Bougain Villa Guesthouse

The owners were so welcoming and friendly

Since there was no tv in the room I think having wifi would help a lot in order to get entertainment.

The location

Almost everything!!! We didn't get the rooms as described on Booking.com.. We were overcharged by the very rude owner, who lay on the settee all day and night sleeping. There were no keys to the bedrooms or front and back door, so no security. Alot of maintenance is required

Cute little place in a quaint little town. The host was very kind and helpful.

Not for non-smokers.

There appear to be many generically nice places to stay along the main road through Prince Albert, but I doubt any of them become the 'experience' that staying at Bougain Villa Guesthouse can be. This is because, while hostess Esme Classens is a charming, genteel, and gracious woman, her husband John is a rough-and-tumble 'character' with a capital C. Right out of the pages of an adventure novel. He is equally at home discussing the philosophy of Sadhguru or the best combo of caliber and bullet weight for various big game trophy hunts. A former farmer from the Mafikeng area, and former big game hunting guide who took famed heart surgeon Christiaan Barnard hunting three times in their respective youths, and with an impressive trophy room himself, John is a larger-than-life fellow with the magazine and newspaper articles featuring him on the wall to prove it. Extremely knowledgeable about the natural history of the region, he also acts as a tour guide to Die Hel (Gamkaskloof) and other spots of interest and natural beauty in the Swartberg Mtns area of the Groot Karoo, using his "John Donkey" emblazoned 4WD (another story entirely). Plus, he knows everybody in town; and those he doesn't, well, they know him! My spacious, airy, and well-lit room with a separate enormous bath/shower room (wonderfully luxurious towels too!) was just off the enclosed driveway behind the security perimeter gate that gives onto the expansive interior gardens. Quiet and tranquil. The accomodation itself is graced with espaliered eponymous bougainvillea vines.

Almost all the shops and restaurants are within walking distance, an exception being the Spar at the north end. While in Prince Albert, be sure to take in lunch Cafe O restaurant at the O for Olive Farm about 5 minutes north of town. There are probably others elsewhere, but the O for Olive Farm is the only place I've found that makes olive marmalade - absolutely delicious!

Only 1 bathroom for all to use

Location close enough to Beacon Isle beach and other beaches. Easy to find. Easy self check-in and out.

Nothing.

Conveniently situated in the heart of the high street