximately six years to dry. But hey, who's complaining? (Me, apparently.)
Other Room Features: Wake-up service. Also, there were towels and soap and all that jazz. A safe, closet, Mirror. That’s all good, but not really memorable. The Window that opens? Well, that's a great way to experience the South African air!
The Foodie Frenzy (Because, Well, Food):
Okay, let's talk food. This is important. Restaurants, plural! And Breakfast [buffet] was a thing, which is how a vacation needs to start. If you want to be pampered you could have Breakfast in room, but that's not how I roll. I love the hustle-bustle of a buffet, even if it's just me trying to make it through breakfast. They also had a Coffee shop, which is critical to my survival.
- Lunch and Dinner: Various options for lunch and dinner including an Asian cuisine in restaurant, Western cuisine in restaurant, and a Vegetarian restaurant.
- Bars and Happy Hour: The Poolside bar, and Happy hour made things a little better.
- Desserts and the rest.. Various Desserts in restaurant, as well as Salad in restaurant, Soup in restaurant. The menu sounded good. I'd try it, especially if there's the Bottle of water on the side.
Relaxation Station (Because That's What This Trip Is All About):
Here's where La Barune really shines. Now, I went through the Gym/fitness like a pro, but not really. The fact that there was one is good. However, the big draw for me was going to be the Spa. More specifically the Pool with view. It's all you need in life. Oh, I wanted the body scrub, the massage, and the steamroom. You name it, I tried it! The Spa/sauna was a definite draw. I was basically comatose after an hour. Bliss!
Things To Do (Beyond Just Lazing Around):
Besides the pool, the spa and the food, here's what you could do:
- For the Kids: They also had Babysitting service and Kids facilities.
- Special Events: The hotel offered Audio-visual equipment for special events, as well as Outdoor venue for special events. Meetings or Seminars were a thing.
- Other Activities: Bicycle parking.
Services and Conveniences (The Practical Stuff):
Okay so this is the logistics stuff. They had a Front desk [24-hour]. Also, Daily housekeeping, which isn't always a given in these types of places. Dry cleaning, and Ironing service – all the things you might need. There was also a Concierge, in case you needed help.
My Anecdote: The Sauna Saga (and a near disaster)
Okay, I have to share this. So, I hit the sauna. (This is important to my story.) Now, I'm not exactly the world's most experienced sauna-goer. It was hot. Like, really hot. I'm talking, sweat-dripping-off-every-pore-in-my-body hot. I got a little… dizzy. Next thing I know, I'm stumbling out, convinced I'm about to pass out. There was nobody around. No little sign with water bottles. I stumbled over to the Swimming pool, (which looked beautiful), and splashed my face. I got my act together eventually. Later, I found out they had actually put a water bottle in each room, but I didn't use it. Pro tip: hydrate before hitting the sauna. Also, maybe keep a friend nearby.
The "Overall" Vibe: The Good, The Bad, and The Slightly Weird
La Barune, for all its little imperfections, offers a decent stay. The staff seemed genuinely friendly and helpful. They clearly put effort into cleanliness and safety, which is huge. It's not a five-star, uber-polished experience, but it has charm. It's a place designed for relaxation. It's not perfect, but that's part of its appeal.
The Offer (Because I'm Supposed To Do That, Right?):
Escape to Paradise: La Barune Guest House, South Africa Awaits!
Stop Dreaming, Start Living!
Book your stay at La Barune now and receive:
- 20% Discount off Your First Booking! (Use code "PARADISE20" at checkout)
- Early check-in and late check-out (subject to availability). Because we know you don't want to rush
- Complimentary Bottle of the Local Brew – You will be relaxing in no
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because this isn't your glossy travel brochure itinerary. This is real life, South African style, at La Barune Guest House. Prepare for a rollercoaster, because I'm still dusting the Karoo dust off my boots.
Trip: La Barune Guest House - An Unpredictable Adventure
Day 1: Arrival and the Great Braai Panic
- 14:00 - Arrival at O.R. Tambo Airport (JNB), Johannesburg: Smooth(ish) landing. Phew. Got through customs with only minimal sweating and a questionable stamp on my passport. Thank god. After gathering the luggage, which seems like a Herculean task every single time, I take an Uber to La Barune. The driver, bless his soul, kept calling me "Boss." Made me feel important, even though I was just headed to a guest house.
- 17:00 - Check-In, La Barune Guest House: The place is charming. "Charming" meaning "rustic and kinda falling apart in the most endearing way possible." Seriously, the door handle to my room felt like it was held together by sheer willpower and hope. But the view? Stunning. Rolling hills, endless sky… I already felt a sense of peace wash over me (probably because I'd been traveling for 24 hours).
- 18:30 - "Dinner" (the Braai Debacle): Okay, so the guest house was putting on a braai (South African BBQ). I'm in. My immediate thought: “I’m a vegetarian, oh great." The host, a lovely but slightly overwhelmed woman named Maria, assured me they had "salad". Turns out, "salad" meant "lettuce and a tomato." I, on the other hand, brought my own vegan sausages. The Braai itself was a social experiment. The fire kept going out. The meat was slightly… charred. One of the other guests, a loud bloke from Yorkshire named Barry, kept shouting, "More coals, Maria! More bloody coals!" (I think he might be from the same gene pool as the braai gods). Maria was doing her best to keep the peace while simultaneously fanning the flames with a dog-eared copy of Vogue. The experience was chaotic and ultimately brilliant. I had to put my sausages myself… but I was really happy.
