Pretoria's Hidden Gem: Novus Guest House - Unforgettable Stay!
Pretoria's Hidden Gem: Novus Guest House - Unforgettable Stay!
Pretoria's Hidden Gem: Novus Guest House - Unforgettable… Mostly! (A Totally Honest Review)
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because I'm about to spill the tea (and maybe some complimentary Earl Grey from the room) on Novus Guest House in Pretoria. They bill themselves as "Unforgettable," and you know what? They're not entirely wrong. But let’s be clear - unforgettable in all the ways.
SEO & Metadata, Baby! (Because I have to, even if I'd rather be drinking that tea):
- Keywords: Novus Guest House, Pretoria, South Africa, Guest House Review, Accessible Accommodation, Wheelchair Accessible, Spa, Swimming Pool, Restaurant, Breakfast, Free Wi-Fi, Luxury Hotel, Family Friendly, Safe, Clean, Best Hotels Pretoria
- Meta Description: A brutally honest review of Novus Guest House in Pretoria! Discover the good, the not-so-good, and everything in between, from its accessibility and spa to the food and overall experience. Is it truly unforgettable? Find out!
Accessibility: A Mixed Bag, Honestly.
Okay, let's rip this band-aid off first. Novus says they're accessible, and I’d say it’s mostly true, with some caveats. Wheelchair accessible? Yes, in theory. They have an elevator (a godsend!), and some dedicated rooms. However, I noticed a few tight corners in common areas, and the ramp up to the… let’s get to the swimming pool later, was a little… challenging. (More on that epic struggle later). I mean, getting around required a bit of maneuvering (and maybe holding your breath in certain spots!), and the information about accessibility here still needs the help of improvement. But the staff were genuinely helpful, and I saw them rushing to lend a hand when needed. That counts for something, right?
- Accessibility Checklist: Elevator, some accessible rooms, staff assistance available. Needs attention: Tight spaces, slight issues with the ramp to the pool.
On-site Grub and Lounging: Food glorious food…and not always in a glorious way.
They have restaurants. Plural! One, apparently, dedicated to Asian cuisine. I, being a sucker for a good spring roll, dove right in. The spring rolls were… fine. The rest of the meal? Less memorable. Okay, let's be real, it was a bit bland. The Western cuisine option fared better, with a decent burger that hit the spot after a long day of… well… things. They boast breakfast [buffet], which is always a dangerous game. I mean, who doesn't love a breakfast buffet? The presentation was great but the sausages were tragically dry. However, the coffee shop (a lifesaver in the morning!) and the poolside bar (hello, happy hour!) more than made up for it. And there's Room service [24-hour]. I'm all about that life.
- Foodie Score Breakdown: Asian cuisine – C. Western cuisine – B. Breakfast – C+. Coffee shop – A. Poolside bar – A.
Ways to Relax & Unwind: Spa-tastic (with a few hiccups!)
Okay, now we're talking. Their spa is the real deal. Forget all that food talk, the spa is gold. They have everything: Massage, Body scrub, Body wrap, Sauna, Steamroom, the works! I indulged in a deep tissue massage that melted away all the stress of… well, everything. The pool with view is ridiculously Instagrammable. The view is amazing and a perfect respite from the hustle and bustle.
- Spa Score: A+ (minus a tiny deduction for the slightly awkward walk to the pool and the fact that the steam room could have been a little… steamier)
Cleanliness, Safety, and All That Boring But Necessary Stuff:
They're trying. Anti-viral cleaning products? Check. Daily disinfection in common areas? Check. Hand sanitizer everywhere? You betcha. They've clearly put in the effort to make you feel safe, and I appreciated that, especially given the current climate. They offer room sanitization opt-out available. I didn't opt-out, not because I didn't trust them, but because… well, I'm a germaphobe in a post-pandemic world. They seem well educated on hygiene.
- Safety Score: Solid A. Felt secure and reasonably confident in their hygiene practices.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: The Good, the Okay, and the… Well, Let's Just Say It's an Experience.
We've touched on the food before, but let's dive deeper. They have Restaurants, Western cuisine, Asian cuisine, but honestly, it's the small things that mattered. The Poolside bar was a lifesaver and the bottle of water they leave in your room is a nice touch. The Happy hour deals at the bar are also appreciated.
- Dining, Drinking, and Snacking Score: Mixed
Services and Conveniences: The Little Things That Matter…Mostly.
Concierge, Daily housekeeping, Dry cleaning, Laundry service, Room service [24-hour]: all the essentials. I'm a sucker for a good concierge who can point me towards a decent coffee shop. The ones here were super helpful! The air conditioning worked like a charm (thank goodness, Pretoria heat is no joke). They have air conditioning in public area. They also have a gift shop, which is perfect for last-minute souvenirs (or impulse buys, like that ridiculously oversized stuffed giraffe I now own).
