Luxury Oceanfront Villa: Casa Bentley, Simbithi Estate
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because we're about to dive headfirst into the glorious, messy, and potentially slightly-too-long review of Casa Bentley, the Luxury Oceanfront Villa in Simbithi Estate. This isn't your sanitized, perfectly-polished travel brochure – this is the real deal, warts and all (well, mostly). We're aiming for a chaotic symphony of opinions, observations, and maybe a few too many exclamation points. Let's get this show on the road and use some SEO along the way
Casa Bentley: Smashing Luxury Meets (Potentially) Slippery Slopes (And the Sea!)
Right, so you're thinking "Luxury Oceanfront Villa?" Sounds perfect. And Casa Bentley mostly delivers on the promise. I’m still reeling from the sheer size of the place, you guys. Seriously, I got lost…twice.
Accessibility: The Good, the… Less Good
Accessibility, Wheelchair Accessible, Facilities for Disabled Guests, Elevator, Exterior corridor: Okay, so here’s the thing. They do list “Facilities for disabled guests” which is encouraging. The whole estate generally seemed pretty swish, but the specifics… well, I didn't specifically check out every nook and cranny with accessibility in mind. My initial feeling is that the villa itself would be… challenging. Those views, though, they are something else. There's an elevator, which is HUGE (essential if you wanna get to the upper floors with ease), and that exterior corridor, which is handy. I'd recommend reaching out to the villa directly before committing if accessibility is your top priority and asking specifically about the ground floor access to the pool, the kitchen, and the master bedroom. That's my advice.
Cleanliness and Safety: Germ-Free Zone (Mostly!)
Okay, deep breaths. I’m a bit of a germaphobe, but I’m also keenly aware of the elephant in the room: the ongoing pandemic. Casa Bentley seems to take cleanliness seriously.
- Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Hand sanitizer, Hygiene certification, Individually-wrapped food options, Physical distancing of at least 1 meter, Professional-grade sanitizing services, Rooms sanitized between stays, Safe dining setup, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, Staff trained in safety protocol, Sterilizing equipment: They're doing their best. The staff were all masked up, hand sanitizer was everywhere, and I think I saw them wiping down the doorknobs. The individually wrapped food felt a little…sterile, but hey, safety first! I felt safe enough to wander the grounds, the constant reminder of their effort was comforting.
- Room sanitization opt-out available: This is key. Freedom of choice!
- Hot water linen and laundry washing: Great! Because… well, laundry.
- First aid kit, Doctor/nurse on call: Peace of mind. Because life happens (sometimes in unexpected ways)
Rooms & Amenities: Living the Dream (But Maybe Bring Your Own Pillow?)
Okay, let's get personal. My room… (and I mean my room because, again, the place is huge).
- Available in all rooms:
- Additional toilet, Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Interconnecting room(s) available, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Safety/security feature, Satellite/cable channels, Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens: Basically, it had everything. The blackout curtains were a godsend after a long day of… well, relaxing. The coffee maker was essential. The sofa practically begged me to flop on it with a book. But you know what? The pillow. Oh my god, the pillow. I might be being dramatic (probably am), but it was a brick. Like, a really fluffy, not-soft brick. Seriously, bring your own pillow. Just trust me on this. Everything was well maintained, but the pillow felt like it saw the inside of the laundry room, and then some.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Food Glorious Food (Mostly)
Okay, the food. This is where things get interesting.
- Restaurants, A la carte in restaurant, Alternative meal arrangement, Asian breakfast, Asian cuisine in restaurant, Bar, Bottle of water, Breakfast [buffet], Breakfast service, Buffet in restaurant, Coffee/tea in restaurant, Coffee shop, Desserts in restaurant, Happy hour, International cuisine in restaurant, Poolside bar, Room service [24-hour], Salad in restaurant, Snack bar, Soup in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant, Western breakfast, Western cuisine in restaurant: The sheer variety is mind-boggling. The buffet breakfast was… decent. A lot of options, but nothing that blew my socks off. Though, they did have a fresh juice bar, and watching the staff keep it squeaky clean was reassuring. The poolside bar? Perfection. Cocktails in the sun? Yes, please. Happy hour was a bonus, and their was a lovely salad that hit the spot.
- Breakfast in room, Breakfast takeaway service: The breakfast takeaway service is a genius idea!
Things to Do & Ways to Relax: Spa Day Anyone? (YES!)
- Body scrub, Body wrap, Fitness center, Foot bath, Gym/fitness, Massage, Pool with view, Sauna, Spa, Spa/sauna, Steamroom, Swimming pool, Swimming pool [outdoor]: Where do I even begin?! The pool with a view? Stunning. The spa? Amazing. I had a massage that was so good, I almost fell asleep mid-massage (which, let's be honest, is the highest praise). The sauna was perfect for sweating out all my toxins (and possibly last night's cocktails). The steamroom was… well, steamy.
