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https://travelground.imgix.net/AAEAAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAlvgkecOz7UXyzLubjHmehgrtqflCulPsVjqJAnxYPVCuEkzriV?w=1440&h=960&fit=crop&auto=enhance,format,compress&q=80
From R1 000 per night (sleeps 6)
86
5
1
4
12 Fick Street
Parys
9585
Free State
021 344 2440
14:00-19:00
10:00
-26.895897775996
27.458818234463
Rambling Rapids
Rambling Rapids
Rambling Rapids
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The self-catering house is presented over 2 levels. The ground floor has 2 double bedrooms each with their own en-suite bathroom. The main bedroom has French doors opening to small courtyard with security gates so one can sleep to the sound of the river.
There are an open-plan kitchen and dining area which is fully equipped for self-catering. The kitchen and dining area have concertina doors which open the front of the house fully and goes out to a large patio area which looks out at the river flowing towards guests.
The upper level, which is also open-plan, has a lounge area with flat-screen TV and 2 sleeper couches. There is a selection of DStv channels available. Free wifi included.
The house has off-street parking for at least 2 cars.
The town's Main Street is 5 minutes walk away to browse the shops or go for drinks, guests can easily walk.
The self-catering house is presented over 2 levels. The ground floor has 2 double bedrooms each with their own en-suite bathroom. The main bedroom has French doors opening to small courtyard with security gates so one can sleep to the sound of the river.
There are an open-plan kitchen and dining area which is fully equipped for self-catering. The kitchen and dining area have concertina doors which open the front of the house fully and goes out to a large patio area which looks out at the river flowing towards guests.
The upper level, which is also open-plan, has a lounge area with flat-screen TV and 2 sleeper couches. There is a selection of DStv channels available. Free wifi included.
The house has off-street parking for at least 2 cars.
The town's Main Street is 5 minutes walk away to browse the shops or go for drinks, guests can easily walk.
Features
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Reviews (86)
86 guests' feedbackGreat stay, the location is walking distance from the main street.
I had a very nice stay. The unit was clean, easy to find.
The living unit was a bit below expectations. The rooms were too cramped and needed a lot of work. The walls at the bed's headboard were very ugly. The floors were sticky and dirty because they are cement floors. The color of the walls darkens the rooms even more. The one shower head was so close to the wall and faucets that you almost had to stand against the wall to rinse. The hot water faucet head was also loose and leaking water and was then difficult to turn on. There was only a curtain covering the toilet's entrance. It is not worth the money at all. I would think it should be around R700.00 per night. The cement floors were cracked and the wall by the fridge where the broom and mop stood was very dirty. The beds didn't sleep well either.
Shower faucets and doors are broken, and the water pressure is next to nothing.
Very nice stay, thank you.
Spacious residence. Good location and very good value for money.
It was pleasant, the view was amazing and so was the staff. I would highly recommend it. Our checkout time was 10 a.m., but they were kind enough to let us wait there for our transport. I had a great time!
Overall, my stay at the accommodation was satisfactory, although there were a few notable aspects that affected the experience. The cleanliness of the accommodation was acceptable, and while the facilities seemed a bit outdated, they didn't significantly impact my stay. The presence of bats in the roof and occasionally inside the house was an issue, but the owner promptly addressed this concern by taking measures to remove them from the house. This proactive response to the issue was appreciated. Despite the outdated facilities, the property offered a pleasant view of the river, which added to the experience. Additionally, its convenient proximity to shops and restaurants was a definite plus, making it convenient for guests to access amenities nearby. In conclusion, considering the responsiveness of the owner to the bat issue and the property's convenient location, I would still recommend this accommodation to others. However, improvements in updating the facilities could further enhance the overall experience for future guests.
The place was neat.
Simon is very friendly and helpful. We booked in earlier and they were very accommodating. Will definitely go to The White Giraffe River Cottage again soon.
I slept well, thank you.
There is no carpeting. Cement floors. The bedding is not ironed at all and not good quality. No street number or the cottage's name visible or posted. Difficulty finding the place. The showers do not have containers for soap or shampoo. Shower doors don't close. Generally an unkempt place. With a little attention and spending it can be a beautiful place. It's the first time in all these years that a place to stay has disappointed me. Would definitely not recommend the place.
