Escape to FarSide Farm: Howick's Hidden Gem!
Escape to FarSide Farm: Howick - Is This REALLY the Hidden Gem Everyone's Raving About?! (My Truth, No Sugarcoating)
Okay, so I booked myself into FarSide Farm in Howick. Everyone's BEEN going on about it - "Hidden Gem!", "Escape to Paradise!", "Magical!" Blah, blah, blah… I'm here to tell you, the reality is… well, it's complicated. I'm gonna dive deep, folks, and you're gonna get the real scoop, the good, the bad, and the downright confusing. Forget those perfectly polished travel brochures. This is my brain dump, and it's gonna get messy.
SEO & Metadata Stuff (Because I'm supposed to):
- Keywords: FarSide Farm, Howick, South Africa, Hotel Review, Spa, Wellness, Accessible Hotel, Family-Friendly, Outdoor Pool, Restaurant, Best Hotels, Adventure, Relaxing Getaway, Weekend Escape, Luxury, Review, Honest, Family Holiday
- Meta Description: My unfiltered review of FarSide Farm in Howick! Get the honest truth about accessibility, dining, spa, kid-friendliness, and all the quirky details you won't find in the glossy brochures. Is it really as good as everyone says? Find out!
Getting There & Initial Impressions (The "Ugh, Seriously?" Moments)
First off, finding the place wasn't exactly a walk in the park. GPS sent me down a "shortcut" that involved more potholes than actual road. My car's suspension is still weeping silently. ( Getting around: Car park [free of charge] - YES, thankfully! But maybe plan your route before you go.)
The initial impression? Pretty. Very green. The "farm" part is definitely real. You're surrounded by… well, farm. And I'm not exactly a "nature person." But okay. They had a doorman ( Services and conveniences: Doorman - check). Seemed friendly enough.
Accessibility - The Big Question (and that one slightly awkward moment)
Okay, so accessibility. This is important. I have to say, they try. ( Accessibility: Facilities for disabled guests - Yes, but… ) There’s an elevator ( Services and conveniences: Elevator - check!). The lobby seems mostly wheelchair-friendly. But, and this is a BIG but – the pathways outside? Gravel. Loose gravel. And some pretty steep inclines. So, good intentions, but maybe a bit more thought needed there.
Then there was this slightly awkward moment when I was asking about the accessibility to the pool. You know, just the usual "are there ramps or lifts" kind of questions. The receptionist looked confused. Like, really confused. "Well, the pool… is outside?" Yeah, thanks, Sherlock. I get the feeling they treat this whole area with a little less care and effort. Some areas clearly aren't up to standard ( Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible - Partially).
( Accessibility: CCTV in common areas, CCTV outside property - Good to know. Always feel a bit safer.)
Rooms - The Good, the Bad, and the Where's My Coffee?!
My room? Okay, alright. ( Available in all rooms: Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Interconnecting room(s) available, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Safety/security feature, Satellite/cable channels, Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens - Whew!) Lots of stuff. It was clean ( Cleanliness and safety: Rooms sanitized between stays - They claim, right?) and had a decent view (though, again, the view was mostly…nature). The bathroom was nice, with a big bathtub. ( Available in all rooms: Additional toilet - Not in my room, but… maybe ask?)
The BIG problem? The coffee situation! The "complimentary" tea and coffee makers… they didn't work. Flat batteries? Broken? I have no idea. My first morning, I was practically crawling down the halls, desperate for caffeine. This, my friends, is a crisis. The Available in all rooms: Coffee/tea maker - Check (technically), Complimentary tea - Check; Dining, drinking, and snacking: Coffee/tea in restaurant- Check!
Dining - A Rollercoaster of Expectations (and Dietary Needs)
The food…okay, so the food. ( Dining, drinking, and snacking: Restaurants - Yes. A la carte in restaurant - Yep, Buffet in restaurant - Yep, Breakfast [buffet]- You got it, including Asian breakfast and Western breakfast. Poolside bar - Oh yeah!) I tried the restaurant. Prices? Up there. Food? It varied. The salad was a masterpiece. The soup…let's just say I've had better soup from a can.
They claim to cater for everything. I’m a vegetarian so asked about Vegetarian options. The waiter looked puzzled. “Uh…we have salads?” ( Dining, drinking, and snacking: Vegetarian restaurant - Not really.) After some debate, a veggie burger arrived. It was… fine. Edible. ( Dining, drinking, and snacking: Alternative meal arrangement - They tried). The breakfast buffet? Huge! But chaotic. And the quality felt a bit… mass-produced. This is not one of the FarSide's strongest suits.