- Fitness center, Gym/fitness: And for those of you who have more willpower than me, there's a gym. I peeked in. Looked very modern.
Services and Conveniences: They've Thought of Everything (Almost)
- Air conditioning in public area, Audio-visual equipment for special events, Business facilities, Cash withdrawal, Concierge, Contactless check-in/out, Convenience store, Currency exchange, Daily housekeeping, Doorman, Dry cleaning, Elevator, Essential condiments, Facilities for disabled guests, Food delivery, Gift/souvenir shop, Indoor venue for special events, Invoice provided, Ironing service, Laundry service, Luggage storage, Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings, Meeting stationery, On-site event hosting, Outdoor venue for special events, Projector/LED display, Safety deposit boxes, Seminars, Shrine, Smoking area, Terrace, Wi-Fi for special events, Xerox/fax in business center: They really do try to make things easy. The concierge was super helpful, suggesting restaurants and booking excursions. I found the convenience store very convenient indeed. The laundry service saved my life after I spilled red wine on my favorite shirt. The terrace… well, that's where I spent most of my time.
- Cashless payment service: This is good, handy.
- Gift/souvenir shop: A lovely place to find the perfect reminder of your trip!
For the Kids: Family-Friendly Fun? (Maybe)
- Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, Kids meal: While I didn't travel with kids, I did notice they had kids' facilities and meals options. And the babysitting service may be a godsend. So, generally, yes.
Internet: Connected (And Sometimes Slightly Frustrated)
- Internet access, Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!, Internet, Internet [LAN], Internet services, Wi-Fi in public areas, Wi-Fi for special events: The free Wi-Fi was, well, free. And mostly reliable (a minor miracle in some places), though I did have a moment of slight frustration trying to upload my epic sunset photos.
Safety and Security: Feeling Protected
- Access, CCTV in common areas, CCTV outside property, Check-in/out [express], Check-in/out [private], Couple's room, Exterior corridor, Fire extinguisher, Front desk [24-hour], Hotel chain, Non-smoking rooms, Safety/security feature, Security [24-hour], Smoke alarms, Soundproof rooms: The place felt super secure. CCTV everywhere. Security at the gates. 24-hour front desk. It was reassuring.
Getting Around: Easy Peasy (Mostly)
- Airport transfer, Bicycle parking, Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Car power charging station, Taxi service, Valet parking: Getting around was simple
Alright, buckle up buttercups. You’re getting the REAL deal. Forget those pristine itineraries, this is Casa Bentley, Simbithi, Ballito – unfiltered. Buckle up.
Casa Bentley: My Head's Stuck in Vacation Mode (And I'm Loving It)
Day 1: Arrival & Existential Dread in the Jacuzzi
14:00 - Arrival! Holy guacamole, the view from the driveway. Instagram gold, I tell you. But first, the unpacking. Disaster. My suitcase exploded, and my favourite kaftan is tangled with my emergency stash of chocolate. Minor crisis averted (chocolate survived).
15:00 - Casa Reconnaissance & Procrastination: Okay, bedrooms: check. Kitchen: pristine. I almost cried. The fridge? Stocked! With booze! God bless the person who pre-stocked. (I might send them a thank-you note… after I've finished this gin & tonic). The pool? Sparkling. The Jacuzzi? Ominously inviting.
16:00 - Jacuzzi Therapy (and Existential Crisis): Okay, this is where things get real. Bubbles, sunshine, and the vast expanse of the Indian Ocean. I'm officially on vacation. But the bubbles are mocking me. Is this… happiness? What even is happiness? Does a good tan make up for the looming existential dread that usually sits by my side? I have no answers. More bubbles.
18:00 - Sundowners & The Great Braai Debate: Time for the promised sundowners. Gin. Lots of gin. My partner, bless them, is already arguing with the braai (BBQ). Apparently, charcoal is a fickle mistress. Me? I'm in charge of the music. Prepare for a sonic assault of 80s power ballads followed by a questionable attempt at a South African playlist.
19:00 - Braai Debacle (with a side of charred sausages): The braai is…well, it's a disaster. Charcoal fights back. Sausages are black on the outside, and raw on the inside. My partner is sweating. I’m laughing. We salvage a few, and drink more gin. It's a mood.
20:00 - Stargazing & Regrets: We try stargazing as the braai smoke clears. The sky is magnificent. I gaze at the stars and wonder if I'm making all the right decisions in life. Regrets? None, as long as I have my chocolate.
