Pretoria's Hidden Gem: Unwind at Andante Lodge!
Pretoria's Hidden Gem: Andante Lodge - A Rambling, Honest Review (with SEO!)
Okay, so, Pretoria's Hidden Gem: Andante Lodge. I’ve been promising myself a proper escape for ages, and finally, I bit the bullet. Let me tell you, finding the right place in Pretoria can feel like navigating a maze blindfolded. But this place… this place has potential. And trust me, I’m going to spill the tea, the good, the bad, and the slightly questionable. Buckle up, because this is going to be a long one! (But hopefully, a useful one, especially if you're Googling "Pretoria hotels" or "Spa retreat Pretoria" – I'm dropping those keywords like confetti!)
First Impressions & Accessibility (and a little bit of anxiety, TBH)
Finding Andante Lodge was… well, it wasn’t exactly easy. My GPS seemed to have a vendetta against me. Finally, after circling the block three times, I found it. The exterior… it's… charming. Think elegant but not ostentatious in the way you sometimes get in these parts. The entrance though… that's where the "hidden gem" part starts to make sense.
Accessibility: Alright, let’s get down to brass tacks. This is SUPER important to me (Accessibility is important, and the lodge has provisions).
- Wheelchair Accessible: Now, I didn't specifically check to make sure everything was perfectly aligned for someone in a wheelchair. But the reception desk, the dining room, and at least the entrance to the restaurant looked like they would be easy to access. But I didn't get to look into all the details. They should really specify this more clearly on their website, to be honest.
- Elevator: Thank the heavens! After my GPS drama, the elevator was a welcome sight. Big plus for me - and anyone with luggage, mobility issues, or just plain laziness.
- Facilities for Disabled Guests: Again, I don't have personal experience to give you specifics, but they do claim to have them.
- Meeting/banquet facilities I didn't go to any of the venues.
- Indoor venue for special events There are facilities to conduct indoor special events.
- Outdoor venue for special events There are facilities to conduct outdoor special events.
- CCTV in common areas: Okay, so a bit of a mixed bag here. It’s good for security (and sanity), and they seem to take security seriously, with 24-hour security and a doorman (and the CCTV outside the property)
- Check-in/out [express], Check-in/out [private] and 24-hour front desk: All really good
- Safety/security feature, Smoke alarms, Fire extinguisher: Makes you feel safer and secure.
Cleanliness and Safety (because 2024, am I right?)
Okay, post-pandemic, this is everything to me. And Andante Lodge seems to get it.
- Rooms sanitized between stays, Daily disinfection in common areas and professional-grade sanitizing services : HUGE thumbs up. Gives me peace of mind to know they're taking it seriously.
- Anti-viral cleaning products + Hand sanitizer: Good, but everywhere should have those now
- Hot water linen and laundry washing: Pretty much standard now.
- Individually-wrapped food options: Makes me feel safe.
- Safe dining setup: This is good.
Rooms – Finally, Some "Unwind" Time! (And a few minor gripes)
I did manage to book a decent room, and it felt spacious. I got the room with a private bathroom, separate shower and bathtub, and the usual luxury.
- Available in all rooms: Okay, for the basics, Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Bathrooms, Blackout curtains, Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Interconnecting room(s) available, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Safety/security feature, Satellite/cable channels, Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens.
- Internet access – wireless, Wi-Fi [free]: That's great, and they really make you feel that free wi-fi is a must.
- Non-smoking rooms: Huge plus for me!
- Room decorations: Decent, but nothing to write home about.
- Soundproofing: Pretty good; didn't hear much from my neighbours.
Now, Some Honest Grips and Quirks:
- The Bathroom: Perfectly functional, but the toiletries were… a bit basic. They could definitely upgrade those. And this is where my inner Karen emerges… the water pressure in the first shower was terrible. Mentioned it, and they did fix it, but still!
- The View: My room faced the garden, which was pleasant. But nothing that would make you gasp.
- The Blackout Curtains: Essential for sleep, but they didn't quite block out all the light. A minor quibble, but a quibble nonetheless.
- Additional toilet: Unfortunately there were none.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking – Fueled by Coffee and Anticipation!
This is where things got interesting.
- Restaurants, Bar, Poolside bar, Coffee shop: They have variety!
- Room service [24-hour]: This is gold when you just want to hide in your room and eat nachos (yes, I did that).
