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From R820 per night, for 2 ppl
84
5
1
5
Martin Street
Nieu Bethesda
6286
Eastern Cape
021 344 2440
14:00-19:00
10:00
-31.8652034
24.5521132
The Water Tower
The Water Tower
The Water Tower
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The Water Tower is furnished with a queen-size bed and the bathroom is fitted with a shower and a composting toilet. The kitchenette is equipped with a bar fridge, a 2-plate stove as well as tea-and-coffee-making facilities.
The world-famous Owl House is in the heart of the village and is an attraction visited by more than 15,000 visitors every year. Guests can enjoy activities such as cycling, hiking, mountain biking, game drives, bird watching, and horseback riding in the area. Nearby attractions include Camdeboo National Park and the Valley of Desolation. Or climb the Kompasberg.
The Water Tower is furnished with a queen-size bed and the bathroom is fitted with a shower and a composting toilet. The kitchenette is equipped with a bar fridge, a 2-plate stove as well as tea-and-coffee-making facilities.
The world-famous Owl House is in the heart of the village and is an attraction visited by more than 15,000 visitors every year. Guests can enjoy activities such as cycling, hiking, mountain biking, game drives, bird watching, and horseback riding in the area. Nearby attractions include Camdeboo National Park and the Valley of Desolation. Or climb the Kompasberg.
Features
Reviews (84)
84 guests' feedbackIt had been something else.
Friendly and helpful hostess. Interesting and pleasant stay with a different perspective. We had a nice stay.
A very unique experience to stay in an old water tower! Accommodation is comfortable, with everything you need, and the wooden deck is the perfect place to enjoy your morning coffee, or a glass of wine under the Karoo stars. Definitely value for money!
Very pleasant stay. The Water Tower may not be for everyone. There is a very narrow staircase to the bedroom above the kitchen, and preferably not for older people. The toilet and shower are a separate room outside, so keep that in mind especially if you want to use the facilities during the night. Very comfortable place to stay that is unique for people who like something different.
Yes, it was a unique experience that we really enjoyed!
This is a wonderful, different kind of stay for young people/students who expect little of accommodation, as it is very basic. The outside loo was unexpected, and a bit of a mission getting down the steep flight of stairs from the bedroom to go outside at night. The staircase could do with a safety railing as it was daunting negotiating the narrow space between the bed and the hole of the staircase.
Stay was pleasant. Steep staircase not for the faint-hearted. Also, rather leave your pet at home.
Not everyone will like it, but it was delicious.
Wonderful host and unique stay experience. The stairs are steep, but worth it. Lovely deck for a lovely sundowner.
The pit toilet had been an experience. The accommodation was sufficient for one night's sleep. It is conveniently located. Just found the tower a bit small/cramped. The hostess was very friendly and helpful.
Could have been better. No place to put clothes, no tables in bedroom. Mattress lying on ground. Small table in kitchen far too small to be useful. One chair's legs broken off. Knives blunt. No light on deck or at braai area, must braai in the dark. No WIFi, although it is indicated as such on the website.
It was absolutely fantastic. Friendly and helpful reception, and everything was clean and neat. Really an awesome experience, and I would recommend it to anyone travelling there. Beautiful!
We really enjoyed our stay at the Water Tower. It had everything we needed and was perfectly situated to walk around the town. It was lovely to sit on the deck and read my book as the sun went down. The bed was comfortable and the little kitchen was well-suited to our needs. The host was most helpful on our arrival and showed us all the points of interest in Nieu Bethesda, and gave us a handy booklet with a map. We will definitely be back.
Comfortable, cosy and warm despite the cold weather. An unforgettable experience, a friendly host and a magic little town to visit!
The town seems to be falling apart. The owl museum, as good as it is, needs people to tend the gardens and not just collect money and sit around doing nothing all day! Village is quaint but in need of homeowners looking after their homes.
The parking may be a problem especially if other guests are dragging something as the parking is shared with the backpackers. I would not recommend the place for older people who have difficulty walking or climbing stairs.
What a wonderful experience to spend the night in the water tower. It has everything you need. Although it was one of the coldest nights, we slept wonderfully warm with an electric blanket and there were also candles for loadshedding. Although there is only a pit toilet, it was clean and odorless. The house was also neat and clean. Definitely recommended for the hippie heart.
Yes, it was nice. Braaier's grill is a bit done.
We had a great time. The place needs some attention for sure. Starting to look a lot of cases.
The composting toilet is an acquired taste. We spent one night in the tower then our host kindly upgraded us to alternative accommodation.
Rotten: dirty dishcloths, rock hard washed towels. Pit toilet full of flies and mopeds. Would not pay R100 to stay there.
I don't think this should be on a platform. This is nothing more than the most basic accommodation - we stayed one night and left the next morning to stay in another guesthouse - I am sorry but you ask my opinion!
