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The Retreat, Groenfontein, Nr Calitzdorp

The Retreat is one of our favourites for getting away from it all

The owners, who live on site, have developed this property as a farm and a haven for guests who want something a little different. The atmosphere is very relaxed and The Retreat is located along the quiet and almost timeless Groenfontein Valley. There are 8 rooms including two sizeable suites. 5 of the rooms have wood fires for those cooler winter nights. They are beautifully appointed with the decor harking back to an historic farmstead. The lounge and dining room lead onto a stoep (veranda) overlooking the sweeping gardens and the majestic Swartberg Mountains. Food is a specialty at The Retreat and the owners pride themselves on very high standards of local cuisine. There is a very welcoming pool in the luxuriant gardens that is a haven after the heat of the day. Rates include a three-course dinner and a traditional hearty South African breakfast – vegetarians are particularly welcome.

About The Retreat’s Location

The well-maintained gravel road runs between Calitzdorp and Schoemanshoek. You will be welcomed by the owners who can arrange hiking of all grades in the Swartberg Mountains that dominate the horizon. At certain times of the year, spring and autumn, they can also arrange a three-day hike into the mysterious, hidden valley known as Die Hel! Calitzdorp is approximately 20kms away and is renowned as the unofficial ‘capital’ of South Africa’s Port industry. The Cango Caves are close by and can afford a worthwhile excursion. The caves can be hot and humid and there is an extended excursion for the adventurous that include some real, if fairly modest, caving. Note that in mid summer (January & February) this location can be exceptionally hot although very dry.

De Opstal, Schoemanshoek, Nr. Oudtshoorn

De Opstal is an unusual, generally high standard accommodation at a very affordable price in a great location
De Opstal is a unique and comfortable accommodation in historic converted typical Little Karoo farm buildings. There are 21 rooms and suites to choose from. These include a converted milking shed and cow stable to large Pool, Pond and Garden Suites each with their own private patio. Many of the rooms have beautiful cape reed ceilings and are furnished in country style – all with large en suite bathrooms. The property dates back to 1830 and has been owned by the same family for the entire period. Some of the rooms are suitable for families. For some people the age of the buildings may be regarded as rather rustic and you should not expect 5 star luxury. Breakfasts are a hearty meal. In the evenings you can enjoy the excellent local cuisine (Ostrich is a feature) in atmospheric surroundings.

About De Opstal’s Location

Schoemanshoek is one of those idyllic locations, which are so rare. The village is set in the foothills of the Swartberg mountain range near the stunningly attractive Schoemanspoort Pass. This is approximately 10 minutes drive from Oudtshoorn on the road to the Cango Caves. Hiking can be arranged and you can visit the Swartberg Pass with its extraordinary road to Die Hel (The Hell) from the summit. This was an isolated community until the 1960s and is now a living museum. Close to De Opstal, you will find Ostrich Farms. It is a short drive to some extraordinary ‘Feather Palaces’, The Cango Wildlife Ranch and retailers that specialise in Ostrich leather.

Balalaika Hotel, Sandton, Johannesburg

A good location for a short stay in a safe a lively part of Johannesburg

This large hotel is part of the Protea Hotels chain and we have chosen it for this collection because of the excellent service standards it provides, the comfortable rooms, calm ambiance and its location. There is a pool and a pretty garden which is a restful oasis to enjoy a quiet drink!

About the Location

The hotel is one of the most convenient for the Sandton Mall area that is now the hub of Johannesburg’s lively business and financial district. This is also one of the largest shopping malls in South Africa. A a complement the Balalaika’s own grill restaurant, The Bull & Bear restaurant which is adjacent serves excellent grills. Whether you need a one-night stopover before your onward journey or you are seeking a base from which to explore this fascinating city and area, The Balalaika will provide you with a comfortable, inexpensive location.

