At Tsitsikamma Gardens Self-Catering Cottages, we believe your stay should start as smoothly and enjoyably as possible.

Check-in is available from 15:00 to 18:00, and if you arrive earlier, our hostess Tilly will happily look after your luggage while you explore the beautiful surroundings of the Tsitsikamma region. We strive to accommodate early check-in whenever possible.

We kindly request that all guests provide us with an estimated time of arrival and reach out to Tilly at least 1 hour prior to arrival via WhatsApp at +27 (0)72 809 7891.

Should your journey extend beyond 18:00, please let us know in advance so we can prepare for your arrival.

Please note that all check-ins take place at our restaurant.

Please note that our restaurant is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. If your check-out falls on one of these days, kindly inform Tilly in advance of the time she should meet you at the restaurant to collect the keys.

We look forward to welcoming you and ensuring your experience from the moment you arrive is as warm and inviting as the natural beauty that surrounds Tsitsikamma Gardens.

As your stay at Tsitsikamma Gardens Self-Catering Cottages comes to a close, we kindly remind you that check-out is between 08:00 and 11:00. Guests planning to depart earlier than 08:00 are requested to inform our hostess Tilly at +27 (0)72 809 7891 upon check-in so that proper arrangements can be made for returning the keys.

Please note that all check-outs take place at our restaurant.

Please note that our restaurant is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. If your check-out falls on one of these days, kindly inform Tilly in advance of the time she should meet you at the restaurant to collect the keys.

We hope you enjoy the final moments of your stay amidst the beauty of the Tsitsikamma region, and we look forward to welcoming you back in the future.

The best way to communicate with our host during your stay is via phone call or WhatsApp, +27(0)72 809 7891.

Please avoid using Airbnb or Booking.com messages, especially after 18:00 and before 08:00, as these platforms are mostly monitored during office hours.

Tilly stays on-site and is available to assist if needed. We kindly ask that, where possible, all enquiries be made before 18:00 to ensure a prompt response, unless it is an emergency.

At Tsitsikamma Gardens Self-Catering Cottages, we want every guest—both young and old—to enjoy a safe and comfortable stay. For this reason, we have specific guidelines regarding children to ensure their safety and the enjoyment of all guests.

• Children are only accommodated in Cottage #2.
• Children under the age of 12 are not permitted due to steep steps inside the unit and an open garden driveway.
• Parents/guardians must supervise children at all times, whether in the cottage, playing in the garden, or using the swimming pool.
• Children are not allowed to swim without adult supervision.

Guests must be mindful of other guests and ensure children do not cause a nuisance or disturbance when playing outside and at the pool. 

We understand that pets are part of the family, which is why we welcome them in our restaurant and have made The Courtyard Suite our pet-friendly accommodation.

• The restaurant is pet-friendly; no prior arrangement is required.
• Accommodation is pet-friendly only in the Courtyard Suite (one small dog).
• Dogs accommodated in the Courtyard Suite must be properly groomed prior to arrival to ensure a clean, hygienic, and flea-free environment for all guests.
• Dogs must be kept under control in public areas.
• Pet owners are responsible for cleaning up after their pets.
• Dogs may not be left unattended if this may cause disturbance or damage.
• Dogs and other pets are only allowed in the swimming pool area when no other guests are present and are not permitted to swim in the pool for hygiene reasons.
• The property and Owners will not be held liable for any injuries to pets, including bites or scratches from resident pets.
• Any additional cleaning, repairs, or damages caused by pets will be charged to the guest.
• The Owners reserve the right to remove any dog that is aggressive, noisy, or disruptive.
• No other pets are permitted in the cottages. View our pet policy here.

Yes, we have a variety of friendly animals on the property, including six cats, and our older dog, Bella. They have access to the shared common areas and are part of the relaxed, welcoming atmosphere our guests enjoy. Please note that Bella, our dog, prefers not to be petted by children—but she is gentle and well-behaved.

South Africa occasionally implements scheduled load shedding (power outages), which may last 2–4 hours at a time.