Everything was special and comfortable.
Very cute place, but if you have difficulty moving and are a bit round, the place is not for you. The stairs to the bedroom are steep and the hatch you have to go through is quite narrow. But the owners warned us in advance. But if you are still young or older and still very mobile, I definitely recommend it.
Beautiful accommodation, very helpful host, tranquil despite being right in the center of town. Looking forward to come back.
Real value for money and special setup.
Service and reception were of outstanding quality. Very peaceful place.
Something different from the normal and nice to experience.
Want to explore more. Not a place for everyone. It feels otherworldy. Sad in a way. People we met were most pleasant. Even cats very friendly.
For the short time we spent there it was a very pleasant experience.
The staircase leading to the upper level is a huge concern for me due to the opening not being covered with a so-called "Trapdoor" no safety signs, no handrailing and not complying with health and safety requirements.
The toilet is outside and it was a problem because it rained. Outdoor toilet smelled bad. Place should be half the price.
The bathroom is outside and the composting toilet was outside operation. We had to use the backpack toilet on the other side of the site.
Nor do they say the toilet is a pit toilet. The stairs are not safe either. That very poor and dirty. Photos do not reflect the true picture.
We had a wonderful stay in the water tower! The toilet is a compost toilet, but next to the main house there are regular flush toilets.
Lovely deck to chill on and very friendly reception.
Although the water tower is a small place, it was exceptionally well appointed with everything you could need. Although I would recommend that it would be better not to stay there in winter as the toilet is outside, there was a heater and warm blankets which kept us lovely warm. The management of the water tower kept us up to date at least weekly on what to expect and/also warned us of the style stairs to the bedroom. Both my girlfriend and I are 57 and we moved up and down the stairs with ease.
Nice for one or two people who are young at heart and not afraid of heights.
The stay makes you feel part of the strange story of the town. It is very neat and well located. Suitable for youngsters with no disabilities. Stairs will be unsafe for children or the elderly. There was hot water and a lovely shower. No flush toilet.
Not recommended for people who cannot climb narrow, steep stairs well. Wooden deck on the upper level offers the most beautiful view of the stars in the evening. Small space very smart and well furnished. Thank you for a nice sleepover.
Slightly rough but adequate for our fast travel plans.
Had all we needed, the staircase might be challenging for some people but it was a fun stay and we enjoyed the stay.
The host and wife were incredibly helpful and hospitable. The breakfast was delicious. I had a very nice stay.
Wonderful people and a unique stay. We had such a great stay in the water tower, absolutely a must for everyone!
The deck made for the most delicious outdoor visits.
The unit has a good bed and nice porch. The kitchen was adequate. It would be nice if you didn't have to walk outside to get to the toilet. It was indeed a very unique place to stay for the time we were there.
Our stay was very enjoyable and sitting on the deck and drinking a sundowner was very enjoyable. There are some things that might need a bit of maintenance like the deck. It will also make a big difference if a few simple racks and heels can be fitted on top.
See stars.
Beautiful, hidden piece of nature and tranquility. An experience not to be forgotten.
Eccentric and interesting. Would not recommend for more than 2 nights. Our 4 year old grandson really enjoyed it. It was nice! Longdrop very interesting but after 2 days the smell may become too much. Feel free to sleep for a night in something completely different!
The place was clean, good linen on the bed. Slightly narrow, steep steps to sleeping area. Lovely deck where one can look at the stars on open clear caroon nights. Mosquito machine was already on on arrival - know previous guests complained about the mosquitoes! "Bathroom" adjacent was clean - lovely hot water and no smell from toilet (modernized "lung drop") which was also a complaint of previous guests. Would really like to stay longer.
The sleeping area is upstairs and the stairs are not suitable for heavy and large people. The shower and toilet are outside in another room. It is a compost toilet. People who move around in the dark at night should rather not stay there, as it is unsafe and may fall off the stairs due to limited space.
See stars.
See stars.
I loved this little place and it was just what I wanted for my first stay in Nieu Bethesda. Not a place I would stay longer than a weekend, but it was perfect for the time we spent there. The deck was wonderful and an awesome space to have my quiet time in the morning. I wouldn't advise anyone to stay here in winter as the bathroom is attached to the place and not inside. My first time with a toilet like that, so it took some getting used to, but not a problem for me for a short time.
Sleeping here was unbearable, the heat requires you to open all doors and windows but then the mosquitoes feast on you. In future provide a fan and mosquito net otherwise, good luck trying to sleep!
The tower is probably 3 m in diameter. It is simple, but pleasant and completely sufficient for a quick visit.
The place wasn't for us, very small and no space to move in the room upstairs. The bed on the floor and the bathroom outside with long drop had a terrible smell when we arrived.