Coral Tree Cottages, Nr. Plettenberg Bay

Coral Tree Cottages is one of our favourite locations for families

Coral Tree Cottages have 3 single bedroom cottages and 3 double bedroom cottages. Each cottage is brick built and thatched. Each cottage has a lounge and dining area, fully equipped kitchen and well-maintained and decorated bathroom. The decoration is classic and the cottages are maintained to a high standard. One of the two bedroom cottages has the benefit of its own swimming pool. All the cottages have a private garden area with braai (barbecue) facilities. The cottages are conveniently situated close to the main N2 road. As you drive down the gravel drive you enter a different world with exotic trees and plants in the beautifully landscaped grounds. Because of the way the cottages are located, the impression is that you are miles from civilisation. There is also a communal pool set in the gardens and, thoughtfully, there is a children’s play area next to the owner’s cottage. However, this is not just for children and families as the one-bedroom cottages are also ideal for couples looking for a quiet and inexpensive retreat with some wonderful nature walks into the surrounding Harkerville Forest.

About Coral Tree Cottages’ Location

Plettenberg Bay with its three beautiful beaches and excellent shopping is only 7 minutes drive away. Knysna is a 10-minute drive in the opposite direction and close by is the Knysna Elephant Park where you can get very close to their three charming elephants. A little further and at The Crags there are a number of animal parks. Here you can get close to indigenous small cats, monkeys, birds, elephants and even snakes. Adventure Land is a part of Coral Tree and your children will enjoy the extensive water park. There are numerous water slides, tubing and swimming pools to keep you occupied for many hours.

Laird’s Lodge, Plettenberg Bay

Quiet location and comfortable accommodation in the Heart of The Garden Route

This is a small luxuriously appointed country lodge set in the Harkerville Forest that lies between the N2 highway and the spectacular coastline close to Plettenberg Bay. There are 16 beautifully appointed rooms and a level of privacy that gives Laird’s Lodge an excellent reputation for people looking to ‘get away from it all’. The gardens are a veritable botanists dream and provide a calm oasis to chill out and relax – maybe savouring a drink beside the pool. Laird’s Lodge is particularly renowned for its fine restaurant.

About the Location

The Lodge is situated on the edge of the forest around 10 minutes’ drive to the centre pf Plettenberg Bay and its fine beaches. You are also only 15 minutes away from bustling Knysna and around 20 minutes from the animal parks in The Crags. The lodge is at the centre of the Garden Route Wine Trail with its 17 wineries – many offering fine cuisine with your wine tasting.

Milkwood Manor, Plettenberg Bay

A true beachfront hotel in the heart of the Garden Route

Milkwood Manor must have one of the best locations on The Garden Route. It is adjacent to Lookout Beach, which is one of the three main beaches in Plettenberg Bay. The 11 bedrooms are beautifully appointed, stylishly decorated and are a reasonable size. Many have balconies with views over the tidal lagoon. If the beach isn’t enough then you can relax with a drink beside the pool or on the terrace overlooking the lagoon.

About the Location

This location is an ornithologist’s dream with a wonderful range of bird species right outside your bedroom window. The hotel has a Thai restaurant, open from October to April, reflecting the owner’s part Asiatic origins. If you need alternative cuisine then the Lookout Deck is just across the car park. This is a renowned local haunt where you can order excellent seafood and grills overlooking the Indian Ocean. The centre of Plettenberg Bay is a short drive away and, for the energetic, you can walk into the centre.

Naries Namakwa Retreat, Nr Springbok

Naries provides unusual accommodation in a rarely visited corner of South Africa

Naries Namakwa Retreat is a truly unique property is situated 20 kms west of the one time copper mining town of Springbok. There are 5 double rooms in the manor house, some with sweeping views over the valley to the east. Additionally there are 3 extraordinary Namakwa style huts perched high on a ridge. These overlook the dramatic Specktakel Pass with the original copper mine discovered in 1671 still apparent at its base. These huts are as luxurious as some of the finest game lodges in South Africa and are thatched on the inside as well as the outside. This keeps them cool in the blistering summer sun and warm in the chilly winters. There are also 2 family cottages. The lodge prides itself on its excellent cuisine served in a romantic candlelit dining room.

