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Areena Riverside Resort

4.0 star property
Travelers find both adventure and relaxation at this riverside retreat, where days filled with spa treatments balance perfectly with evenings of casual gaming fun.

Choose dates to view prices

Areena Riverside Resort offers a peaceful escape with a garden, playground, and spa services like massages and body wraps. Guests can dine at the restaurant, explore hiking trails and fishing spots, enjoy the outdoor pool, and unwind in the arcade room for evening entertainment.

Reviews

8.6 out of 10
Excellent

Popular amenities

  • Pool
  • Spa
  • Pet friendly
  • Parking included
  • Restaurant
  • Breakfast available

Room options

Available filters for rooms
Showing 3 of 3 rooms

View all photos for Double Room

Double Room | Desk, iron/ironing board, bed sheets

Double Room

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(1 review)

Highlights

Patio
Heating
Kitchenette
Refrigerator
Plasma TV
Hair dryer
Microwave
Electric kettle
  • Lake view
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double Bed OR 2 Twin Beds

View all photos for Traditional Bungalow

Traditional Bungalow | View from room

Traditional Bungalow

Highlights

Patio
Heating
Kitchenette
Refrigerator
Plasma TV
2 bedrooms
Hair dryer
Private bathroom
  • Lake view
  • 2 bedrooms
  • Sleeps 4
  • 1 Double Bed and 4 Twin Beds

View all photos for Cottage, 2 Bedrooms

Cottage, 2 Bedrooms | Desk, iron/ironing board, bed sheets

Cottage, 2 Bedrooms

Highlights

Patio
Heating
Kitchenette
Refrigerator
Plasma TV
2 bedrooms
Hair dryer
Microwave
  • Lake view
  • 2 bedrooms
  • Sleeps 4
  • 1 Double Bed and 1 Twin Bunk Bed
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About the neighborhood

Located in Great Kei, Areena Riverside Resort is near the beach. Inkwenkwezi Private Game Reserve and Kwelera Island Local Nature Reserve reflect the area's natural beauty and area attractions include Kwelera National Botanical Garden and The Cenotaph. Take an opportunity to explore the area for outdoor excitement like hiking/biking trails. Visit our Great Kei travel guide
Map
East Coast Resorts Rd, Corner of Glen Garriff Turn-off, Great Kei, Eastern Cape, 5259

What's nearby

  • Olivewood Private Estate & Golf Club
    7 min drive - 5.0 miles
  • Yellow Sands
    7 min drive - 2.2 miles
  • Kwelera Island Local Nature Reserve
    7 min drive - 2.2 miles
  • Inkwenkwezi Private Game Reserve
    9 min drive - 5.9 miles
  • Cintsa Beach
    13 min drive - 6.4 miles

Getting around

  • East London (ELS)
    42 min drive

Restaurants

  • KFC
    25 min drive
  • Governors House
    8 min drive
  • The Clubhouse
    8 min drive
  • KFC
    23 min drive
  • Heavenly Pancake House
    27 min drive

About this property

Areena Riverside Resort

Upscale hotel
At Areena Riverside Resort, you can look forward to a terrace, a garden, and a playground. Active travelers can enjoy archery, ziplining, and canoeing at this hotel. Indulge in a body wrap, a manicure/pedicure, and a massage at the onsite spa. The on-site restaurant offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Enjoy onsite activities like hiking/biking and fishing. WiFi in public areas (surcharge) is available to all guests, along with an arcade/game room and a library.
Additional perks include:
  • An outdoor pool along with sun loungers
  • Free self parking
  • Full breakfast (surcharge), a billiards/pool table, and a TV in the lobby
  • Meeting rooms, luggage storage, and a front-desk safe
Extra amenities include:
  • Showers and hair dryers
  • Plasma TVs with satellite channels
  • Patios, kitchenettes, and refrigerators

Similar properties

Terrace/patio
Inkwenkwezi Private Game Reserve
  • Pool
  • Parking included
  • Free WiFi
  • Restaurant
7.0 out of 10, Good, 29 reviews
$52 nightly
The price is $60
Mar 12 - Mar 13
Total with taxes and fees
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Property amenities

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

Family friendly

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

Conveniences

  • Laundry facilities
  • Limited-hour front desk
  • Luggage storage
  • Safe at front desk

Guest services

  • Change of towels on request
  • Dry cleaning/laundry service
  • Housekeeping (daily)

Business services

  • Meeting rooms

Outdoors

  • Barbecue grill
  • Garden
  • Pool loungers
  • Terrace

Full-service spa

  • Body scrubs
  • Body wraps
  • Couples treatment rooms
  • Facials
  • Manicures/pedicures
  • Massage

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)

More

  • Banquet hall
  • Designated smoking areas

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • Hair dryer
  • Shower
  • Towels provided

Entertainment

  • Plasma TV with satellite channels

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
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

Access methods

Front desk (limited hours)

Pets

Pets allowed for an extra charge of ZAR 65 per pet, per night
1 total pets
Restrictions apply; for more information contact 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

  • 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

The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change.

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

We should mention

This property does not have elevators

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

Does Areena Riverside Resort have a pool?

Yes, this property has an outdoor pool.

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

As of Mar 6, 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Areena Riverside Resort on Mar 7, 2026 start from $64, including 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.

Is Areena Riverside Resort pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows pets (limit 1 total). There's a fee of ZAR 65 per pet, per night. Some restrictions may apply, so please contact the property for more details.

How much is parking?

Self parking is free at this property.

What time is check-in at Areena Riverside Resort?

Check-in start time: 2:30 PM; Check-in end time: 5 PM. Late check-in is available during limited hours.

What time is check-out at Areena Riverside Resort?

Check-out is at 10:30 AM.

Where is Areena Riverside Resort located?

Situated near the beach, this spa hotel is within 6 mi (10 km) of Olivewood Private Estate & Golf Club, Inkwenkwezi Private Game Reserve, and Cintsa Beach. Kwelera Island Local Nature Reserve and Kwelera National Botanical Garden are also within 9 mi (15 km).

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Reviews

Areena Riverside Resort Reviews

8.6

Excellent

8.2

Cleanliness

8.6

Location

8.0

Staff & service

7.8

Property conditions & facilities
Rating 10 - Excellent. 7 out of 14 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 5 out of 14 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 14 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 14 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 1 out of 14 reviews

Reviews

8/10 Good

Pregalathen

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Great place friendly staff only downside was the outdated bathroom and an exceptionally small room television.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025

6/10 Okay

Stacy

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

8/10 Good

Debbie

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

10/10 Excellent

Douglas

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

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

10/10 Excellent

Lars

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

8/10 Good

zamikhaya

Stayed 2 nights in May 2024

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

10/10 Excellent

Katharina

Stayed 1 night in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Katharina

Stayed 1 night in May 2023

2/10 Terrible

Amanda

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

8/10 Good

Neil

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