One recommendation is that a safety gate/Trellidoor should be installed at the door in the driveway. The door is locked with a lock and chain and does not engage well in the tracks below. The wind was quite strong one day and the door opened (like a concertina) as far as the chain would allow. The fridge is not working 100% - the freezer is ok but the fridge temperature is not so good.
I was happy with the place and customer service.
Very basic yet everything works. Back again soon. Good service.
We were surprised when we arrived. The pictures show a pool, and there is none. Also, the pictures don't show the whole place from the outside, just the inside. There are not many cupboards in the kitchen. Bedding has stains on it (yellow spots). One cannot see the street between the house and the river in the photos. There is no lawn. Every morning one has to sweep up the bat droppings and wipe them off sofas and tables. The walls are moldy, there are cobwebs in the door frames and roof. Loft smells like rat/bat urine. Shower doors broken or not closing. Kitchen faucet left. I will investigate better next time.
Very cute place. Neat and everything you need is there. Nicely centrally located. Walking distance from town. Walked everywhere we wanted to be.
We were bitterly disappointed. We considered driving back on Friday but yes fuel is expensive, it was my husband's 66th birthday on Saturday and even the kids were shocked at what we paid. There is a busy road in front of the house, which does not get quiet, which does not show in photos. Beggars are constantly standing by the low front wall if you sit on the porch. The kamma green lawns in photos are meters high bushes, grass and weeds that make you cannot see river. Fishing spot is who knows where and full of drunk people, rubbish lying everywhere. Bathrooms were dirty. There are bats in roof that move in and out of loft openings and make noises and scurry all the time. There are 2 old women sitting diagonally across the road on the porch all day, my grandchild's shoe accidentally fell over the wall, the neighbors were not at home. She climbed over the wall to get a shoe. Immediately then I got calls and WhatsApp that neighbors reported that we were climbing into other yard. Should I have left the shoe there? We are grandma and grandpa, not burglars! I am actually so upset and disappointed, will not book through you guys again. For us, R2400 is a lot of money. I took pictures of how it really is.
But there are many vagrants and the river's picnic area is terribly dirty and neglected.
My sister had to look after my dog and the streets around the accommodation were nice and quiet for them to walk.
See stars.
Everything feels cleaned up. Trash is creepy to open, cobwebs, dirty windows and doors.
I hardly slept as I was sleeping on the couch upstairs and the rats make noise and it was uncomfortable because I am scared of them. I hated the rats more than anything else, I was uncomfortable sleeping.
Simon was very informative and helpful.
DStv is needed for sports lovers limited package was useless. No Wi-Fi a bad draw back.
Lighting generally very poor.
Very comfortable for 4 adults and 2 children. River was running strong for fishing. Really enjoyed the atmosphere and location.
Accommodation itself was neat and clean. The location unfortunately not. There is a road between the unit and the river. Road very busy. People use lawn opposite unit to have drinks and it intrudes on one's privacy. Hobos are a lot of trouble if you sit on the porch and we didn't feel comfortable getting out of the unit in the dark to open and close the gate.
We chose to spend the night in Paris on our way home. Have slept in other overnight accommodation, but will definitely use the overnight facility again. Nice view from the porch and everything is there that is needed.
Enjoyed a lot. Pet friendly, clean and safe.
The place itself is very cosy and nice, but the street in front of the cottage is so busy and the cars are speeding up and down the street and there were a lot of beggars walking past the property begging. If one could pick up the cottage and put it where there is not so much hustle and bustle in the street, it would have been very nice. Cars were parked in front of the place, for people to picnic, which is taking a lot of one's privacy away.
Accommodation was pleasant. Comfortable beds, lovely view of river. Lovely fireplace. It would have been a plus if there was firewood available on arrival. The whole place needs some TLC. It does not create a good impression that the one outer door is locked with a chain and lock. Would also have felt safer if the entrance gate to the premises could lock, as there is quite a walk through in the street in front of the house.
The White Giraffe is centrally located in Parys, just across the road from the river. The High Street of Parys is within walking distance of the house. The facility has a good layout with a nice fire place and an upstairs lounge. However we have the comments to share. The low front wall allows a view of the riverbank from the patio, however numerous vagrants imposed themselves upon you especially during meal times. The lighting at the house, both inside and outside, is very poor and whilst we enjoy wildlife, the bats roosting in the roof are a nuisance after dark. The bedrooms are well appointed however, the beds are worn.
