Ekhaya Guest House

EKHAYA Guest House - Ballito Be warned - the family room is essentially one big bed with two single beds next to it, and getting there involves climbing a very steep staircase. The pictures in the advertisement are quite misleading. Upon entering, there was an overpowering smell of bleach. Everything downstairs looked run-down and weathered. The kitchen counter was cluttered, especially with bottles of alcohol. It seemed like someone was living in the downstairs room, and the owner appears to reside on-site as well. This is definitely not a family-friendly space. We left within 10 minutes of arriving. I wish I took pictures to post, we were too repulsed to stay long enough to do that.

One of the reasons I visit Guest Houses is because its a personalised experience and very much like home from home. I am a solo business woman and enjoy feeling safe and secure and most of my work is online. So I also want to be able to work from the environment that I find myself in, without being in the way of others who are checking in or checking out. Ekhaya is one such place and I must say the rooms were spotless and neatly laid out, the breakfast was served when I was ready and I loved the big screen in the living room which was just like being at the movies. Richard, our host, was attentive without being in the way, and his ability to make me feel at home, was just what I needed when I left home. I loved that he saw the monkeys as animals whose home was his home and although they were kept at bay, he didn't treat them as intruders. When you are next in Ballito, pop in and stay with Richard. You will definitely enjoy the experience. You can watch is interview on Youtube as he tells his story from England to South Africa and what an interesting story it is. SA Commuter Online. Or listen to his story on Life is a Beach on IONO podcast.