- Convenience Score: A- (minor minus for the somewhat slow Wi-Fi in the rooms)
For the Kids: I didn't bring any. Don't ask.
They have Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, and Kids meal.
- Kids Score: I'm unqualified. Don't ask.
Access, Getting Around, and More:
This is where things gets a little more practical. CCTV in common areas and outside should make you feel safe. 24-hour front desk is always a plus. Airport transfer offered is a blessing. They have a car park [free of charge] which also helped with the parking situation.
- Access & Getting Around Score: Solid A.
Available in All Rooms: The Amenities You'll Likely Use (and Maybe a Few You Won't).
Air conditioning? Absolutely. Free Wi-Fi? (Mostly) yes! Coffee/tea maker? Essential for me. Bathrobes? Luxurious touch. Blackout curtains? Crucial for sleeping in. The safe box was great. Now for some nitpicks… The TV, it's a bit of a relic. And the scale? Honestly, just hide it!
- Room Amenities Score: A.
Here's Where it Gets Real: My Epic Poolside Struggle.
Okay, so back to that swimming pool. It's gorgeous, seriously. The view is stunning. I was dying to take a dip. But getting there… well, let's just say I needed a small team of Sherpas to help me navigate the ramp. It's not that it's impossible, it's just… poorly designed. I found myself, puffing and panting, clinging to the railing, feeling like I was climbing Mount Everest. My dignity? Slightly bruised. My calves? Feeling the burn. Eventually, I conquered the ramp (victory!), but I was already half-exhausted before I even hit the water. It's a small thing, but it’s the kind of detail that can really impact your overall experience, especially if you have mobility issues. But the pool staff, they were great, very helpful. They probably saw me coming and knew what I was in for.
Final Verdict: Unforgettable… With a Few Asterisks.
Would I recommend Novus Guest House? Yes, absolutely. Despite the few hiccups and minor annoyances, the good outweighs the bad. The spa is worth the price of admission alone. The staff are friendly and helpful. The overall vibe is relaxing and luxurious. Just be prepared to conquer a moderately challenging swimming pool ramp, and remember to bring some pepto-bismol for those adventurous meals!
Overall Score: A- (with the potential for an A if they fix that pool ramp!)
Escape to Paradise: Luxury 2BR Tamansari La Grande Getaway in Bandung!
Alright, buckle up, buttercups! This ain't your grandma's perfectly-ironed itinerary. This is my attempt to explore Pretoria, South Africa, from the comfy, hopefully-not-too-creaky confines of the Novus Guest House. Prepare for a bumpy ride, both literally and metaphorically.
Day 1: Arrival and "Oh Dear God, Is That a Scorpion?"
- Morning (Like, Really Early): Landed at OR Tambo, which, let's be honest, felt less "welcome to Africa!" and more "welcome to jet lag and baggage claim purgatory." Navigated the chaos of the airport – managed to avoid getting my suitcase mistaken for a stray hippo this time! – and finally found the pre-booked shuttle. The driver, Blessmore, was a character. He regaled me with tales of Joburg traffic (yikes!) and the best biltong spots (research in progress!).
- Afternoon: Arrived at Novus Guest House. Gorgeous! Okay, wait… did I just see a spider the size of my hand? Deep breath. Turns out, the rooms are lovely, the gardens are lush, and the pool does look inviting, even though I'm still sweating from the flight. Unpacked, and immediately realized I'd forgotten to pack… well, everything remotely practical. My life is a joke.
- Evening: Dinner & Doubt: Found a nearby restaurant recommended by the guest house. It was called "The Cozy Corner". Cozy? More like "surprisingly loud considering it's tucked away in a residential area"! The food was good, solid South African fare. But as I was enjoying my Bobotie (that's ground meat with raisins and curry… trust me, it’s delicious!), I swear I saw a shadow scuttle across the floor. My internal monologue went into overdrive. "Is that a cockroach? A rat? A… scorpion?! (YES, I’M TRAUMATIZED!)" Spent a good ten minutes scrutinizing every dark corner before deciding to attribute it to overactive imagination fueled by the aforementioned jet lag.
Day 2: Monuments, Mayhem, and a Magnificent Mess
- Morning: Okay, history time. Headed to the Voortrekker Monument. It’s… imposing. Massively, aggressively imposing. Like, "This is a monument, and you WILL feel small" imposing. Learned way more about Boers and the Great Trek than I anticipated. Found a lovely cafe on site that served a fantastic coffee and a slice of malva pudding. The view from the top? Staggering. A real "Wow, the world is kind of beautiful" moment. Briefly forgot I'd nearly had a cardiac arrest the night before.
