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Areena Riverside Resort

4.0 star property
4-star guestrooms with kitchenettes

Choose dates to view prices

Photo gallery for Areena Riverside Resort

Relax and dine in a tranquil setting surrounded by a calm body of water and lush greenery.
Enjoy a serene riverside retreat with a balcony overlooking the calm waters.
Relax by the pool surrounded by lush greenery and palm trees, with steps leading into the water for easy access.
Guest house nestled among lush greenery, surrounded by palm trees and tropical plants.
Cozy retreat with exposed brick walls, wooden ceiling beams, and two single beds with white headboards.

Reviews

8.6 out of 10
Excellent

Popular amenities

  • Spa
  • Pool
  • Pet friendly
  • Bar
  • Room service
  • Kitchen

Explore the area

Map
East Coast Resorts Rd, Corner of Glen Garriff Turn-off, Great Kei, Eastern Cape, 5259
  • Olivewood Private Estate & Golf Club
    ‪10 min drive‬
  • Inkwenkwezi Private Game Reserve
    ‪12 min drive‬
  • Cintsa Beach
    ‪15 min drive‬
  • East London (ELS)
    ‪44 min drive‬

Room options

View all photos for Traditional Bungalow

Traditional Bungalow | View from room

Traditional Bungalow

  • Lake view
  • Sleeps 4
  • 1 Double Bed and 4 Twin Beds

View all photos for Double Room

Double Room | 2 bedrooms, desk, iron/ironing board, bed sheets

Double Room

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(1 review)
  • Lake view
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double Bed OR 2 Twin Beds

View all photos for Cottage, 2 Bedrooms

Cottage, 2 Bedrooms | 2 bedrooms, desk, iron/ironing board, bed sheets

Cottage, 2 Bedrooms

  • Lake view
  • Sleeps 4
  • 1 Double Bed and 1 Twin Bunk Bed

About the neighborhood

Great Kei

Close to the beach.Within 6 miles (10 km) of this Great Kei hotel, you'll find Olivewood Private Estate & Golf Club and Inkwenkwezi Private Game Reserve. Cintsa Beach is within 6 miles (10 km) and Kwelera Island Local Nature Reserve is within 9 miles (15 km).

What's nearby

  • Olivewood Private Estate & Golf Club - 10 min drive - 5.0 miles
  • Inkwenkwezi Private Game Reserve - 12 min drive - 5.9 miles
  • Cintsa Beach - 15 min drive - 6.4 miles
  • Bonza Bay Beach - 26 min drive - 14.8 miles
  • Nahoon Beach - 27 min drive - 17.1 miles

Getting around

  • East London (ELS) - 36 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪KFC - ‬25 min drive
  • ‪Wimpy - ‬22 min drive
  • ‪KFC - ‬23 min drive
  • ‪Steers - ‬22 min drive
  • ‪Heavenly Pancake House - ‬26 min drive

About this property

Areena Riverside Resort

4-star guestrooms with kitchenettes
Areena Riverside Resort offers its guests a full-service spa and an outdoor pool. There's a restaurant on site, as well as a snack bar/deli. You can enjoy a drink at the bar/lounge. WiFi is available in public spaces for a fee.

Spa services, a library, and a terrace are also featured at the business-friendly Areena Riverside Resort. Self parking is free.

Smoking is allowed in designated areas at this 4-star Great Kei hotel.

  • 26 guestrooms or units
  • Meeting rooms
  • Deli
  • Poolside lounge chairs
  • Breakfast available (surcharge)
  • Dry cleaning
  • Self-service laundry
  • Front desk (limited hours)
  • Storage area for luggage
  • Front-desk safe
  • Game room or arcade
  • Pool or billiards table
  • Library
  • Terrace
  • Garden
  • BBQ grill(s)
  • Television in lobby
  • Smoking in designated areas
  • Bar or lounge
  • Dining venue
Areena Riverside Resort offers 26 accommodations with hair dryers. Rooms open to patios. Accommodations at this 4-star hotel have kitchenettes with refrigerators, stovetops, microwaves, and cookware/dishes/utensils.

