Pippins Country House in Grabouw. 3.1666665 out of 5. 2 ratings. 2 user reviews.
Description
Pippins Country House is a guest house and backpackers situated in the heart of apple-growing country, Grabouw. Pippins provides an escape from the city lights, yet is only a 50-minute drive away from Cape Town. Grabouw is located in the Elgin Valley, which is a green paradise with enchanting stretches of forest, vineyards and orchards as far as the eye can see.
Accommodation is offered in dorms, twin rooms, luxury double rooms and campsites. The rooms are en-suite, and there is also a full kitchen available for guests use with tea and coffee-making facilities as well as a licensed bar and a large braai area.
Guests can fish and swim in nearby dams, or go horse-riding, mountain biking and hiking. Grabouw is not far from the coastal towns of Gordon’s Bay, Kleinmond and Hermanus, and Strand and Somerset West are only a short drive away.
2 Reviews for Pippins Country House in Grabouw
All Ratings:
Pippins Country House in Grabouw Reviewed by Stuart Barnard, South Africa on . Mixed feelings<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: arial, sans-serif; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;">Upon booking for Pippins Country House I was surprised to find the price</span><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"> </span><em>not</em><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: arial, sans-serif; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;">as quoted on the site. It is R200 a dormitory room!</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'times new roman', serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: 15.75pt;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: 15.75pt;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">This</span><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"> </span><em>excludes</em><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">: a working shower,enough plug-points for all in the dormitory, breakfast and tea/ sugar/quaffable coffee.<br /><br />Perhaps the prices tended into the region of extortion when the owners realised they are one of the few 'budget' accommodations in the region for the long weekend that can be easily located and booked.<br /><br />I was severely disappointed and mildly amused at Pippins.</span><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><br /><br />My initial surprise led to frustration upon realisation that R200 a night was not justified by the state of Pippins.</span><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><br /><br />There is a fine line between chic, shabby and having little-to-no-competition and therefore allowing what could be an absolutely stunning backpackers to become a old, smelly, found-wanting getaway. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: 15.75pt;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: 23.3333339691162px;"><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 15.75pt;">The mattress I had has seen one too many extra-kilo attendees. There were two plug-points (no adapters) for a dorm of 8. Only the main-light worked,with the two bedside lights broken. One light was literally falling off the wall.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 15.75pt;">The kitchen's fridge-space was "at a </span><span style="line-height: 21px;">premium</span><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 15.75pt;">" and I was advised to try and leave as much as I could in my own cooler box (not very accommodating since I wasn't even offered some ice). The fridge has its own extractor fan, from the 1400's. Most of the knives are old and blunt, with plates and bowls a treasure hunt each time.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: 15.75pt;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><br />If you bring your own wine, it's R10 corkage. If you buy a beer, check the glass for sharp rims and cracks. It better be nice weather, or else finding somewhere to eat inside might become interesting. <br /><br />The shower was a hose coming out of the wall, with a curtain not reaching the tub, so the floor got wet every time. The hot water is quick and piping-hot.Each time I wiped my rear-end I was scared of perforating the 1/2 - ply paper provided. Tip: take plenty and layer it.<br /><br />It's a beautiful spot, with amazing potential. I just feel it's being left to the dogs (literally, close the dorm door or they are on your bed). Ashtrays are left to rot, the pool table you have to pay for too. There's very little gratis(except the Ricoffee, how generous). <br /><br />Perhaps this review might encourage some effort being put in to an absolutely stunning location and abode that seems to be living off former glory. Baboons know where there's easy pickings and the unclosed dustbins were ravaged one evening (perhaps even by the dogs).<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 23.3333339691162px;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
Pippins Country House in Grabouw Reviewed by Sandy Parker, South Africa on . Coming home Our second time at Pippins and it was like coming home. Still the same quiet comfortable room and still the same wonderful welcoming people. We really enjoyed our stay and were sad to say goodbye. Would definitely recommend Pippins to everyone. Will definitely be back again. Thanks again John-John, Jan-Reinier, Mila and the two woofs.