**(Side note: *Dining, drinking, and snacking*: Bottle of water- Yes. **Dining, drinking, and snacking: Desserts in restaurant - Yes… and they were my highlight!)
That Spa - A Moment of Bliss (and the Odd Murmur)
Now, THIS is where things got good. ( Things to do, ways to relax: Body scrub, Body wrap, Foot bath, Massage, Sauna, Spa, Spa/sauna, Steamroom - ALL CHECK!) The spa. Seriously. The spa was heavenly. I got a massage ( Things to do, ways to relax: Massage - Highly recommended) and almost drifted off the mortal coil. The pool area ( Things to do, ways to relax: Pool with view, Swimming pool, Swimming pool [outdoor] - check, check, check) was stunning. The view (yes, more nature) was actually quite calming. The sauna? Perfection! I think I spent an hour just staring out of the window in a serene daze.
( Cleanliness and safety: Hand sanitizer - Present and correctly placed! Professional-grade sanitizing services - I saw them working, though it was hard to see if their hygiene standards were 100%. Things to do, ways to relax: Fitness center, Gym/fitness - They have one, but I didn't. Cleanliness and safety: Anti-viral cleaning products - I hope, but how would I know?)
Things to Do - Beyond the Farm Gate (and the "Why Didn't Anyone Tell Me?" Moment)
Okay, so FarSide Farm is… well, on a farm. What else is there to do? ( Things to do, ways to relax: Check) Turns out, Howick is pretty close to some beautiful hiking trails and waterfalls. ( Getting around: Taxi service - Yes, but you might want to figure this out before you arrive.) ( Services and conveniences: Concierge - They can probably help with this. I didn't use them.) I wish I'd known before I spent an entire afternoon wondering what to do on the farm (which is pretty small, let's be honest).
The "Is It Worth It?" Question (The Honesty Hour)
So, is FarSide Farm a "hidden gem?" Honestly? It's… alright. It has potential. The spa is incredible. Some of the staff were lovely. But the accessibility issues need addressing, the food situation could be better, and there’s a little bit of a "trying too hard" vibe. It’s not perfect. It has quirks (the coffee, the gravel…).
**( *Cleanliness and safety*: Daily disinfection in common areas - Seems like they're trying here. *Services and conveniences*: Cash withdrawal - Possibly, but you should bring your own money, *Services and conveniences*: Currency exchange - Nope. *Services and conveniences*: Convenience store - Nope. **Services and conveniences: Gift/souvenir shop - Yep.)
Would I go back? Maybe. If they fixed the coffee situation and promised me a permanent spot in their spa. And if they could guarantee I don't have to look at the farm cows. Definitely not a bad place, but definitely not a magical place, either. The price seems right. **( *Services and conveniences*: Safety deposit boxes - Yes. *Dining, drinking, and snacking*: Bar - Yup. *Services and conveniences*: Front desk [24-hour] - Good. *Services and conveniences*: Luggage storage - Check! *Services and conveniences*: Laundry service, Dry cleaning, Iron
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Alright, buckle up buttercups, because we're about to dive headfirst into… FarSide Farm in Howick, South Africa. Think rolling hills, think misty mornings, think… me, attempting to wrangle a travel itinerary. Honestly, just the thought of planning makes my blood pressure spike, but here we go. Consider this more of a disorganized, slightly hysterical journal than a perfect guide. You've been warned.
FarSide Farm: A Chaotic Chronicle (and Attempted Itinerary)
Day 1: Arrival… and utter bewilderment.
- Morning (ish): Landed at the Durban airport. Oh, the sheer glory of South African air! The sun, the smells, the fact that the baggage claim actually worked… I was already in a better mood than my usual grumpy-before-coffee self. The drive to Howick? Long. Beautiful. And I spent 90% of it trying to identify every bird imaginable. (Spoiler: Failed miserably. "That's a… a bird, definitely." Expert travel blogger, right here.)
- Midday: Arrived at FarSide. It's… charming. Like, aggressively charming. The kind of charming that makes you slightly suspicious. The photos online, let me tell you, were generous with the lighting. Still, the view from the cottage? Breathtaking. I mean, seriously. I just stared at it for a solid fifteen minutes, mouth agape, forgetting all about unpacking. Then I remembered the coffee. Priorities, people. Priorities.