Bathrooms include showers. Plasma televisions come with satellite channels. Irons/ironing boards and change of towels can be requested. Housekeeping is provided daily.

The onsite spa has couples treatment room(s). Services include facials, body wraps, body scrubs, and body treatments.

Languages

Afrikaans, English

Similar properties

Guests can dine al fresco in the open-air dining area surrounded by lush gardens.

Inkwenkwezi Private Game Reserve

  • Pool
  • Parking included
  • Free WiFi
  • Restaurant
3.5 out of 5, Good, 26 reviews
$49 nightly
The price is $56
Jul 23 - Jul 24
Total includes taxes and fees
Inkwenkwezi Private Game Reserve

Property amenities

Family friendly

  • Arcade/game room
  • In-room kitchenette
  • In-room microwave
  • In-room refrigerator
  • Laundry facilities
  • Outdoor pool
  • Playground
  • Snack bar/deli
  • Trampoline

Internet

  • Available in some public areas: WiFi (ZAR 160 per day)
  • WiFi in public areas has a 1-device limit

Parking and transportation

  • Free self parking on site

Food and drink

  • Weekend full breakfast available 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM for a fee: ZAR 80 to 130 for adults and ZAR 80 to 130 for children
  • A bar/lounge
  • A restaurant
  • Snack bar/deli

Things to do

  • Arcade/game room
  • Archery
  • Billiards/pool table
  • Canoeing
  • Fishing
  • Full-service spa
  • Hiking/biking trails
  • Library
  • Outdoor pool
  • Playground
  • Ropes course
  • Segway rentals/tours
  • TV in common areas
  • Ziplining

Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • No elevator
  • Wheelchair accessible (may have limitations)

Room amenities

Entertainment

  • Plasma TV with satellite channels

Bedroom

  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • Hair dryer
  • Shower
  • Towels provided

Food and drink

  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Electric kettle
  • Kitchenette
  • Limited room service
  • Microwave
  • Refrigerator
  • Stovetop

More

  • Desk
  • Heating
  • Iron/ironing board on request

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 2:30 PM; Check-in end time: 5 PM
Late check-in subject to availability
Minimum check-in age: 18

Check-out

Check-out before 10:30 AM

Special check-in instructions

The front desk is open daily from 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Guests must contact the property in advance for check-in instructions; front desk staffed during limited hours
To make arrangements for check-in please contact the property at least 24 hours before arrival using the information on the booking confirmation
If you are planning to arrive after 5 PM please contact the property in advance using the information on the booking confirmation

Access methods

Front desk (limited hours)

Pets

  • Pets: ZAR 65 per pet, per night
  • Maximum 1 pets
  • Restrictions apply
  • For more information, you can reach out to the property at the number on the booking confirmation

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.
  • Rollaway/extra beds are not available.
  • Cribs (infant beds) are not available.

Property payment types

Important information

Optional extras

The fees and deposits listed below will be charged at the time of service, check-in, or check-out.

  • Fee for full breakfast: approximately ZAR 80 to 130 for adults, and ZAR 80 to 130 for children
  • Fee for wireless internet in public areas: ZAR 160 per day (1-device limit, rates may vary)
  • Pet fee: ZAR 65 per pet, per night
  • Housekeeping is available for an additional fee

This may not be a comprehensive list. Fees and deposits are subject to change and might not include tax.

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts credit cards; cash is not accepted
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios, terraces which may not be suitable for children; if you have concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm they can accommodate you in a suitable room
Charges for extra guests may apply and vary according to property policy.
A cash deposit, credit card, or debit card for incidental charges and government-issued photo identification may be required upon check-in.
Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in. Special requests can't be guaranteed and may incur additional charges.
    This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business, or profession. This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios, terraces which may not be suitable for children. If you have concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm they can accommodate you in a suitable room. This property accepts Visa and Mastercard. Cash is not accepted. For guests' safety, the property includes a fire extinguisher in each accommodation.

