Summerwood

Home from home in the heart of the Cape Winelands

This is a gem set in the leafy University district of Stellenbosch. This is one of the premier universities in South Africa and ensures that the town is lively with an excellent atmosphere in the evenings. Summerwood was built in 1904 and has 8 larger than average and beautifully appointed suites. The gardens are a welcome retreat during the hot summer days with a great pool to lounge around. Unusually, the owners prefer not to have coffee and tea making facilities in the rooms but will provide complimentary refreshments when required. Each room does have a minibar as well as full air conditioning.

About the Location

The centre of Cape Town is a 35 minute drive away, so rather than stay in the centre of the city, why not relax at Summerwood and use this as your base from which to see Cape Town & Table Mountain, the Cape Peninsula (45 minutes’ drive) and the winelands. Stellenbosch is often regarded as the centre of the winelands and it is easy to drive across the mountains to Franschhoek (20 minutes’ drive), Paarl (15 minutes’ drive and even Tulbagh (1 hour drive). There are numerous excellent wineries close by and you are spoilt for choice of restaurants to visit. We make this easy for you by suggesting some favourite wineries and restaurants.


The Overlook, Keimoes, Northern Cape

The Overlook is a wonderfully unique location and accommodation – definitely one of our favourites!

The Overlook is a small property with just three well appointed thatched, hut-style rooms. These are cool in the summer and have well equipped kitchenettes and bathrooms with excellent showers. We particularly enjoyed the little touches that provide a very African feel. The infinity pool is in a good position overlooking the vineyards and you can arrange a gourmet dinner to be served on the deck. The Overlook even has its own resident meerkats! The American / South African owners are attentive and will ensure a comfortable stay.

About The Overlook’s Location

Conveniently situated in the Orange Riverside village of Keimoes, The Overlook provides a convenient stopover between Upington and Springbok. It is only 50 kms from Upington but from your accommodation you will get beautiful views over the Winelands that skirt either side of the impressive Orange River. From here you can easily drive to the Augrabies Falls and up to the Kgalagardi Transfrontier Park. There is plenty to see and do in this area and we suggest spending at least three days exploring. Mid summer can be exceptionally hot so we suggest Spring, Autumn and late Winter. A stay here can be combined with Naries and the Kgalagardi Transfrontier Park.


Rooipan Guest House

Rooipan Guest Farm, Nr Upington, Northern Cape

Rooipan is a convenient location with warm, Afrikaans hospitality

Rooipan is set halfway between Upington and the Kgalagardi Transfrontier Park. This is truly an oasis in a very dry landscape. Here you will receive typical Afrikaans hospitality in accommodation that is crisply decorated, immaculately clean and cool in the searing midday sun. There are two suites that can also be used as self catering as they have a small kitchenette. The main bedroom is separate and has an en suite bathroom. The lounge area has a couch that can be used for young children. There is a small pool with an adjacent gazebo where dinner can be served. This is a large sheep farm and so the home cooked lamb is a must.

About Rooipan’s Location

The owners arrange a sundowner experience on the farm where you may see some of the rather special and occasionally weird nocturnal animals that inhabit this region. This is truly a unique experience.


Willowbrook Country House, Somerset West

Convenient location with great accommodation and cuisine

Willowbrook Lodge is a luxurious, small establishment with just 15 beautifully appointed rooms and suites. The restaurant is renowned locally and after a busy day sightseeing there is nothing better than relaxing by the pool with a glass of wine in hand.

About the Location

The lodge is situated on the edge of historic Somerset West with views stretching up to the impressive mountains that from this part of the Cape. There is an excellent ‘Blue Flag’ beach at nearby Strand on the False Bay coast and if you are seeking the shops there is a good mall a short drive away. Cape Town is a 35-minute drive along a motorway that will take you right into the city centre. While there are a number of good wineries close by, the university town of Stellenbosch that is surrounded by some of the finest wineries in South Africa is just a 15-minute drive. Willowbrook is one of the closest properties to Cape Town International Airport that we offer and so can represent a very convenient place to start your holiday or to wind down at the end.


Rozendal Guest Farm, Stellenbosch, Cape Winelands

Rozendal Guest Farm is a well priced alternative set among the vines for families!

Rozendal Guest Farm is a well-kept secret in Stellenbosch, nestling beneath the Jonkershoek mountains. A key feature is the cottage style breakfasts complete with organic produce from the farm. The accommodation is set a little apart from the main house, across a farmyard, which reminds you that this is also a working (vinager) farm. The 16 bedrooms are contained in cottages, which are situated like a small village street. The decor is simple rather than luxurious but all the rooms are a good size with well-appointed bathrooms. Each bedroom has a stoep with a mountain or vineyard view. This is a quiet location but a good one for children who are encouraged to look at the farm.