- Afternoon: Unpacking. Or, the art of unpacking. This is where the cracks start to show. My suitcase? A vortex of chaos. Half my clothes are crumpled, the other half are still in the dry cleaner's bag (don't ask). Found a rogue sock. No idea where it belongs. Gave up, grabbed the aforementioned coffee, and sprawled on the porch swing. Pure Bliss… until I started sweating like a pig. Durban humidity is real.
- Evening: Dinner at… well, whatever the local restaurant happens to be. Tried to embrace it, but I always feel like a visitor when I feel like a visitor… I can't help but feel a little bit off.
Day 2: Farm Life… and the Great Chicken Conspiracy.
- Morning: Woke up to the sound of… COCK-A-DOODLE-DOO! And not the cute Instagram-filtered version. This was a full-throated, ear-splitting declaration of rooster dominance. Apparently, the farm chickens are also on a rooster-naming-strike. I've been trying to communicate, but my attempts to get on their good side might have been a failure.
- Midday: Attempted a "farm tour." Emphasis on attempted. Picture this: me, armed with a camera, trying to look like a seasoned farmhand, and failing miserably. The chickens, they were NOT impressed by my presence. At least, the rooster seemed to be… actively antagonistic? The chickens were better than that.
- Afternoon: The Great Chicken Conspiracy. I swear, these chickens were planning something. I swear I saw a couple of them plotting in the sun. It was just unsettling. Maybe I'm projecting my own anxieties onto them? Regardless, I'm in my "chicken era" right now.
- Evening: Attempted a braai (BBQ). My attempt at social interaction started off on a high note, then immediately spiraled into near-disaster when I burned the sausages. The locals were incredibly gracious… but I’m pretty sure I saw one person snickering.
Here's where things get… messier. Because that's life, right?
Day 3: Doubling Down on the Chicken Chaos, and a Glimpse of Serenity
- Morning: Okay, I'm not backing down from the chicken thing. I spend a full two hours trying to understand their social structure. The head rooster? Definitely the problem. The "second in command" hen? Giving me major side-eye. I swear she's planning a coup. The whole farm smells like chicken.
- Midday: Found a spot on the river. It's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen. I forgot about my chicken paranoia, and I sat there for hours. I felt at peace… temporarily.
- Afternoon: Back to the chicken thing. The chicken situation is still… unresolved. If there is a conspiracy, it's probably best not to know.
- Evening: The chicken situation is still… unresolved. I'm getting to know the locals, and I love them. Still wish I didn't have to be so awkward.
Day 4: Farewell… and the lingering scent of chickens.
- Morning: One last misty morning. One last longing look at the farm. One more deep breath filled with the scent of… chickens. Okay, maybe I'm hallucinating. Probably.
- Midday: Heading back to the airport. Did I enjoy my stay? Absolutely. Would I recommend FarSide Farm? Yes, but bring your own sense of humor and a healthy dose of chicken-related skepticism.
- Afternoon: On the plane. Goodbye, South Africa. The whole world is going to miss you.
Postscript: The Real Truth about FarSide Farm
Look, it's not perfect. There are awkward moments and logistical snafus, but that's life. And that's what makes the memories stick. FarSide Farm? It’s about the beauty, the chaos, and the slightly unhinged love for chickens. If you can handle a bit of that, you'll have a trip you’ll never forget. And maybe, just maybe, you'll start to understand the language of the clucking community. (Or not. Honestly, I still haven't figured it out.) But either way, it'll be an experience.
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Escape to FarSide Farm: You've GOT Questions, I've (Probably) Got Answers (and Opinions!)
(Because after a weekend there, trust me, you'll have a LOT.)
1. Okay, FarSide Farm… What *IS* it, exactly? And is it worth the hype?
Alright, buckle up buttercup, because this isn't your average cookie-cutter weekend getaway. FarSide Farm, nestled in the rolling hills of Howick (gorgeous hills, by the way), is basically a… well, it's a *vibe*. Think rustic charm meets actual farm life. They've got a few gorgeous, comfy cottages (more on that later), a working farm, and… let's be honest, an opportunity to escape. To *really* escape. Is it worth the hype? Honestly, it depends on what you're looking for. If you crave sterile perfection and Wi-Fi that'll download you a nuclear code in seconds, *run*. But if you're after a break from reality, some serious fresh air, and maybe, just maybe, a reconnection with… well, *yourself*… then yeah. It's pretty damn amazing.
