Travelers find both adventure and relaxation at this riverside retreat, where days filled with spa treatments balance perfectly with evenings of casual gaming fun.
Areena Riverside Resort offers a peaceful escape with a garden, playground, and spa services like massages and body wraps. Guests can dine at the restaurant, explore hiking trails and fishing spots, enjoy the outdoor pool, and unwind in the arcade room for evening entertainment.
Located in Great Kei, Areena Riverside Resort is near the beach. Inkwenkwezi Private Game Reserve and Kwelera Island Local Nature Reserve reflect the area's natural beauty and area attractions include Kwelera National Botanical Garden and The Cenotaph. Take the opportunity to explore the area for outdoor excitement like hiking/biking trails. Visit our Great Kei travel guide
East Coast Resorts Rd, Corner of Glen Garriff Turn-off, Great Kei, Eastern Cape, 5259
What's nearby
Olivewood Private Estate & Golf Club
7 min drive - 8.1 km
Yellow Sands
7 min drive - 3.5 km
Kwelera Island Local Nature Reserve
7 min drive - 3.5 km
Inkwenkwezi Private Game Reserve
9 min drive - 9.5 km
Cintsa Beach
13 min drive - 10.2 km
Getting around
East London (ELS)
42 min drive
Restaurants
KFC
25 min drive
Governors House
8 min drive
The Clubhouse
8 min drive
KFC
23 min drive
Heavenly Pancake House
27 min drive
About this property
Areena Riverside Resort
Upscale hotel
At Areena Riverside Resort, you can look forward to a terrace, a garden and a playground. Active travellers can enjoy archery, ziplining and canoeing at this hotel. Indulge in a body wrap, a manicure/pedicure and a massage at the on-site spa. The on-site restaurant offers breakfast, lunch and dinner. Enjoy on-site activities, such as hiking/biking and fishing. WiFi in public areas (surcharge) is available to all guests, along with an arcade/games room and a library.
Additional perks include:
An outdoor pool, along with sunloungers
Free self-parking
Full breakfast (surcharge), a billiards/pool table and a TV in reception
Meeting rooms, luggage storage and a front desk safe
Available in some public areas: WiFi (ZAR 160 per day)
WiFi in public areas has a 1-device limit
Parking and transport
Free self parking on site
Limited on-site self parking
Food and drink
Weekend full breakfast available 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM for a fee: ZAR 80 to 130 for adults and ZAR 80 to 130 for children
A bar/lounge
A restaurant
Snack bar/deli
Things to do
Arcade/game room
Archery
Billiards/pool table
Canoeing
Fishing
Full-service spa
Hiking/biking trails
Library
Outdoor pool
Playground
Ropes course
Segway rentals/tours
TV in common areas
Ziplining
Family friendly
Arcade/game room
In-room kitchenette
In-room microwave
In-room refrigerator
Laundry facilities
Outdoor pool
Playground
Snack bar/deli
Trampoline
Conveniences
Laundry facilities
Limited-hour front desk
Luggage storage
Safe at front desk
Guest services
Change of towels on request
Dry cleaning/laundry service
Housekeeping (daily)
Business services
Meeting rooms
Outdoors
Barbecue grill
Garden
Pool loungers
Terrace
Full-service spa
Body scrubs
Body wraps
Couples treatment rooms
Facials
Manicures/pedicures
Massage
Accessibility
If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
No lift
Wheelchair accessible (may have limitations)
More
Banquet hall
Designated smoking areas
Room amenities
Bedroom
Bedsheets provided
Bathroom
Hair dryer
Shower
Towels provided
Entertainment
Plasma TV with satellite channels
Food and drink
Cookware, dishware, and utensils
Electric kettle
Hob
Kitchenette
Limited room service
Microwave
Refrigerator
More
Desk
Heating
Iron/ironing board on request
Policies
Check-in
Check-in start time: 2:30 PM; check-in end time: 5 PM
Late check-in subject to availability
Minimum check-in age - 18
Check-out
Check-out before 10:30 AM
Special check-in instructions
The front desk is open daily from 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Guests must contact the property in advance for check-in instructions; front desk staffed during limited hours
To make arrangements for check-in please contact the property at least 24 hours before arrival using the information on the booking confirmation
If you are planning to arrive after 5 PM please contact the property in advance using the information on the booking confirmation
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools
Access methods
Front desk (limited hours)
Pets
Pets are allowed for an extra charge of ZAR 65 per pet, per night
1 total pets
Restrictions apply; for more information contact the property on the number on the booking confirmation
Children and extra beds
Children are welcome
Rollaway/extra beds are not available.
