Am Lodge - Hoedspruit

Unparalleled experience. The AM staff took our stay at the villa to the next level. Prescilla, Origin, Jessica, Chris, Eunice, SK, and Devot exceeded expectations. Highly recommend for a surreal and epic safari adventure in South Africa.

Service nad hospitality was second to none. Priscilla our guide made sure that we felt at home and was on top of the game all the time. Jessica the Chef made sure that our tummies remained full and the food was very tasty. Themba the tracker made sure that our game drives were worth it- we encountered all the Big 5

A place to be , to relax and refresh your mind and spend time with your love ones. I would definitely recommend a visit to the place and experience the beauty of it and see how relaxed it is and enjoy wildlife

Terrible experience. Avoid this unethical place. We paid for our stay, but the hotel canceled it anyway saying there was some credit card issue when I paid for it months ago. They took a too bad position, we sold it for a higher rate was the implication. I’m still trying to get my money back. Horrible!

Excellent experience from the security gate to the reception Happy faces an food to die for Absolutely awesome as usual Breathtaking views an game drive The drinks and wine available with all different brands The staff are well trained friendly an all ways accommodating

I find this a difficult review to write as the staff were so friendly and tried hard, which made it difficult to complain where it is not up to standard. Positive: The decor was beautiful, very tasteful and in keeping with the safari theme. The tracker and our guide were very knowledgeable of the area and as such, we were lucky enough to see all of the Big 5. Gym facilities looked great, sadly we didn't have time to utilise. Staff were friendly and helpful, and our welcome was lovely with a drink pre-prepared. Negative: Booked in 2020 and had to re-arrange following covid. I informed them we were coming for our honeymoon, and we wanted to be allocated the honeymoon suite with the private terrace and eating area looking out over the landscape, which was the same price as the other superior suite. At the time of booking this was called 'Xihloni' also known as suite '8'. However, upon arrival we found that whilst we had been allocated the Xohloni, it had been moved to Suite 7... which was not the suite we had longingly waited for. This was a huge disappointment; we booked AM Lodge specifically after falling in love with that room. Another couple were in Suite 8, so no joy. There were other issues during our stay: Food was NOT good - I appreciate the awards this place has received, and this played a part in why I booked it, but the food was shocking and more in line with 3*. Poor quality, incomplete, overcooked and often cold. Broccoli was old, hence they cut off most of the head. I am unsure if this was perhaps due to it being early in the season for them (October) perhaps they did not have their usual chefs in? Either way .... it was not acceptable, and we actually skipped a few meals because of this. Communication wasn't great. We would be told various different times when trying to organise safari trips, wake-up calls etc. It was confusing. The staff were so lovely, knowledgeable and friendly but it was certainly more of a 'ask and we'll answer ' sort of establishment, which is not what you would expect of 5* Luxury, I would expect to be told information about the animals and area etc. This goes for lodge staff as well, we were told when we arrived our fridge was empty because until they know what we like, they can't stock up. This however remained the situation and if we ever wanted a drink; water, wine, etc - we had to call the front desk, ask and wait for it to be delivered. You should also communicate / advertise that the reserve doesn't host the big 5, infact not even close and that the daily safari is done on another reserve, meaning a 45-minute drive to the reserve before even starting the safari. I didn't mind but I do feel this should be made clear. Not 5* Luxury, we made the most of it because it was our honeymoon but actually very disappointed. Poor for the price but with such amazing potential.