Please note that we do not have a generator or solar system installed. During load shedding, electricity and Wi-Fi will not be available.

We will provide the daily load-shedding schedule on arrival, as it changes regularly. Battery-powered lights are available from reception—please feel free to contact Tilly, +27(0)72 809 7891 for assistance.

Tsitsikamma Gardens Restaurant
While our self-catering cottages provide everything you need for a comfortable stay, please note that restaurant service is not guaranteed with your accommodation booking.

The restaurant is open Wednesday to Sunday, from 08:00 to 16:00, and closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. Breakfast is served all day during trading hours.

Guests should plan their meals accordingly and not rely on the restaurant being available outside these times.

While our self-catering cottages provide everything you need for a comfortable stay, please note that the dinner service is not guaranteed with your accommodation booking.

Our on-site restaurant is not open in the evenings, and dinner service is not available on Monday and Tuesday nights. However, subject to the availability of your hostess, Tilly, dinner can be prepared upon request on other evenings.

Dinner will be ready to collect at the restaurant at 18:00 (unfortunately, later collection is not possible). Guests can then enjoy their meal in the comfort of their cottage.

The dinner menu is limited and changes daily, based on our daily blackboard menu. Please note that no vegan options are available, and vegetarian dishes are subject to the availability of fresh produce.

To ensure we can prepare your meal, please request dinner preferably 24 hours in advance, and at the very latest by 15:00 on the day of your arrival.

Supermarkets and grocery stores in the immediate area around Tsitsikamma Gardens Self-Catering Cottages are limited, so we recommend doing your main shopping in Plettenberg Bay, The Market Square Shopping Centre (54 km) or Jeffreys Bay, Fountain Mall (86.9 km) at the larger stores before your visit.

Storms River Village | Royal Stormsriver – smaller grocery store for essentials | 15.1 km.

Kareedouw | Kwikspar Kareedouw – larger grocery store | 27 km.

Unfortunately, we do not offer laundry services, and none of our cottages are equipped with laundry facilities.

The nearest laundromats are located in Plettenberg Bay and Jeffreys Bay, so we recommend planning accordingly for longer stays.

Yes, we strongly recommend having a car during your stay at Tsitsikamma Gardens Self-Catering Cottages. Public transport in the Tsitsikamma area is very limited, and services such as Uber are not available. Having your own vehicle ensures you can explore the surrounding area comfortably and make the most of your visit.

Contact the Tsitsikamma Tourism Offcice for transport providers: info@tsitsikamma.info

Book your rental car with Avis here.

Yes, we do have a map of the area with nearby activities and points of interest. You can view the map here.

Unfortunately, we are unable to book activities on your behalf, as most require advance payment and are often weather dependent.

Please view the map for contact information for local activities and restaurants so you can make bookings directly.

You can view the map here.

At Tsitsikamma Gardens Self-Catering Cottages, the cancellation policy of the booking platform you used (Airbnb, Booking.com, etc.) applies. Guests are kindly requested to read and understand the cancellation terms before confirming a booking.

Please note: Changing your booking dates is considered a cancellation. Bookings cannot be transferred to alternative dates, as the original dates remain blocked in the booking platform system.

Non-refundable rates will not be refunded under any circumstances. These rates reflect a discounted price for guests who accept the “risk” of booking at a lower rate.

To enjoy your stay worry-free, we highly recommend arranging travel insurance. Life can be unpredictable, and having insurance ensures that if your plans change unexpectedly, you can cancel or amend your trip without added stress.

For your convenience, we are happy to provide an invoice for your travel insurance, making it simple and seamless so you can focus on relaxing and enjoying the beauty of Tsitsikamma during your stay.

• • We do not charge an upfront damages deposit.

  • Guests are responsible for any damage, loss, or staining caused during their stay.

  • This includes, but is not limited to, furniture, appliances, décor, crockery, linens, and towels.

  • Stained or damaged linens, towels, or crockery will be replaced at the cost of a full set, not just the individual item.