- Afternoon: A Dive into the Deep End (of the City!) Hoped into the City for some adventures, and it was a whirlwind of chaos. We decided to walk around and get a feel for the city, almost immediately got catcalled, and found ourselves lost, more than one time. I am pretty sure that I looked like a tourist, which is the worst thing. When it started raining, we had to run away into a shop. After all that, we were just hoping to have something to eat, somewhere warm, and somewhere that we could regroup, but we had no luck.
- Evening: Regrouping (and Reconsidering Life Choices): Back at Novus. Ordered takeout from that same restaurant. The Bobotie was even better tonight. And you know what? I survived the day. I'm still here. No scorpions (that I know of!). I think I might be getting the hang of this South African thing. Mostly.
Day 3: The Botanical Garden Boogie and the Road to… Well, Somewhere!
- Morning: Botanical Gardens! These are meant to be a chill, right? I was wrong. I was expecting flowers and pretty trees. What I got was an expansive, beautiful, but utterly confusing labyrinth of paths where I got lost. Twice. I wandered for a good hour, the only sound the distant cackle of a baboon. I saw plants I’d never even dreamed existed. I smelled things I’d rather not have smelled. But overall, it was pretty darn amazing. Made a mental note to bring a map next time (and maybe a compass. And a sandwich. And a small, highly trained pack of guard dogs).
- Afternoon: Road Trip Dreams & Disaster: Oh, the open road! We decided to take a day trip to see the Lion and Safari Park. We set off with visions of majestic creatures roaming free. What we got instead was… well, a lot of traffic. And a wrong turn. And a minor disagreement about the correct use of GPS (ahem, I was right!). The park itself was fine. The lions were impressive, the giraffes were ridiculously tall. But honestly, after the journey there, I mostly wanted a nap. (And maybe to hire a personal chauffeur.)
- Evening: Guest House Grub and Gratitude: Back at Novus. The staff is lovely, genuinely friendly. They also have a resident cat that likes to perch on the outdoor tables during dinner and stare at you until you feed it. I named him "Trouble." Still no scorpions. So, win?
Day 4: Church Street and the Long Walk Home
- Morning: Church Street: This is where things get interesting, and by interesting, I mean "a bit overwhelming." It’s a bustling street with vendors selling everything under the sun, from beaded necklaces to carved wooden animals. I got lost in the maze and ended up buying a ridiculously large (and probably completely useless) mask. Bargaining is an art form here, and I am clearly a novice.
- Afternoon: The Long Walk, the Longing for a Bed: After walking for an hour in a place that was all kinds of fun and hectic, we went back to our lovely guest inn to chill. After trying to organize some other stuff, we decided to take a nap and take a break from our busy trip.
- Evening: My last night at Novus. Said goodbye to Trouble the cat. Had a final, delicious Bobotie. Realized I'd become surprisingly fond of the place and the chaos of Pretoria itself. Sure, there were moments of panic, moments of pure bewilderment, and moments where I seriously questioned my life choices. But there were also moments of immense beauty, laughter, and a growing sense of… belonging? (Don't tell anyone I said that!). This trip was a mess, a magnificent mess, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
Day 5: Departure and "Goodbye for Now, Pretoria!"
- Morning: Woke up, packed, and said a tearful goodbye to my room. Blessmore picked me up from Novus again. Said a fond farewell to the guest house staff.
- Afternoon: OR Tambo, again. Flight home. Exhausted, exhilarated, and already planning my return. Pretoria, you beautiful, crazy place, you've won me over.
And there you have it. The unvarnished truth. The highlights, the lowlights, the near-death experiences with questionable arachnids. This is Pretoria, unfiltered. And I wouldn't have it any other way. Now, I'm off to find some more biltong! (Maybe.)
Osaka's Hidden Gem: Hotel Saikoukan - Unbelievable Luxury Awaits!
Novus Guest House: The Real Deal? Your Burning Questions (and My Ramblings) Answered!
Okay, so, what's Novus Guest House *actually* like? Is it as fancy as those Instagram pics?
The rooms... are they actually *nice*? Because let's be honest, "pictures can be deceiving."
Breakfast. Is it a sad continental spread or the real deal? I need fuel!
Location, location location! Is it actually convenient? Or do you spend your whole trip in a taxi?
What about the staff? Are they friendly? Do they *actually* care?
Alright, time to be brutally honest: What’s the catch? What REALLY annoyed you?
Would you go back? And would you recommend it? Dish the dirt!
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