BACKGROUND...

River Chalets had been established by Mr. And Mrs. Van Rooyen during 1998 when a shortage in informal and a relaxed style accommodation was identified in Mariental.

Since the chalet system differ substantially from the hotel and bed and breakfast concept – being more private and creating a relaxed, rural atmosphere – the initial proprietors set about to establish River Chalets on the fringe of the Fish River which traverses on the northern side of our premises (although to visible).

The Mariental Municipality reserved the western side of the B1 bypass exclusively for tourism related development and subsequently a four-hectare property was sold by the Municipality to the previous owners for the development of River Chalets.

Despite the fact that the piece of land had initially been a pan, it was believed not to be ideal for erecting building structures, but the property has ever since surprised everyone by keeping up well even during severe flooding in 2000 and 2006.

River Chalets have been owned and managed by the Garbers family since December 2002 and the continued successes resulted in an extension of the property when River Chalets II was established right on the other side of the River Chalet main entrance on the B 1 Main Road.