While many are fascinated with the idea of bigger being better, here’s a hotel that celebrates the smaller things in life. The team at this 5-star hotel located on Route 62, South Africa’s famous wine route, buy-in to the ethos that small things can make a big difference. And it’s an approach that’s seen this destination regularly make the upper reaches of lists of South Africa’s best country hotels.
So there’s plenty to draw you here, not least that the Victorian-style Manor House on the site enjoys National Monument status, having been built in 1909 and fully refurbished in 2016. And getting here – the hotel is in the heart of the Cape Winelands - will only take up a small amount of your time – it’s under 2 hours from Cape Town International airport and about an hour and a half from Franschhoek.
Guess what? The restaurant here is billed as small and is located inside the manor house with seating both undercover and out on the patio. You can enjoy breakfast, lunch and dinner which are all served daily, with breakfast included in your booking fee.
Guests tend to gravitate toward the bar after their evening meal to enjoy cocktails, wines and other drinks in the EM Bar, named after a former resident of the Manor House. Tannie Em was a bit of a mysterious character by all accounts, yet enjoyed a drink before bedtime. You can too and, apparently, rose-infused G&T is the drink to order in here.
Cosy places to sit are dotted around and about the beautiful gardens, established by a green-fingered former owner of the hotel. The outside spaces are dominated by two swimming pools that you won’t be surprised to learn are on the small side. The hotel also has a Wellness Room where you can go for massages and treatments.
There are 10 suites here, spread out between the Manor House, the poolside and the stables. Despite the name of this boutique hotel, the suites give you enough space to enjoy a relaxing time. They all have underfloor heating, LED TVs, free Wi-Fi, tea and coffee making machines and air conditioning. The beds are one thing about Robertson that aren’t small. They’re super kingsize, and are joined in the rooms by an ensuite bathroom with shower. The pool side and stable suites afford you views of one of the two pools.
The hotel’s location on the famous Route 62 means you’re spoilt for choice when it comes to wineries you can visit to taste the local creations. But there’s more than wine to enjoy around here. Get the hotel team to book you a cruise along the Breede River, or don your hiking boots and head up into the mountains. It seems to be the case that the higher you go, the better your views of the valley below. And of course, trips into Cape Town and Table Mountain will also be on the cards.
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