We should mention

  • To make arrangements to bring your pet, contact the property directly at the number on your booking confirmation (please see the Fees section for related charges).

National rating

Quality Graded by the Tourism Grading Council of South Africa (TGCSA) – South Africa's official quality assurance organization.

Property is also known as

Areena Riverside Resort Great Kei
Areena Riverside Great Kei
Areena Riverside Resort Hotel
Areena Riverside Resort Great Kei
Areena Riverside Resort Hotel Great Kei

Frequently asked questions

How close is Areena Riverside Resort to the airport?

Areena Riverside Resort is 24 mi (36-min drive) away from the East London (ELS) airport, the closest popular airport to the property.

How much does it cost to stay at Areena Riverside Resort?

As of Jul 20, 2025, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Areena Riverside Resort on Aug 4, 2025 start from $55.66, excluding taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

Does Areena Riverside Resort have an airport shuttle?

Airport shuttle services are not available at Areena Riverside Resort.

How close is Areena Riverside Resort to the beach?

This hotel is 5.4 mi (13-min drive) from Cintsa Beach and 6.7 mi (16-min drive) from Yellow Sands. Don't forget your sunscreen!

Does Areena Riverside Resort offer free breakfast?

Free breakfast isn’t offered at Areena Riverside Resort, but full breakfast is offered for a fee of between ZAR 80 and 130 for adults, ZAR 80 and 130 for children.

Is there a casino at Areena Riverside Resort?

No, there is no casino at this hotel.

What time is check-in at Areena Riverside Resort?

Check-in start time: 2:30 PM; Check-in end time: 5 PM.

Is there free parking at Areena Riverside Resort?

This hotel offers free self parking.

Does Areena Riverside Resort have a pool?

Areena Riverside Resort features an outdoor pool.

Does Areena Riverside Resort have a restaurant?

Yes, there is a restaurant on site.

Does Areena Riverside Resort have a spa?

This hotel has a spa, which features facials, massages, and body treatments.

How close is Areena Riverside Resort to downtown Great Kei?

Areena Riverside Resort is 4.7 mi away from Amatola Coastal.

Areena Riverside Resort Reviews

Reviews

8.6

Excellent

Rating 10 - Excellent. 7 out of 13 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 4 out of 13 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 13 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 13 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 1 out of 13 reviews

8.4/10

Cleanliness

8.0/10

Staff & service

7.4/10

Amenities

8.0/10

Property conditions & facilities

7.4/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

8/10 Good

Debbie

Traveled with group, Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
We checked in after hours and the guest next door were very loud. They partied until after midnight and nobody on the staff are security told them to be quiet.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2024

8/10 Good

zamikhaya

Traveled with family
Stayed 2 nights in May 2024

6/10 Okay

Stacy

Traveled with family and small children
It is such a fantastic location and has so much potential but it needs a facelift.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Douglas

Traveled with partner, Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Very special place had our sister inlaw with us, who is from one of the local hotels, she was very impressed Met Abby the graffiti what an amazing experience. Low shedding happened every couple of hours wich i thought would impact our stay, but wasn't an issue. Loved and would go back if we ever come back to East London. You wont be sorry
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Franck

Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Aloma

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2023

2/10 Terrible

Amanda

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 2 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Anton

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Was a quick night on route home to PMB, So didn’t get to do much, restaurant was good enjoy the time we did have. Would definitely consider a longer stay next time
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2019

8/10 Good

Jonathan

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Loved the surroundings but a bit disappointed with the en-suite accommodation not the fault of the resort I thought I booked into a hotel and not self-catering
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2018

8/10 Good

Neil

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2018

10/10 Excellent

Lars

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Katharina

Stayed 1 night in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Katharina

Stayed 1 night in May 2023