2. The Cottages… Luxurious? Rustic? Somewhere in between? (And please, tell me about the linen!)
The cottages… ah, the cottages. See, this is where FarSide starts to *shine*. Forget the generic hotel room. These are genuinely charming, like something out of a storybook (if storybooks had well-stocked kitchens and fireplaces that actually work!). They're a bit rustic, yes, but in the *good* way. Think exposed beams, comfy couches, and a real sense of history. And yes, *the linen*. Oh, the linen! Seriously, I could live in that bed. I genuinely considered hiding in the linen closet when I left – it was that soft, that amazing. Okay, maybe I'm being a little dramatic. But seriously, the linen is a highlight.
3. Farm Life! What can I expect? Is it all adorable fluffy animals? Because… I’m easily swayed.
Okay, this is where the reality check comes in. Yes, there are adorable fluffy animals. But it's not *all* rainbows and baby lambs (although, there *were* adorable baby lambs when I was there, and I may have spent a solid hour just staring at them). You can participate in farm chores (gathering eggs, helping with the animals), but you don’t *have* to. I am not an early riser. I did NOT gather eggs. But I *did* enjoy the fresh ones beautifully provided for my breakfast. The farm is a living, breathing thing, so expect smells of manure (it's a farm, people!), mud, and the occasional… well, let's just say life can get a little messy. So, you know, embrace it. And don't expect perfectly manicured lawns. This is nature; it's meant to be enjoyed and respected.
4. Food, glorious food! Can I get a coffee and a croissant? (Please, say I can!)
Okay, the food. This is a huge part of the experience. Forget your usual supermarket fare. FarSide is all about fresh, local, and often, *farm-to-table* (I hate that term, but it's true!). You've got a well-equipped kitchen in your cottage to cook (and the fresh eggs are a godsend). You can buy farm-fresh produce. And yes, there are some seriously good local cafes and restaurants nearby. But, and this is a big BUT: *plan*. Do your grocery shopping beforehand! I (and here comes a confession) forgot to bring coffee. The horror! The absolute horror! Luckily, my partner, bless their heart, managed to locate some instant in town; and the crisis was averted. But learn from my mistake: bring your coffee. And your snacks. Because you’ll be happy to be there, but you might get *hangry*. And hangry is never pretty.
5. What about the kids? Is this a family-friendly place?
Absolutely! FarSide Farm practically *screams* for families. It's the perfect place for kids to run wild, get their hands dirty, and learn about where their food comes from. There's plenty of space to play, animals to meet, and, let's be honest, a break from screens. (Okay, maybe not a *complete* break, my kids were still glued to their tablets at night for about 15 minutes.) It’s a chance to connect with nature, get some exercise, and create lasting memories. Be warned, they'll be begging to go back. And as for the parents? A glass of wine on the veranda while the kids run amok? Pure bliss.
6. Hiking, fishing, exploring… What's there to do besides, you know, *doing nothing*?
Okay, so *doing nothing* is definitely a valid option. And a highly recommended one, I’d add. But if you're the type who gets the itch, there's plenty to keep you occupied. Stunning hiking trails wind their way through the hills. (Be prepared for the mud after rain, trust me on this one – I wore the wrong shoes and regretted every single muddy step). Fishing is available (and the peace out on the water is something else). The area is rich in history, and there are cute little towns to explore. Honestly, you could happily spend a week just exploring the surrounding areas. Oh, and the stargazing at night? Unforgettable. We sat outside, wrapped in blankets, and just… looked up. Pure magic. It's just such a different pace compared to city life. It was glorious.
7. Let's get practical: What kind of phone/Internet connection should I expect? Did you manage to upload your Instagram stories?
Right, okay, let's be brutally honest here. The Wi-Fi isn't fantastic. It's better than I expected, but patchy. And the phone signal can be… a challenge. Think of it as a digital detox. Embrace it! Tell everyone you're unreachable and relish in the silence. It helped me hugely. I, um, struggled. I *needed* to upload my stunning pics, I *needed* to respond to emails (or so I told myself). And I did. I got a mobile signal. Which was spotty, and slow, but still. Just... plan ahead. Download your movies, bring a book. And maybe, just maybe, enjoy the freedom of being disconnected for a while. Honestly, that's one of the best parts.
8. The *One* Thing That REALLY Blew You Away? That you can't stop obsessing over?
Okay, prepare yourselves. I’m about to go full-on fan-girl. Ready? The sunset. Okay, sounds cliché, I get it. But look, on our second night, we were wandering back from a walk - and here comes the sun. Red, orange, purplePopular Hotel Find
