The Journal

Getaway guides for couples, and honest numbers for owners.

Open-plan lounge with an orange sofa and a pale green kitchen island

How to Choose a Truly Romantic Getaway on the Garden Route

What makes a Garden Route getaway truly romantic: privacy, a private hot tub, and an experience designed for two. Here's what to look for, and where to find it.

For couples · 3 min readRead the guide

Four-poster bed and daybed in the themed bedroom

For owners

What Does a Luxury Couples' Suite Earn on the Garden Route? Our Real Numbers

Our flagship couples' suite books 24 to 28 nights a month at R5,500 to R6,500 a night. Here are the real numbers, and what a partner suite could earn.

3 min readRead

For owners

Turn Your Cottage or Outbuilding into a Luxury Suite: Costs, Approvals and Returns

Turning a cottage, barn or outbuilding into a luxury short-term rental in South Africa? What it costs, the approvals you need, and what it can earn.

2 min readRead

Sunset over the lake and the timber pier

For couples

A Couples' Weekend in Wilderness: Where to Walk, Eat and Unwind

A relaxed two-day plan for couples in Wilderness: the Map of Africa viewpoint, forest trails, a Saturday market, the beach and evenings by the fire.

2 min readRead

Four-poster bed against jungle wallpaper

For couples

Planning a Honeymoon on the Garden Route: A Simple Guide for Couples

Planning a Garden Route honeymoon? How long to stay, when to go, where to base yourselves, and why a private suite beats a big hotel.

2 min readRead

Kitchen island with pendant lights and the lounge beyond

For both

From Empty Shell to Booked Out: How Naughty by Nature Was Created

Naughty by Nature began as an empty shell with a roof and aluminium doors. Here's how it became a couples' suite booked into August 2027, and what we learned.

2 min readRead

Red roses, candles and champagne set on the lake deck

For couples

Anniversary Getaway Ideas in the Western Cape (That Aren't Just Dinner)

Anniversary ideas for couples in the Western Cape: a private escape, a ritual you repeat every year, and simple ways to make it feel like the first time.

2 min readRead

Lounge with orange sofas and fresh flowers

For owners

Short-Term Rental vs Long-Term Rental in South Africa: Which Earns More?

Short-term rentals can earn far more than long-term lets, but only with the right product, location and marketing. An honest comparison for SA owners.

2 min readRead

Lakeside picnic set with wine, a platter and flowers

For owners

Why Couples Pay More for an Experience Than for Space (and What It Means for Your Lodge)

Couples don't pay for square metres; they pay for how a stay feels. How one experience-led suite can lift a lodge's revenue without adding rooms.

2 min readRead