Day 2: Beach Bliss & a Serious Case of Sunburn
08:00 - Sleep Deprivation: Woke up with the sun and a crushing realization that my alarm should have been set. Now I've lost an hour of time, and now I'm going to feel the effects later.
09:00 - Breakfast of Champions (or at least, of slightly hungover people): Coffee, toast, and a philosophical debate about the merits of bacon versus… everything else. Bacon wins. Always.
10:00 - Beach-Bound! Okay, packing the car. Sunscreen? Check. Towels? Check. Beach bag? Check. The only thing missing is the memory of where the beach is. I forgot my sunglasses. I never learn.
10:30 - Umdloti Beach - Sand, Sea, and the Brutal Sun: The beach? Amazing. The turquoise of the water? Unreal. I promptly forgot what UV rays were. I'm currently sporting a tan that's less "bronzed goddess" and more "boiled lobster".
13:00 - Beach-side lunch at The Beach Bar and Grill: Fish and chips. Delicious. Regret setting in about the sun.
14:00 - Beach Debrief & Nap Time: The sand is now everywhere. I mean, everywhere. I can't feel my toes. A nap is essential. Hopefully, I won't dream of sunburnt lobsters.
16:00 - House Cleaning & Wine: Back at the house after a few more hours of sun. I take a nice shower and start to make some food. Then open a bottle of wine, and relax.
18:00 - Sunset Cocktails: The sun's gorgeous again. Another gin & tonic. Probably should stop drinking gin and just go to bed now. I don't, of course.
Day 3: The Great Dolphin Hunt (and a Failed Attempt at Being a Tourist)
07:00 - The Dolphin Delusion: I woke up early and wanted to see dolphins. We packed lunch and headed to the beach again. Now, despite the brochures promising "dolphin sightings galore," I'm convinced dolphins are a myth. We saw some water, the ocean, some waves. No dolphins.
09:00 - Pancake Breakfast & Vague Plans: Pancakes. So many pancakes. Now I'm considering a new plan.
10:00 - Ballito Shopping (or, The Art of Window Browsing): We went to the Ballito shopping center to see the shops. I didn't need anything, but I looked at the shops anyway. I did buy some sunglasses, but it was useless because I lost them one hour later.
12:00 - Lunch at The Market at Lifestyle. Amazing, really good. I love the pizza.
14:00 - Time for a hike We went to the small trail in Simbithi and took some pictures. Then we went back to the house.
18:00 - Pizza and Wine. Pizza. Wine. No regrets.
Day 4: The "I'm Gonna Do Something Productive" Day (Spoiler: I didn't)
08:00 - "Productive Day" Proclamation: Right. Today, I'm going to be productive. I'll go for a walk! Read a book! Maybe even clean a cupboard? The sun, the sound of the waves and the bottle of rosé left in the chiller.
09:00 - The Walk That Never Happened: I got dressed. I put on sunscreen. I looked at the sea. I sat down and drank more rosé. Productivity thwarted.
10:00 - Book in the Jacuzzi: The reading part went better. It's the perfect spot to read a book.
14:00 - Nap Time I fell asleep again.
18:00 - Sunset again, and the realization that this is perfect.
Day 5: Departure & the Sadness of Leaving Paradise
08:00 - Packing & The Bitter Goodbye: The dreaded packing. The kaftan. The chocolate. The tan lines. This is the end.
10:00 - Last Breakfast & Tears: I might actually shed a tear as I eat the last piece of bacon.
11:00 - Final Jacuzzi Dip & Acceptance: One last dip in the Jacuzzi. The bubbles are no longer mocking me. They're offering comfort. This was perfect.
12:00 - Leaving I'm going to miss it.
Important Notes:
- Mood: This itinerary is subject to sudden changes based on mood, sun exposure, and gin levels.
- Food: Eating is a priority. There may be more braai debacles.
- Entertainment: Expect lots of beach time, poolside time, and questionable playlists.
- Sunscreen is your friend. Seriously.
- Embrace the imperfections. They make the memories.
So, there you have it. Casa Bentley, raw and real. Now, who’s up for another drink?
Escape to Paradise: Teivah Yeshua Retreat Center in Cebu
Okay, spill the tea. Is Casa Bentley *really* as good as it looks online?
Alright, buckle up. My expectations were sky-high. I mean, *oceanfront villa in Simbithi Estate*? My inner Princess Diaries fangirl nearly fainted. And… yes. Mostly, yes. The photos don't quite capture the *smell* of the ocean. The air just hits different, you know? It's a salty, slightly fishy (in a good way!) perfume.