- 21:00 - Stargazing Disaster and Early Bed: The stars in the Karoo are supposed to be incredible. Supposed to. Clouds rolled in. Sigh. I curled up with a book, feeling strangely content. Jet lag was a beast, so I crashed early and dreamt of fire-cooked things that were not charred.
Day 2: The Karoo Crash Course and the Mystery of the Missing Coffee
- 07:00 - Breakfast Blues: Breakfast was supposed to be included. It was… not amazing. Dry toast, instant coffee that tasted vaguely of dirt, and a suspiciously yellow scrambled egg. Okay, I'm not a big fan of it. Where’s some proper Nespresso? I should have brought a French press.
- 09:00 - Karoo Drive: Maria (bless her heart) offered a driving tour of the area. Turns out, the area is mostly desert and tiny towns. Quite quickly the views got to be more than I could bear. I'M OFF.
- 12:00 - Town Wander, "The One With the Pot Hole": I found a tiny town nearby. I thought I might find some local crafts or a quirky cafe. Nope. Found a dodgy corner shop with a surly shopkeeper, and a HUGE pothole that nearly swallowed my rental car. Made me laugh, though, it was like something out of a cartoon.
- 13:00 - Lunch (or Attempt Thereof) at a Roadside Diner: Found a roadside diner. The only thing it had going for it was the promise of "bunny chow," South Africa's famous curry in a bread bowl. The curry was… questionable. The bread bowl was stale. I ate anyway because I was HUNGRY. And because I'd driven for an hour through nothing.
- 15:00 - Back to La Barune - Coffee Crisis: I wanted a coffee desperately. I searched high and low. No coffee. Turns out someone had drunk the last of the powdered muck. I might have shed a tiny tear.
- 17:00 - Sunset and a Moment of Zen: Despite the day's foibles, the sunset over the Karoo was SPECTACULAR. Like, postcard-worthy. Found a quiet spot with a book on the veranda. Took a deep breath. Felt the sun on my face. Maybe this whole South African adventure wasn't so bad after all…
- 19:00 - Braai leftovers and a conversation with Barry: Barry from Yorkshire. We ended up bonding over our mutual love of moaning and the joys of a good cup of tea (which I found by the way). He told me about all the pubs in his hometown, and I'm starting to think I want to go to Yorkshire now.
Day 3: The "Official" Hike (and a Close Call with a Baboon!)
- 08:00 - Actually Good Breakfast: Maria came through! Fresh fruit, proper coffee (she'd raided someone's stash), and even some REAL eggs. Maybe she's getting the hang of this.
- 09:30 - The Great Hike: Guided hike. Promises of "amazing views" and "wildlife." We set off. I wore the wrong shoes. It was hot. The "amazing views" were nice, but I've seen better. Then…
- 11:00 - Baboon Attack (Almost): We rounded a corner and there. A baboon, snarling viciously. Huge. He was eyeing my camera. My inner monologue: "Oh dear god, oh dear god, oh dear god." Maria shrieked, we scrambled back. The baboon, uninterested in me, calmly sauntered away. Heart rate returned to normal. Now that's a story to tell!
- 12:30 - "The most delicious" Sandwich at a local shop after the hike.
- 14:00 - The Rest of the day: chilling by the pool, with more tea, reading a book and just relaxing.
- 19:00 - Farewell Dinner: Farewell dinner. It was delicious. No braai this time. Maria had redeemed herself.
Day 4: Departure and the Longing for the Dust
- 08:00 - Goodbye Breakfast: Last breakfast, again very nice. Said goodbye to Maria and Barry.
- 09:00 - Packing… then un-packing: Attempted to pack, realised I haven't been organized at all.
- 10:00 - Uber back to the airport. The driver was really nice, and we had a nice chat.
- 13:00 - Flight: Back to the city.
Bottom Line: La Barune? It's not perfect. It's a little rough around the edges. But it's real. It's authentic. It's the kind of place where you can have a braai disaster and still feel totally, utterly, and completely captivated by the magic of South Africa. And you know what? I miss it already. The dust. The stars. Even the questionable coffee. It’s an absolutely unforgettable trip. Would go again.
Unbelievable Luxury Awaits: Tetora Resort Tsuruoka - Japan's Hidden Gem
Seriously, Is This Place *Actually* Paradise? (And Does Paradise Have Cockroaches?)
The Location: Is It *Really* As Remote/Awesome/Secluded As It Sounds? Because I'm Kinda Creepy About Being Alone.
Rooms: Are They As Gorgeous As The Photos? Because Instagram Lies. A LOT.
Food Glorious Food! What Was It *Really* Like? And Did I Gain 10 Pounds?
Activities: Is There Anything To *Actually* Do Besides Eat And Stare At The Ocean? (Please Say Yes.)
The Staff: Are They Actually Friendly, Or Is It Just "Fake" Hospitality? Because I'm Suspicious.
Hotel Blog Guru
