Clarens Best Kept Secret

Just outside of Clarens (about 17km’s to be exact) is in my opinion one of the most amazing places I’ve ever stayed.

Now, if you really love B&B’s or Guesthouses, then this won’t be for you, but if you absolutely love self catering (it is the only way we like to travel) then this place is ideal. You know how sometimes you look at an establishment online and think that the photos are so amazing and when you arrive the place looks nothing like the photos; well all I can say is that this time the photos didn’t lie.

We stayed at Omega Luxury Mountain Retreat where every cabin has it’s own jacuzzi (with one incredible view) and a fireplace (of course) for those cold winter nights in Clarens.  It felt like we were in the middle of nowhere.  In the peace and quiet where we could seriously relax and unwind (after some incredibly busy weeks at work I needed it).

 When we arrived, I couldn’t wait to try the jacuzzi.  It had been on for a few hours, so we were sure it would be warm enough.  It actually ended up being a little bit too hot for us, so I popped under the veranda to see if I could adjust it.  Jen was cursing me the whole time because she was worried I’d stuff something up (since the sign in the kitchen said the jacuzzi was on a timer and set correctly etc).  I think she was also worried we’d get into trouble 🙂

Being so close to Clarens meant that we could pop into the local restaurants (one in particular) and choose our lunch and go home to an evening of braai meat and watching the stars from the warmth of our jacuzzi.  We also got to do some free cider and beer tasting at the Clarens brewery (and came home with a berry cider which I loved).

 I was more than happy to go into Clarens to find food because one of my favourite restaurants of all time is there.  We always just called it the German restaurant but it’s real name is the Roter Hahn (we actually thought it closed down because when we tried to go there last year it was missing, but luckily for us they just changed venues).  This place has the best Lamb Shank in Clarens (I’m sure there other food is awesome too, but I always order the lamb shank) and the deep fried potato balls (we ordered an extra plate of just those) – see below – are the most delicious thing I’ve ever eaten.

I didn’t even realise that the accommodation had DSTV until we saw the decoder and TV there.  Now, for someone who only ever watches series on her computer, it was amazing to just put on the TV and watch a silly teen comedy before jumping back in the jacuzzi again (I needed to give my pruny fingers a break occasionally).  We also did a bit of walking (sometimes more like running when it came to the long grass and the worry of snakes).

Even though the jacuzzi was definitely a highlight, for me, the swinging hammock chair was my absolute favourite.  I spent most of the morning (and also the sunset) in that chair with a hot water bottle on my lap, blanket wrapped around me and a cup of tea in hand.  I found it so relaxing that I even fell asleep there for a few hours.  That is my new happy place and when life gets tough, I shut my eyes and go back to that chair and how I felt.

  The hammock chair wasn’t very comfortable for me (but I am super tall so that might have been the problem), but I did love the jacuzzi!  There was actually only one thing that really disappointed me and that was the one, lonely (used) earbud that was on the bathroom floor when we arrived and never disappeared for our entire 2 night stay (even though the cleaning ladies did come in to spruce up the place).  Jen found it incredibly funny and laughed every time she saw it (I swear she almost took a photo of it).

 I would go back here in a heartbeat and will tell all of my friends and family about it.  What a lovely, relaxing place to stay!

 

 

http://www.omegaclarens.co.za/omega-luxury-retreat-accomodation.html

https://www.tripadvisor.co.za/Restaurant_Review-g734479-d2417734-Reviews-Roter_Hahn-Clarens_Free_State.html