Feature: Restaurants close by

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.


Saxe Coburg Lodge

Saxe Coburg Lodge, Prince Albert

Old world charm in a comfortable lodge with excellent service

We love the hospitality at this small seven-room lodge – almost opposite the Swartberg Hotel. Some of the rooms are in the historic old house and four are in cottages in the grounds overlooking the distant Swartberg Mountains. There is also the possibility of accommodating a family in a suite of 3 bedrooms with two bathrooms, a small kitchen and a room housing memorabilia from the Boer War. A sumptuous breakfast is served by the owners either in the dining room or on the stoep overlooking the gardens.

About the Location

In the grounds you will see the property’s own dam, which stores water for irrigation purposes. This is fed by the interesting channels which go down each side of the main street and once a fortnight a sluice is opened allowing the owners to replenish their dams. As this indicates this is a very dry area with limited rainfall. The owner can arrange guided hiking tours into the Swartberg Mountains and into the mysterious Gamkaskloof (called ‘The Hell’ locally) which is a valley cut off from the rest of civilisation until the early 1960s. Alternatively you can enjoy the local produce based on Karoo Lamb, Olives and citrus fruit.