See stars.
Stay was pleasant. There was just no provision, e.g. candles for power outages.
Cute little place for a quick getaway.
Enough space in the living area. Nice atmosphere.
The bedrooms/bathrooms are run down and shabby and, unlike the photo, there is a road between the house and river. This place needs some love and attention. The sink is mounted at almost chest height so it is difficult to wash up and the mixer is loose and flops around. The bedlinen and mats are threadbare, no bedside lights, missing cornice, dirty broken bedroom/bathroom windows frames, dirty difficult to use shower etc. Based on the photo I had expected to have a direct view of the river and be able to walk down but there is a suburban road in between and the view is obstructed by alien shrubs.
Neat 2 bedrooms en suite. Nice fireplace in the kitchen for the cold evenings. Have to say, the work surface and sink in kitchen are not built for short people.
Had a wonderful stay and the view from the porch is so wonderful! And the sound of the running river at Cherry On Top! Will definitely use and recommend The White Giraffe River Cottage again.
We enjoyed a hassle free weekend as a family. Facility was more than we expected. Great value for money. I will definitely be returning. Big thank you to Simon for everything.
Als was clean, but the house is a little dilapidated and needs a paint, the bedding is not great either. There is also no hand soap in the bathrooms. The place has a lot of potential but needs some TLC.
There are always many pedestrians right in front of the house.
Very clean and tidy, close to everything and information booklet is very valuable.
The cottage needs a few things- like steak knives or any other sharp knives. Dustbins in the bathrooms. The shower door is missing in one bathroom. The Webber braai's handle on the lid is missing so it's difficult to lift the lid when it's hot. It is very dark at night in the dining room/TV room because the main light is missing. There where black bags full of rubbish at the back of the cottage which stink when we got there.
While the 2 double beds with bathrooms were excellent the sleeper couch upstairs was not. I would suggest advertising two couples.
For people who cannot live with bats, the guest house is not recommended. There seem to be no active security services.
My mother forgot a gold chain there. The cleaner handed it over to Simon, the caretaker, who immediately called us to collect it.
Value for money, good service.
See stars.
Lovely stay with a view of the river from the sunny kitchen.
Nice location, basic accommodation but everything is there, needs some maintenance to make it a very pleasant place.
The cottage is centrally located, within walking distance of all the activities and restaurants on the main street. Ideal for short/weekend stays. We had a great time relaxing and will definitely check in again!
The unit consists of a neat 2 bedroom thatched roof and en-suite bathrooms downstairs. There is a well-equipped kitchenette and washing machine. The unit offers a beautiful view of the Vaal River and the bickering of the water puts you in a quiet mood. All facilities are within walking distance of the unit.
See stars.
There weren't any problems, and we had a great time staying there with our children for a few days.
The bathrooms, showers and floors were not properly cleaned and the bedding was worn and didn't feel good. All the doors couldn't open so we could cool down and the tree on the braai-patio constantly made a mess. It is the only place on the street with a low wall over which passers-by can see or climb, so unsafe.
The little kitchen has new appliances, but the equipment is sparse. The linen was clean, but the exterior of the unit itself requires a good clean. The windows, doors, sliding doors, kitchen cupboards were dirty. The garden is non-existent, and the previous visitors dog poo was still on the paving. The braai is old, wasn't clean and therefore we did not use it. It might have been due to the Christmas season, but a steady stream of vagrants begging over the wall was unnerving.
The Cottage was very neat and has a beautiful view of the river.
Comfortable and reasonable. Please replace the mattresses.
Very nice and peaceful place. It's nice that the place allows dogs, with a "own" yard and the beagles can roam around outside. We will spend the night there again. The sink is higher than normal, but the ladies in our group say it's so the men have to do the washing up. The place is self-catering, so take your own body soap, salt and pepper, matches, blitz, etc. together.
Pleasant weekend, accommodation was neat and comfortable. The area Parys is a very cute town, many shops and restaurants.
Since we walked in the place gave us peace and quiet, which was what we needed. I will rent the place again. Has everything you need.
