Eastern Cape holiday chateau / country house: Port Alfred

Fort d'Acre exceeded our expectations in all respects. What's so great about it?

1. The lodge is beautifully situated with 3/4 rooms having views towards the Great Fish river mouth and over the reserve. Room size and ensuite were far bigger than I had expected. Servicing of rooms was top class.

2. The beach is fabulous. We are talking white sand and dunes, we are talking deserted, private, we are talking one beach house which belongs to Fort d'Acre. We are talking the stuff of dreams.

3. What a delightful change to make your safari on the back of a horse, and end up riding on the beach. The horses live in the reserve and the reserve animals know them, know their smell. That means you can ride close to rhino, giraffe, kudu, zebra, even buffalo (with our guide watching very carefully), but of course no predators.

4. This is a working farm, and feels like it. You feel part of the family. Marlow, Oscar, and Morris (the dogs) provide a great welcome. Breakfasts were excellent. Need some laundry doing.

5. Mel can advise on excellent local restaurants, which again offer great value.

6. There is a lovely pool in the garden.

We spent 4 weeks in South Africa, staying at 11 locations. Fort d'Acre was one of the best, and certainly the best value. I made only one mistake in planning this vacation- and that was to spend only 2 nights here- it should have been at least 4.

Given what is on offer the price is almost unbelievable- I told Mel as much. And I don't mean +20%, at double the cost it would still be excellent value.