- Breakfast [buffet], A la carte in restaurant, Buffet in restaurant, Coffee/tea in restaurant: The food, oh, the food! I skipped the buffets, but the a la carte menu for dinner was actually surprisingly good.
- Desserts in restaurant, Salad in restaurant, Soup in restaurant: All good.
- Asian cuisine in restaurant, International cuisine in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant: They have variety!
- Happy hour: Excellent!
The Pool with a View – This is Where It Gets Good! (And I Lose Myself)
Okay, this is why I booked. The pool area. The real gem. They have the "Pool with a view", and trust me, it's Instagram-worthy.
- Swimming pool, Swimming pool [outdoor]: It's massive, sparkling, and… oh man, the escape!
- Spa/sauna: Very relaxing.
- Sauna, Steamroom: You can tell the staff is working to give you one of the best experiences that you want.
I'm not a big spa person, but the sauna was absolute heaven. And then, the pool. I spent hours just lying there, sun on my face, a cocktail in hand. It was pure bliss and perfect. I’m telling you, this is where Andante Lodge shines. This is where you unwind. A solid 9/10 on the "escape from reality" scale. If you’re a pool person, book. Just. Book.
Things to Do (Beyond the Pool, Because, You Know, People)
- Fitness center, Gym/fitness: They have a good gym, for those inclined.
- Ways to relax: They cater that.
- Body scrub, Body wrap, Foot bath, Massage: Full spa treatment.
Services and Conveniences – The Little Things That Matter
- Front desk [24-hour], Concierge, Daily housekeeping: Always a plus.
- Air conditioning in public area: Essential for Pretoria!
- Currency exchange, Cash withdrawal: Convenient.
- Gift/souvenir shop, Dry cleaning, Laundry service, Ironing service: Useful.
- Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site]: Parking was easy.
Getting Around
- Airport transfer, Taxi service: Nice to know they offer these.
- Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Car power charging station, Valet parking, Bicycle parking: Very good!
For the Kids (If you're traveling with tiny humans)
- Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, Kids meal: They seem to cater for families, which is great.
Business Facilities (Because, Sigh, Life)
- Business facilities, Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings, Seminars, Audio-visual equipment for special events, Xerox/fax in business center, Projector/LED display, Meeting stationery, Indoor venue for special events, Outdoor venue for special events
- Invoice provided: Nice touch.
Andante Lodge – My Verdict
Look, it’
Escape to Paradise: K-1 Modern Art Hotel, Nan Nan, Thailand
Okay, buckle up buttercup, because we're about to dive headfirst into the beautifully chaotic mess that is my Andante Lodge adventure in Pretoria, South Africa. Forget bullet points and perfectly curated itineraries – this is gonna be a rambling, opinionated, and probably slightly sweaty account of my attempt to experience "local" life, and by local, I mean, not immediately run screaming back to the airport.
The Andante Lodge Antics: A Pretoria Pilgrimage (or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Dust)
Day 1: Arrival, Anxiety, and the Glorious Burden of Choice
- Morning (like, REALLY morning): Landed. Johannesburg. Holy moly, jet lag hit me like a brick in the face. Spent an hour stumbling around the airport trying to find the "Arrivals" sign (pretty sure it was strategically hidden). Finally snagged a shuttle to Andante Lodge, which, from the outside, looked less like a lodge and more like a charmingly overgrown Victorian mansion. The air tasted of…dust and anticipation. Mostly dust.
- Afternoon: Check-in. The owner, bless her heart, was this whirlwind of a woman named Brenda, who greeted me with a hug that felt suspiciously like she was checking for hidden weapons. She bombarded me with information about things to do in Pretoria. The sheer volume of options made my brain feel like scrambled eggs. "Pretoria Zoo! Voortrekker Monument! Kruger National Park (a day trip, are you mad?!). The options! The choices! The…pressure! I'm pretty sure I just stared blankly at her for a solid five minutes.
- Early Evening: Settled into my room. The decor was…eclectic. Think mismatched furniture, a surprisingly comfortable antique four-poster bed (score!), and a painting of a very intense-looking giraffe. Brenda had mentioned a "sparkling pool" and I spent a good 10 minutes contemplating whether the cloud of dust hovering over it had some magical properties. I needed a drink. Badly. Found a bottle of local wine in the mini-bar (expensive, but worth it for my sanity). Sipped it on the veranda as the sun set, watching a family of ibises squabble over who got to eat the best worms. Pure, unadulterated bliss. And then a mosquito bit me on the bum. Classic.