Aboutd Rozendal’s Location

Stellenbosch is only 10 minutes drive away with its delightful historic centre, small shopping mall and restaurants. This is a good location for exploring the Cape Winelands with Franschhoek and Paarl just a 30 minute drive away. Cape Town, too, is just a 45 minute drive.


Franschhoek Country House Hotel, Franschhoek

An exclusive luxury boutique hotel in the centre of stylish Franschhoek

This is a small country hotel on the edge of Franschhoek. Note that you need to drive to the village centre.  The grounds are beautifully landscaped and overlook the mountains and vineyards, which are such a feature of the Franschhoek valley. The accommodation is very comfortable and decorated in a typically Cape style and some have private stoeps and balconies. The hotel has 25 bedrooms including 12  villa suites, which offer the ultimate in luxury and space and the peace, and tranquility of the surroundings is complemented by fine modern cuisine in the rated restaurant, which, in summer is served on the terrace overlooking the gardens. There is a swimming pool with wonderful views of the surrounding mountains.

About the Location

Here you are situated among some of the finest wineries anywhere in the world. From the hotel you can join the Franschhoek Wine Tram which offers a unique way to see some great wineries and sample their products without driving! Franschhoek has many fine restaurants and such is the popularity of this area, you will need to book some of the restaurants well in advance at the busiest times of the year – especially over Christmas and New Year.


Batavia, Stellenbosch

A modern boutique hotel in the charming historic district of Stellenbosch

Batavia is a luxurious boutique hotel with five star grading in Stellenbosch – regarded as the heart of Afrikaans learning.  Each of the 10 rooms are exquisitely appointed with a charming blend of traditional Cape Reed ceilings and modern fittings. Service is the key at Batavia and you are ensured a warm Afrikaans welcome!  The property is located close to the centre of Stellenbosch in a quiet road within walking distance of the historic town centre with its wonderfully preserved thatched buildings, art galleries, restaurants and shops.

About the Location

The centre of Cape Town is a 45-minute drive away, so rather than stay in the centre of the city, why not relax at Batavia and use this as your base from which to see Cape Town & Table Mountain, the Cape Peninsula (45 minutes’ drive) and the Winelands. Stellenbosch is often regarded as the centre of the Winelands and it is easy to drive across the mountains to Franschhoek (20 minutes’ drive), Paarl (15 minutes’ drive and even Tulbagh (1-hour drive).
Spier Village, Stellenbosch

Spier Village, Stellenbosch

Village style accommodations set in a large wine estate

Spier is a long established winery, which has developed substantially in recent years initially as a restaurant and a small cheetah conservation project to a fully-fledged resort, with a distinctly African feel, in beautiful grounds overlooking the Jonkershoek Mountains. Accommodation is located in the Spier Village, which extends to 155 rooms encompassing luxuriously appointed rooms and suites. Here you can hold a raptor, go for a segway tour, have a picnic by the lake, relax by one of the seven pools or indulge yourself in a wine tasting only a short stagger from your room.

About the Location

There are three rated restaurants and delis to cater for every taste. Horse and pony rides can be arranged and the property also boasts an 18 hole golf course. The property is conveniently situated 20 minutes drive from Cape Town International Airport and it will only take you 30 minutes to drive into the centre of Cape Town. Stellenbosch is 10 minutes away by car, The Strand with its excellent beaches is close by as is the Somerset Mall in Somerset West for shopping.


Le Quartier Francais

Le Quartier Francais, Franschhoek

Luxury and style set in the centre of Franschhoek

Although the hotel is situated right in the middle of bustling Franschhoek, step through into the gardens where the 21 suite style rooms open onto the compact pool and you could be in the middle of the countryside. The atmosphere is very calming set among the fragrant bushes and herbs. The rooms are much larger than usual and exquisitely decorated – some with antiques but all very tasteful. The restaurant is renowned for its food and here you will also find a delicatessen and bistro.

About the Location

The hotel is part of the original village founded by the Huguenots in the early 1700s and many of the nearby buildings date back to that time. In Franschhoek you will find interesting boutiques, numerous restaurants and, of course, many excellent wineries. The spectacular Franschhoek pass is only minutes away and Cape Town takes around 40 minutes along good roads.


Mont Rochelle, Franschhoek

Beautiful and very stylish thatched hotel overlooking the Franschhoek Valley

A first class luxuriously appointed hotel and although is priced to reflect this, the extra expense is well worth it. The hotel has spectacular views from the terrace overlooking the fabulous Franschhoek valley. The restaurant is one of our favourites and one of the most highly regarded in South Africa. The hotel is situated high above Franschhoek so most of the 22 bedrooms have spectacular views.

About the Location

The village is only 5 minutes drive away and is bustling with numerous boutiques, restaurants and street cafes. Some of the finest wineries in South Africa are within easy reach and Cape Town is only 45 minutes drive. Therefore, whether you want a romantic place to stay at the end of your holiday or just a dinner to remember Mont Rochelle should be on your itinerary.