All guests, and persons entering Tsitsikamma Gardens Self-Catering Cottages and making use of any accommodation, restaurant, or facilities on the premises do so entirely at their own risk.

The owners, tenants, and their respective employees, agents, representatives, contractors, managers, or any persons acting under their authority (collectively referred to as “the Owners”) shall not be held liable for any claim, loss, damage, injury, or death suffered by any person while on the premises, howsoever arising, including but not limited to negligence, theft, or any other cause. This includes, without limitation, loss of or damage to personal property and vehicles.

Guests and visitors make use of all facilities, including accommodation, restaurant, swimming pool, parking areas, and any equipment or appliances, entirely at their own risk. The Owners shall not be responsible for any injury, loss, or damage resulting from the use or misuse thereof.

The Owners reserve the right to refuse admission or remove any person from the premises, without refund, whose conduct is deemed unsafe, disruptive, or a nuisance to others or to the property.

Children Policy

• Children are only accommodated in Cottage #2.

• Children under the age of 12 are not permitted due to steep steps inside the unit and an open garden driveway.

• Parents/guardians must supervise children at all times, whether in the cottage, playing in the garden, or using the swimming pool.

• Children are not allowed to swim without adult supervision.

• Guests must be mindful of other guests and ensure children do not cause a nuisance or disturbance.

Dogs and Pets

• The restaurant is pet-friendly; no prior arrangement is required.

• Accommodation is pet-friendly only in the Courtyard Suite (one small dog).

• Dogs accommodated in the Courtyard Suite must be properly groomed prior to arrival to ensure a clean, hygienic, and flea-free environment for all guests.

• Dogs must be kept under control in public areas.

• Pet owners are responsible for cleaning up after their pets.

• Dogs may not be left unattended if this may cause disturbance or damage.

• Dogs and other pets are only allowed in the swimming pool area when no other guests are present and are not permitted to swim in the pool for hygiene reasons.

• The property and Owners will not be held liable for any injuries to pets, including bites or scratches from resident pets.

• Any additional cleaning, repairs, or damages caused by pets will be charged to the guest.

• The Owners reserve the right to remove any dog that is aggressive, noisy, or disruptive.

• No other pets are permitted in the cottages.

Self-Catering Accommodation & Property Care

• Guests are responsible for the proper use and care of the accommodation, its contents, and all appliances.

• Guests are requested to take care of furniture, crockery, linens, towels, and property, avoiding any damage or staining.

• Make-up, self-tan, and sunblock must be removed before going to bed to prevent staining of bedding or furniture.

• No smoking is allowed inside the cottages.

• No visitors are permitted; the cottages and facilities are for registered guests only.

• Damages and Replacement Policy:

  • We do not charge an upfront damages deposit.

  • Guests are responsible for any damage, loss, or staining caused during their stay.

  • This includes, but is not limited to, furniture, appliances, décor, crockery, linens, and towels.

  • Stained or damaged linens, towels, or crockery will be replaced at the cost of a full set, not just the individual item.

  • We kindly ask all guests to be mindful and careful with the property to help maintain a comfortable, clean, and safe environment for everyone.

Check-In & Check-Out

• Check-in: 15:00 – 18:00. Please provide your estimated time of arrival and contact Tilly at +27 (0)72 809 7891 at least 1 hour prior.

• Check-out: 08:00 – 11:00. Guests departing earlier than 08:00 must inform Tilly at check-in so arrangements can be made for returning the keys.

• All check-ins and check-outs take place at our restaurant.

• Please note the restaurant is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays; if your check-out is on these days, kindly coordinate with Tilly for key collection.

• Late check-out may be arranged subject to availability and incurs a fee of 50% of the normal room rate.

• Early check-in may be arranged subject to availability.

Quiet Hours

• Guests are kindly requested to observe quiet hours between 22:00 and 08:00.

• Please be considerate of other guests and keep noise to a minimum when enjoying outdoor areas during these hours.

General

• The terms of this notice are severable. Should any provision be found invalid or unenforceable, such invalidity shall not affect the remaining provisions.

• Right of admission is reserved.

View full disclaimer here.