Day 2: Culture, Coffee, and a Close Encounter of the Rooftop Cat Kind
- Morning: Decided I needed some serious cultural exposure. Headed to the Voortrekker Monument. Epic. Seriously. The architecture is… well, it's imposing, to say the least. I wandered around, feeling simultaneously tiny and overwhelmed by history. I took approximately a thousand photos, most of them blurry. The museum inside was fascinating, but also a little… intense. Let's just say the subject matter wasn’t exactly a barrel of laughs (history, you know?). I ended up taking a break outside and attempting to meditate under a tree, which was going swimmingly until a rogue baboon started eyeing my backpack with alarming interest.
- Afternoon: Coffee break! Wandered the streets of Hatfield, the area near the Lodge, hoping to find something decent. Turns out, finding a decent coffee spot in Pretoria is harder than nailing jelly to a tree. Finally found a place that served a passable flat white. Sat outside, watched the world go by, and eavesdropped on a heated discussion about politics (South Africa politics are… intense).
- Evening: Back at the Lodge. While heading to the pool, saw a cat stalking me and I thought it will be a nice picture. The cat went to the roof and I followed it. The pool never was the same after that, but it didn't matter, I was stuck watching that cat. Turns out, that cat was watching me.
Day 3: The Pretoria Zoo & The Unexpected Magic of a Simple Meal
- Morning: I got up early today. And I mean early. The Pretoria Zoo! I’m generally a fan of the animal kingdom, but I always find myself feeling conflicted at zoos. It was a mix of awe and a certain sadness. The elephants were majestic but looked slightly…bored. The lions were snoozing. The giraffes, again, were intense. But the monkeys, oh, the monkeys! They were hilarious, chaotic, and made me laugh so hard I almost choked on my ice cream. (Yes, I had ice cream at 10 am. Don't judge).
- Afternoon: After the animals, I felt emotionally drained. I took a walk around Hatfield. It was beautiful. The streets had all kinds of art. Then I went back to the Lodge.
- Evening: Brenda, seeing my slightly shell-shocked state, suggested I try a local restaurant outside the main gate. The place was called "The Corner Store," and I went there with a mix of skepticism and hunger. The food was simple, honest, home-cooked. I had a bobotie, a traditional South African dish, and it was the most delicious thing I'd eaten in days. Ate every morsel. Sat outside. Watched the stars come out, feeling a sudden, unexpected wave of contentment. Something about the simplicity of the evening—the good food, the quiet conversations, the feeling of being somewhere—made Pretoria, for the first time, feel like a home.
Day 4: Farewell, Pretoria (and the relentless dust!)
- Morning: Woke up, packed my bags, and took a last, lingering look at the intense-looking giraffe in my room. Had a final, slightly watery, cup of coffee on the veranda, watching the ibises, now familiar faces, squabble over breakfast.
- Afternoon: Shuttle back to the airport. The dust, still, was everywhere. I left Pretoria with a slightly sunburned nose, a slightly more open mind, and a distinct craving for bobotie. I also left with a feeling of connection to the place and the people I met.
- Evening: Plane. Somewhere over the ocean. Reflecting. Pretoria wasn't perfect. It was messy, chaotic, and sometimes a little overwhelming. But it was real. And, yeah, the dust. But somehow, I wouldn't have it any other way. Andante Lodge, you gorgeous, slightly eccentric, dusty haven, you were a true adventure!
Andante Lodge: The Honest, Messy Truth (Frequently Asked Questions... & My Ramblings!)
1. Okay, So, Andante Lodge. What's the *deal*? (Because I saw the photos... and they're *perfect*.)
Alright, let's be real. The photos? Stunning. Seriously, magazine-worthy. But here's the lowdown: Andante Lodge is *supposed* to be your escape from the Pretoria hustle. Think quiet gardens, a pool that actually looks swim-able (unlike some hotel pools...), and rooms that are… well, they’re *almost* as nice as they look online. Almost. Let's just say, the Wi-Fi can be a fickle mistress, and that "rustic charm" sometimes translates to "a slightly wonky door handle." But hey, that's part of the fun, right? (Or maybe it's me being overly optimistic. Don't judge!)
2. The Pool! Is it *actually* swimmable, or just Instagram-worthy? (This is important.)
Okay, *this* is a crucial question. The pool? It's actually pretty good. Not Olympic-sized, mind you, but clean, refreshing, and with just enough sun-dappled areas for some semi-serious relaxation. I spent a good hour just floating around, pretending to contemplate the meaning of life (while secretly dodging rogue sunbeams). There's something about the chirping of the birds and the subtle scent of chlorine that just, you know, *works*. Though, I did see a tiny little frog leap in at one point. Charming, but made me a little wary of opening my mouth for a good splash. Overall? Totally swim-able. Approved.
