Blyde river canyon Lodge VS Blyde river Wilderness Lodge

<p>Myself and 5 friends booked into the following two lodges for a long weekend. We learnt that two lodges have the same owner but different management and different account. Canyon Lodge is managed by Portia and Wilderness lodge is managed by another lady Cynthia only 13km apart! We travelled in one car since Land Rover discovery is 7 seater. We first checked the couple booked at Wilderness lodge and the welcome we got was warmer than the cold weather. After that we made the short trip to Canyon lodge where we were also greated with friendly faces and drinks but things soon took a different turn when we wanted to make ourselves comfortable. We were told by the manager that we can't use the secluded Lapa area which was not being utilised to sit and have some drinks. Furthermore we were told not to make any noise and the manager made sure to tell us that they don't allow black people to come with any cooler or outside alcohol to drink at the Lapa because they will make noise and dirty up the place by throwing empty bottles. So because we are black our fellow black manageress Portia assumed we would be unruly. We then decided since Wilderness lodge is more spacious and accommodating of self catering all of us decided to leave and go seek accommodation there. Luckily Cynthia the manager at Wilderness lodge found us a space to stay but upon her communication with the sister lodge Caynon lodge we were told we can't get refund on the rooms even if the lodges have the same owner. We also later found out that Canyon lodge sent an invoice to Wilderness lodge for all the items in their mini bar fridges because they claim at the time we moved to the other lodger that we emptied out the fridges. We argued that this is ridiculous but at the end it was their word against us and we have no proof. Blyde river Canyon lodge left the worst taste in our mouth after this and its so hard to believe that the two lodges have the same owner. Wilderness lodge was so accommodating; the staff was so friendly; the facilities are actually better than Canyon lodge even though strangely Caynon lodge enjoyes a higher 4 start rating compared to Wilderness lodge. If you want actual relaxation and peace of mind in Graskop/ Hoedspruit surrounding just save yourself the snobbish headache of Blyde river Canyon Lodge; go for the cheaper and more beautiful Blyde river Wilderness lodge esp if you have kids or are a group. Breakfast and dinner available at the lodge restaurant </p>