Cots (infant beds) are not available
Payment types at the property
Important information
Optional extras
Fee for full breakfast: approximately ZAR 80 to 130 for adults and ZAR 80 to 130 for children
Fee for wireless Internet in public areas: ZAR 160 per day (1-device limit, rates may vary)
Pet fee: ZAR 65 per pet, per night
Cleaning/housekeeping/linen are available for an additional fee
The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change.
You need to know
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts credit cards; cash is not accepted
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios and terraces, which may not be suitable for children; if you have any concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm that they can accommodate you in a suitable room
We should mention
This property does not have any lifts
National rating
Quality graded by the Tourism Grading Council of South Africa (TGCSA) – South Africa's official quality assurance organisation.
Property is also known as
Areena Riverside Resort Great Kei
Areena Riverside Great Kei
Areena Riverside Resort Hotel
Areena Riverside Resort Great Kei
Areena Riverside Resort Hotel Great Kei
Frequently asked questions
Does Areena Riverside Resort have a pool?
Yes, this property has an outdoor pool.
How much does it cost to stay at Areena Riverside Resort?
As of 23 Mar 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Areena Riverside Resort on 24 Mar 2026 start from RM215, excluding taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.
Is Areena Riverside Resort pet-friendly?
Yes, this property allows pets (limit 1 total). There's a fee of ZAR 65 per pet, per night. Some restrictions may apply, so please contact the property for more details.
How much is parking at Areena Riverside Resort?
Self-parking is free at this property.
What time is check-in at Areena Riverside Resort?
Check-in start time: 2:30 PM; check-in end time: 5 PM. Late check-in is available during limited hours.
What time is check-out at Areena Riverside Resort?
Checkout is at 10:30 AM.
Where is Areena Riverside Resort located?
Situated near the beach, this spa hotel is within 6 miles (10 km) of Olivewood Private Estate & Golf Club, Inkwenkwezi Private Game Reserve and Cintsa Beach. Kwelera Island Local Nature Reserve and Kwelera National Botanical Garden are also within 9 miles (15 km).
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Reviews
Areena Riverside Resort Reviews
8.6
Excellent
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travellers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.More informationOpens in a new window
8.2
Cleanliness
8.6
Location
8.0
Staff & service
7.8
Property conditions & facilities
Rating 10 - Excellent. 7 out of 14 reviews
10 - Excellent
7
Rating 8 - Good. 5 out of 14 reviews
8 - Good
5
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 14 reviews
6 - Okay
1
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 14 reviews
4 - Poor
0
Rating 2 - Terrible. 1 out of 14 reviews
2 - Terrible
1
Reviews
Verified
8/10 Good
Pregalathen
18 Oct 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Great place friendly staff only downside was the outdated bathroom and an exceptionally small room television.
Pregalathen
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025
Verified
6/10 Okay
Stacy
25 Apr 2024
It is such a fantastic location and has so much potential but it needs a facelift.
We checked in after hours and the guest next door were very loud. They partied until after midnight and nobody on the staff are security told them to be quiet.
Very special place had our sister inlaw with us, who is from one of the local hotels, she was very impressed
Met Abby the graffiti what an amazing experience. Low shedding happened every couple of hours wich i thought would impact our stay, but wasn't an issue. Loved and would go back if we ever come back to East London. You wont be sorry
Was a quick night on route home to PMB, So didn’t get to do much, restaurant was good enjoy the time we did have. Would definitely consider a longer stay next time
Loved the surroundings but a bit disappointed with the en-suite accommodation not the fault of the resort I thought I booked into a hotel and not self-catering