3. What's the food situation? Because I'm a hungry traveler. (And fussy.)
Ah, the food. This is where things get a little... interesting. Breakfast is included, and it's... fine. Think continental with a sprinkle of local flavour. The pastries are good, the coffee is passable (bring your own fancy beans if you're a serious coffee snob like me!). Dinner? They offer it, but I honestly didn’t try it. I ventured out - there are some decent restaurants nearby (ask the staff for recommendations, they're usually pretty good, when they are available!), because after a day of lounging by the pool (see question 2!), I wanted something *decadent*. The fact they serve a limited meal at the lodge means you're kind of at the mercy of whether it suits your mood or not.
4. The Rooms! Let's get into the nitty-gritty. Are they clean and comfy? Do they have... all the necessary things?
Right, the rooms. Okay, deep breath. They're clean. *Mostly*. Look, I'm a clean freak, so I'll admit, I did find one tiny, rogue hair in the bathroom sink. But, it can happen, right? Overall, the rooms are comfy, the beds are decent (pillows could be better, in my very important opinion!), and they have the basics. Air conditioning? Check. TV? Check. A slightly wonky door handle? Also check. (Seriously, that handle was a recurring character in my stay). The décor is a bit... "rustic chic," which is code for "a bit dated but trying." But honestly? You're not there to judge interior design; you're there to relax. And the peace and quiet... priceless. I slept like a log. Aside from that one time the neighbor's dog started barking at 3 AM. But that's just life, innit?
5. What about the staff? Are they friendly? Helpful? Do they have a sense of humour? (Crucial!)
The staff... ah, the staff! This is a mixed bag, much like all of existence. Some are absolutely lovely, genuinely helpful, and will go out of their way to assist you. Others… well, let's just say communication can be a little… challenging. English isn't always their strongest suit (especially at the breakfast hustle!). But their hearts are generally in the right place. They TRY. And sometimes, that's all that matters. Be patient. Be kind. Smile. You might just win them over, and score yourself some extra delicious pastries. (I did.)
6. Is it truly a "hidden gem" or just... a pretty OK place? (Be honest!)
Okay, *here's* the brutally honest truth: It's not a "hidden gem" in the sense that no one knows about it. People *do* know. But... and this is a big but… it *feels* like a hidden escape. It's not a glitzy mega-resort. It's quiet, it's peaceful, and it offers a respite from the chaos of life. It’s a comfortable, no-fuss place with a lovely garden and a pool. Is it perfect? Absolutely not. Is it a place I'd go back to? Probably. Especially if that wonky door handle has been fixed. And if they upgrade the coffee. (I'm a high maintenance traveler!)
7. Let's talk about my perfect day there... Andante Style. Walk me through a day, start to finish.
Okay, picture this... It's a Saturday. Or a Tuesday. Who even knows anymore? That's the beauty of Andante! You wake up... after, let's be honest, a slightly later start than planned because you stayed up way too late scrolling through Instagram. (Guilty). You blearily stumble into the shower, discover the water pressure isn't *amazing* but is perfectly adequate. You grab your towel (bonus points if you packed the super-fluffy one), and then you decide. Do you venture to breakfast, or do you embrace the room service and just... linger? (This is a crucial decision).
Assuming you decide on breakfast, you head over and load up on pastries, a little bit of fruit, and you make yourself a coffee. You take your plate, and then do you have the inside versus the outisde breakfast dilemma? Decide if you want to sit inside, or sit in the sunshine. Then, after breakfast, book yourself into the pool. Grab yourself a good book (I'd recommend a trashy beach read, as it fits the mood!). Then, it's pool time. Reading. Napping. Dipping in the water. Avoiding the tiny frogs. Repeat.
Around lunchtime (or when you get peckish), you might consider a light lunch. If you're feeling adventurous you might travel, or you might not. Evening? Head to a decent restaurant, and go back to the room, and sleep like a log.
8. Okay, so, what's the *one* thing I absolutely *need* to know before I book? The ultimate Andante Lodging Pro Tip?
Hmm... The ultimate Andante Pro Tip? Okay, here it is: Lower your expectations – and thenCheap Hotel Search
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