About Naries’ Location

The extensive grounds of this private nature reserve are crisscrossed with walking trails. Although good at any time of the year, during July, August and early September you will be walking amongst the dense and vivid Namakwaland flowers that bloom briefly. From here you will be able to get to the extraordinary Richtersveld National Park. Here you will experience its moonscape terrain and equally weird vegetation. The coast is mainly controlled by De Beers because of the extensive offshore and onshore Diamond mining activities. It is possible to join a guided tour of these activities and also of the extensive shipwrecks littering the coast. This location can be combined with a visit to the extraordinary Kgalagadi Transfrontier park sandwiched between Botswana and Namibia in the Kalahari desert. In between, you can visit the Augrabies Falls where the Orange river plunges down a series of impressive waterfalls.

Sun River Kalahari Lodge, Upington

A great jumping off point situated on the Orange River

Sun River Lodge is a convenient starting point for your travels in the Northern Cape. Just 10 minutes from Upington Airport, it is situated on the banks of the Orange River overlooking the railway bridge that is one of the features of the town. This owner run lodge has 16 comfortable, air conditioned rooms. Some first floor rooms have a private deck over looking the beautiful grounds and the river. There is a great bar by the pool and also a deck extending over the river for a romantic glass of local wine at sunset with the cooling air of the water tempering the heat of the day.

About the Location

This can be used as a base from which to explore the area. The Airport is also noteworthy as the second longest runway in the world and the only other place that can be used as a landing strip for the US Space Shuttle other than Edwards Airforce Base in the US.

Belvidere Manor Lagoonside Cottages, Knysna, Garden Route

Belvidere Manor has sweeping views over the renowned Knysna Lagoon and is an historic property with a charming tavern

Experience the convenience of your own self catering cottage in the grounds of Belvidere Manor with incomparable views of the Knysna lagoon. Each of the 30 cottages has a lounge with open fireplace, fully equipped kitchen, a double bedroom with en suite bathroom and spectacular views thrown in as an added bonus! Breakfast is provided on the stoep (veranda) of the historic manor house. Reviews are generally very favorable but there have been some (very few) concerning service quality and the need in places for some refurbishment.

About Belvider Manor’s Location

Belvidere is the quieter side of Knysna – especially in the high season (December and January) but the town is easily accessible with its restaurants and interesting boutiques and art galleries in addition to the beautiful lagoon side beaches on Leisure Island only 15 minutes drive away. You can stay here as a base for your stay in the Garden Route with Plettenberg Bay just a 30 minute drive, the Tsitsikamma National Park an hour away and the spectacular coast at Wilderness a 20 minutes’ drive.

Hog Hollow Country Lodge, Plettenberg Bay

Set in a forest close to Plettenberg Bay, this long established lodge consistently rates as 5 star on Trip Advisor

This is a veritable ecological experience 15 minutes drive from busy Plettenberg Bay. All 16 suites are decorated in true African style with extensive use of natural woods and colours. Relax by the pool and soak up the panoramic views across the forest and the Tsitsikamma Mountains in the distance.

About the Location

Hikes can be arranged through the indigenous forest with its abundance of bird life or you can extend your trip down to the Indian Ocean where you will see Dolphins and, in season, Southern Right Whales. Monkeyland is also close at hand where you can see an extensive variety of primates -many of which have been rescued from zoos to be relocated in a more natural environment. If the calm and peace of life at Hog Hollow listening to the myriad of birds in the trees begins to pall, then Plettenberg Bay is close with its three glorious beaches. You could drive to nearby Nature’s Valley at the start of the scenic old Bloukrans Pass and a beach which is great for walking but the tides make this dangerous for swimming, or maybe a quiet trip up the Keurbooms River stopping to relax and picnic (basket provided by the lodge) at one of the remote beaches will entice you. Whatever your interests, making Hog Hollow your base will allow you many options for your holiday.