There's a BUT. One small hiccup. My first day? The infinity pool. Gorgeous, right? Wrong. Or, well, partially wrong. I dove in headfirst, expecting pure bliss. And then… my sunglasses. They were *gone*. Sunk like a lead balloon. Turns out, the pool's deeper than it looks! Spent a good half hour squinting and fumbling around, feeling like a total idiot. Finally, after a heroic underwater quest, found them. Slightly scratched thanks to my antics. So, lesson learned: Assess the depth *before* swan-diving.
What’s the deal with the location in Simbithi? Is it truly "private and secure?"
Private? Oh, baby, you're locked away in a little slice of paradise. Think gated community, security guards doing their rounds, the whole shebang. We felt ridiculously safe. Like, so safe, I actually relaxed. Which is a big deal for this worrier. Walking back from the beach one night? Total serenity. It’s that "out of the chaos, into the zen" kinda vibe.
Now, the "secure" part? Well… our first night. There was a… *noise*. Like, rustling in the bushes next to the patio. My imagination went WILD. Giant snake? Stupidly-brave baboon? Ninja-squirrel on a mission to steal my snacks? My partner, bless his heart, got up to investigate. Turns out? A very determined dog, sniffing after discarded braai leftovers. The *relief*! But yeah, the estate itself feels secure, that's for sure.
How's the beach access? Easy peasy or a trek?
Okay, the beach. This is where Casa Bentley truly shines. It's not *right* on the beach itself. You have to take a quick stroll (a *lovely* stroll, mind you) down a path. Think lush greenery, maybe a sneaky glimpse of a monkey or two. Five minutes tops, tops.
The beach itself? Pure gold. Literally. The sand is soft, the waves are gentle. Now, here's a confession. One morning, I was feeling particularly lazy. Didn't want to walk. So I *drove* the golf cart down to the beach access. (Don't judge me!). It's that kind of place. Where you can be so ridiculously spoiled you consider using a golf cart for a short walk and feel absolutely no shame. And honestly? It was glorious and a bit of a giggle.
Let's talk amenities. Is the kitchen fully equipped? Because, I NEED coffee.
Coffee? Girlfriend, you're in luck. The kitchen? It's a chef's dream, a foodie's paradise. Seriously. Every possible gadget and gizmo you could dream of. We even used the juicer. *We*! I don't even own a juicer at home! The coffee machine? Top-of-the-line, I swear. I made *amazing* coffee every single morning. That alone almost justifies the price of the villa.
Okay, confession time, again. We were so excited about the kitchen, we went a little overboard at the grocery store. Enough food to feed a small army. And then, we barely cooked! There was too much relaxing to do. Too much pool time. Too many sneaky naps. Ended up chucking out a mountain of veggies and feeling guilty. So: Keep the grocery shop somewhat restrained! Unless you *really* plan on cooking. Which you probably won't. Because, vacation.
What about the staff? Were they helpful? Annoying? Invisible?
The staff. A delightful bunch, honestly. Subtlety is their superpower. They seemed to appear just when you needed something (like, a fresh towel after a particularly vigorous splash in the pool), and then vanish back into the woodwork. Pure magic. The house was always spotless. The laundry was done before I even *thought* about it.
Now, here's my one tiny, slightly-embarrassing moment. My clumsy self managed to spill red wine on the pristine white couch. MASSIVE PANIC. I blubbered to the housekeeper, expecting a lecture. Instead? She just smiled, said something soothing in Zulu, and whisked it away like it was nothing. Came back spotless. Seriously, I needed a medal, because that was a tight spot, and total staff win!
Is the villa family-friendly? We have kids. Lots of them.
Kids. Okay. This is a tough one. Yes, technically, it *is* family-friendly. There's a pool (obvious kid magnet), space to run around, and… well, the beach, of course. But…
Let's be real. This villa is designed for *luxury*. Quiet. Relaxation. Contemplating the ocean's vastness with a glass of wine. If your kids are the "scream bloody murder at 6am and run amok with a Nerf gun" type, you'll probably be stressed. And the other villa guests will be seriously annoyed. My advice? If your kids are relatively well-behaved, absolutely. If they're tiny tornadoes of chaos? Maybe consider a more… rustic option.
What's the one thing you'd change about Casa Bentley?
Okay, here comes the nitpicky bit. And it's really, *really* minor. But if I had a magic wand? I'd change… the lighting in the master bathroom. It was a bit… dim. You know, for applying makeup. I spent a lot of time squinting. And you know what happens when you're not happy with your makeup? You spend more time staring at the mirror. And then you get even more stressed out.
See? Told you it was nitpicky. Everything else? Utterly perfect. So, yeah. Brighter lights in the bathroom. That's it. Oh! And maybe a slightly bigger wine fridge? Just speaking from personal experience, you understand.
