IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Please read this Important Information for Guests carefully before booking or visiting at Rusty Gate Mountain Retreat. You can also download a PDF version of this information by clicking on the IMPORTANT INFORMATION button below.
Arrival and Departure
- Check in from 15:00 on arrival date.
- Key collection at arrival is not required – your accommodation and/or venue facilities will be open for access.
- Check out by 10:00 on departure date unless otherwise confirmed in writing by Rusty Gate.
- Please close all doors and windows and leave keys in the door before departing.
Housekeeping Service
- Cleaning services (including dish washing, sweeping and waste removal) is available on request at Eagle’s Eyrie during your stay at Rusty Gate.
- Enquire with Rusty Gate for applicable rates during your stay.
- Please pre-book cleaner(s) prior to your arrival date and pay cash on the day of service.
Wildlife and Pets
- Most of the Rusty Gate property includes untouched nature with indigenous fauna and flora, and there are no fences between the farm and the Riviersonderend Nature Reserve.
- Please respect nature and the local fauna and flora during your stay.
- Various wild fauna, including (but not limited to) snakes, chacma baboons, game and predators roam freely on the property.
- Ensure doors and windows at the cottages and Eagle’s Eyrie are closed when you are out and about to prevent unwanted access into buildings.
- Stay on gravel roads, walkways and indicated hiking trails as far as possible.
- Going off the beaten track may increase the risk of encountering and surprising snakes such as Cape Cobras and Puffadders, or baboons roaming the area.
- Unfortunately NO guests’ pets allowed at Rusty Gate.
Keeping it Peaceful and Quiet
- Rusty Gate is a serene and quiet place to connect with nature and for everyone’s enjoyment.
- We request all visitors to respect other guests in this regard.
- No loud music allowed unless you have booked out the entire venue for exclusive use and subject to Rusty Gate’s Noise Disturbance Policy at the time.
- No offroad motorbikes (“scramblers”), quad bikes or generators are allowed.
TV’s and Related Entertainment
- We offer “bush TV with surround sound” which is freely available with a fire in your braai or Eagle’s Eyrie’s firepit and the sounds of nature all around you.
- There are no TV’s or related entertainment services (e.g. DSTV, Netflix) available at the Cottages or Eagle’s Eyrie.
Fire Hazards
- Veld fires are a reality at Rusty Gate due to abundant natural fauna and prevailing wind in mountainous areas – especially during the hot and dry summer months.
- Don’t leave any fires unattended and extinguish any open fires before going to bed or leaving your cottage or entertainment areas.
- Don’t flick burning cigarette butts into the veld or on lawns. Please use appropriate means to extinguish and dispose of cigarette butts.
- Please report any unknown fires, or suspected fires at or around Rusty Gate to one of our personnel immediately.
Eagle’s Eyrie Exclusivity
- Eagle’s Eyrie, including all the upper terrace facilities, is booked separately from any cottages.
- When you are staying at Rusty Gate cottages and your reservation does not include Eagle’s Eyrie and its facilities, the use of the upper terrace facilities (including entertainment areas, Chit-Chat Lounge, kitchen and splash pool) is not allowed.
Water Usage
- Borehole water is used at Rusty Gate for domestic purposes and is safe and clean for human consumption.
- South Africa is a water scarce country, please always use water sparingly.
Septic Tanks
- We use septic tanks at Rusty Gate for processing of all sewerage and grey water. These systems are sensitive to unwanted chemicals or foreign objects that can cause blockages.
- Please do not flush any foreign objects, e.g. sanitary pads and cigarette buts, down the toilets.
- We use single ply toilet paper to limit solid materials entering the septic tanks. Please limit use of toilet paper to only that which is required.
- Please do not use exotic soap, shampoo or cleaning materials. Commercially available hygienic products and cleaning materials provided is allowed for use with septic tanks.
- Costly cleaning of blockages in sewerage systems will be charged to guests if found to be as a result of foreign objects and/or solid materials.
Sleeping for Extra Guests and Children
- A sleeper couch in each cottage (two in Sunbird Cottage) can be prepared to sleep an extra adult or two children per couch.
- Please request when making reservations for us to include extra bedding and towels.
- Please provide your own sleeping cot, booster seat or high chair if required for a baby or toddler.
Communal Recreation Facilities
- The Recreation Dam and its available facilities are accessible to and for the use of all Rusty Gate guests.
- Rusty Gate can be explored by all guests on foot or mountain bike via dirt roads, tracks and hiking trails on the farm.
Cell Phone Reception and Internet Access
- Cellular voice and data reception is available at Eagle’s Eyrie and other high lying areas of the property.
- Reliability of available cellular and related data services are dependent on the prevailing service provider(s), and Rusty Gate has no control over said services or reliability thereof.
- A Wi-Fi hotspot is available for Internet access at Eagle’s Eyrie. Wi-Fi login details are provided with guests communications prior to arrival.
No Smoking Areas
- All areas inside buildings at Rusty Gate, including the cottages and the Chit-Chat Lounge, Peacock Place, Swallows’ Nest and the kitchen area at Eagle’s Eyrie, are designated no smoking areas.
- Smoking is allowed outside, and please discard cigarette butts in available ashtrays or dispensers.