The village itself is an experience you must visit in your lifetime.
The owners were very accommodating and very service orientated. Highly recommend a meal at the Karoo Lamb.
Unique room without any frills. Very neat. Enjoyed the evening there very much and sat on the balcony in the early morning. Recommended!
It's different. Everyone probably won't like it, but we really enjoyed it. Comfortable, clean and private. We will definitely be staying in The Water Tower again.
New Bethesda is an interesting place to visit and the accommodation is just right for a night or two.
New Bethesda is my favorite town. I have also stayed in this interesting tower residence before. It is simple, but the most necessary things are already there. There is an electric blanket and a heater. If you are not bothered about luxuries and frills, this is an ideal place to sleep for one or two people.
We had a nice stay, but it is "cheap finishing" and needs a bit of attention. Even so it was a cute idea to repurpose the water tower as accommodation. If you are willing to climb up into a treehouse, and that type of adventure, it is very nice. I will come again. (We are 45 - 50 years old) I would say don't visit it if you are older than 55 and full of nonsense.
We were warned that the accommodation was basic. We did not expect primitive! There is a pit toilet that is outside the room and a shower that does not work properly. The bed is practically level with the ground and it is impossible to carry a suitcase up the stairs. There is no handrail around the hole where the stairs go down which is extremely dangerous. However, the beautiful dinner at the Post Office was excellent.
The Water Tower is accommodation with a difference! It's extremely clean and tidy and we really enjoyed it. Maybe a small microwave wouldn't be a bad idea, but overall, this place is perfect for a short stay.
It's definitely different. Very nice place for two. The eco-toilet may not be for everyone, but you can always also use the toilet of the Owlhouse backpackers which is just next door. It was clean and tidy. Stairs up to the bedroom are quite steep and some people might have a bit of trouble getting up and down there. The deck above is a lovely place to visit and relax. The location in New Bethesda is perfect, everything can be easily reached with a short walk. We will definitely stay there again.
The Water Tower offers a special experience. I will definitely stay there again!
We enjoyed it very much. It's a very interesting place with a nice view of the town. It's not for older people, the stairs are a ladder. I would recommend it to younger people (under 50).
It was cold outside, but the heater and electric blanket it was comfortable inside. Everything was clean and complete. Shower is good. Nice stay!
We had a nice stay. Instructions for the gas geyser would help!
Just a little attention to detail. Think it can be very nice in summer, very cold in winter.
See the stars below.
A fantastic countryside experience: Simple yet complete accommodation; all necessary amenities and equipment; clean, tidy and practical. Going to visit again, for longer, with friends! The people of the village we came across were always friendly, helpful and hospitable.
The Water Tower is for the younger generation or for those who are adventurous and want to do something out of the ordinary. It has the necessary equipment to make one's stay comfortable. I will definitely use the facilities again. An experience worth experiencing.
See the stars below.
The accommodation is so "tongue in cheek" - for people who see a chance for something unconventional. Everything was so nice clean and tidy, and the outside deck is ideal for stargazing. The staircase to the bedroom made for some humorous moments. This is not the type of accommodation where one would be comfortable for a week - but for a night or two it is a refreshing experience. Thank you very much!
All good for a short stay, but the inside smelled of an insect poison, or toxin, or something. No explanation for the smell was given.
Unbelievably over!
It was great fun staying in this round house. It's fantastically minimalist, but you don't need anything more. Everything is there. The layout and use of space is inspiring. We were supposed to sleep over one night, but enjoyed it so much that we stayed three nights and had such a good rest. I will definitely visit this cottage again!
The Water Tower is not luxurious at all, but that's what makes it so special. We have rarely stayed in a place that is so charming.
See the stars below.
We enjoyed the time in New Bethesda so much. On our arrival the heater was already on, and the 'house' had a warm atmosphere. The shower was a bit of a challenge to regulate the temperature though, and the toilet almost took me back to the days of school camps. But it adds to the charm of simplicity. We would definitely recommend the Water Tower and stay there again. Thanks also to LekkeSlaap who always has a place that we enjoy.
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House rules
Rates are quoted per night.50% discount for children under 12.
7th night's stay is free.
Long-term rates are negotiable.
Pets are welcome by arrangement.
The Water Tower is furnished with a queen-size bed and the bathroom is fitted with a shower and a composting toilet. The kitchenette is equipped with a bar fridge, a 2-plate stove as well as tea-and-coffee-making facilities.
The world-famous Owl House is in the heart of the village and is an attraction visited by more than 15,000 visitors every year. Guests can enjoy activities such as cycling, hiking, mountain biking, game drives, bird watching, and horseback riding in the area. Nearby attractions include Camdeboo National Park and the Valley of Desolation. Or climb the Kompasberg.