Lovely accommodation in Paris with a beautiful view.
The cottage is not clean. The rooms are extremely small and cramped. The bedding could really improve. The price is too high for what you get. The only place that was kind of good was the loft and the view of the river.
It is a beautiful little place, but terribly impractical. The TV room in the loft is neat but it is a steep climb up the smooth, slippery stairs to get to the top. Because of this we never used the TV room. The kitchen sink is about chest/shoulder-height and so impossible to wash up. Also the kitchen counter top where food had to be prepared. I am a tall person and I had to get a little step to stand on. Short people (1,7 and shorter) will have difficulty. The accommodation is pleasant and the fact that our pets could go along was fantastic. All in all we enjoyed it very much. Thanks.
It is a very nice place that provides all the basic needs. Would only recommend that all the exterior doors be lockable.
Cottage very centrally located in peaceful area. Supply in all needs.
Pleasantly surprised by a very reasonable price for a beautiful place, with a lovely atmosphere that is clean and tidy with everything you need. Will definitely visit again.
Great overnight stay for our family. Everything and more!
Excellent value for money, against the river and walking distance from the town centre. A lovely, social atmosphere.
The place is well furnished and the outdoor seating area is a plus. We could also walk to the shops on the main street.
One is used to, when you stay somewhere, you always have to bring something yourself. This time I was really surprised. We could just walk in and stay. The rooms are nice with everything you need, even the "always forgotten" two prong plug. The veranda overlooks the river and you can sit and visit long after dark. Perfect place for the whole family with enough space for everyone to have a place.
This really was the best located accommodation, we were able to arrive and park our car and never needed to use it again till we left. The town's main road is a short walk from the cottage but still the cottage location is right by the river with the most stunning view, so nice in the morning to sit and have your coffee with the view of the sun coming up over the river. The cottage itself is perfect for 2 couples and the kids have the top level with the TV which they loved. House has everything you will need. Simon, the host, was helpful and friendly. 5 stars from us!
Was a very nice visit in Paris! The accommodation was a great surprise! Feeling like we could retire right then and there! Good location and view.
The place is perfect for someone in the week for business or a family for one night. Very small yard, very busy street in front of the unit and no privacy due to the low wall in front of the house, no braai area, just one rusty braai in the corner of the yard. The river is close to the unit but you have to leave your unit and walk about 150m before you can fish, as mentioned there is a busy street between the unit and the river.
The cottage is perfectly situated directly across the river and we enjoyed sitting on the patio watching the waters flow over the rocks. However, the accommodation is very basic for the price that you pay. There are no oven gloves and the roasting pan is badly rusted, so we had to make a plan and wrap it in tinfoil before we could use it. Small dustbins in the bathroom would also be nice. No establishment guest book explaining how to use the alarm system or any brochures advertising the town and what to do. There were also bats in the roof that scared us half to death when they came flying past in the lounge and kitchen areas, and early in the morning we would find them sleeping on the floor or against the curtains or in the kitchen rack. Overall the cottage seems to be "unfinished", but the Christmas decorations and lights were a nice homely touch, and we still had a relaxing break.
We had a great time. The meeting space is adequately equipped and spacious. The master bedroom is also acceptable. The second bedroom is cramped and the bathroom inadequately furnished.
We had a great stay. Has everything you need.
We were just looking for a place to sleep for the night. Was satisfied with everything.
The unit was very neat and clean. Simon received us well and was very friendly. Accommodation is within walking distance of town.
A little stand alone house on its own property. Beautiful view of the river.
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The self-catering house is presented over 2 levels. The ground floor has 2 double bedrooms each with their own en-suite bathroom. The main bedroom has French doors opening to small courtyard with security gates so one can sleep to the sound of the river.
There are an open-plan kitchen and dining area which is fully equipped for self-catering. The kitchen and dining area have concertina doors which open the front of the house fully and goes out to a large patio area which looks out at the river flowing towards guests.
The upper level, which is also open-plan, has a lounge area with flat-screen TV and 2 sleeper couches. There is a selection of DStv channels available. Free wifi included.
The house has off-street parking for at least 2 cars.
The town's Main Street is 5 minutes walk away to browse the shops or go for drinks, guests can easily walk.
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