As the last of the southern rights head south for the summer and as the whale-watching industry winds down, less obvious inland Overberg destinations beckon. This month the Greenwood Guides focus on a few places to stay that are wonderful destinations. All share the Guides' ideals of all-round great hospitality and are a joy to discover.
ROUXWIL COUNTRY HOUSE
Rouxwil is perfectly positioned in the middle of nowhere - or everywhere. You couldn't wish for a better base from which to explore the region.
The main farmhouse buzzes with the industry of a traditional farm kitchen. At the outside braai, Thys grills his oryx sirloins or dispenses encyclopaedic advice on the best-kept secrets of nearby towns.
The rooms are certainly not what you would expect on a wheat and sheep farm. No rusted old plumbing or creaking floorboards here. Rather slate tiles, power-showers and plenty of king-size comfort. Doors open on to gardens of cycads, roses and lavender, zebras, antelope and blue cranes. Come to think of it, with a pool to cool off in, a quad-bike for exploring and a river raft for sundowners, why would you want to leave Rouxwil at all?
Rooms: 4: all doubles with en-suite bath and shower.
Price: R550 pp sharing.
Meals: Full breakfast included: Dinner R165.
BEAUMONT WINE ESTATE
Jayne and Ariane Beaumont
Compagnes Drift Farm, Bot River
Call: 028 284 9194
E-mail: [email protected]
Jayne's guests stay in the charming buildings of an 18th-century former mill house and wagon shed, left as far as comfortably possible as they were, including yellowwood beamed ceilings.
Outside, the willow-shaded jetty on the farm lake offers one of the Western Cape's prettiest settings.
While Jayne and her family busy themselves producing their annual 150 000-odd bottles of wine, you can swim in the lake or roam their land - they own half a mountain! You can even have home-cooked meals delivered to you as you wine-taste in the cellar.
The estate is part of an exciting bio-diversity wine route and you only have to trot down the road to find horse riding.
The setting is beautiful and well worth spending several nights here. Proud member of Green Mountain Eco Route - www.greenmountain. co.za Rooms: 2 self-catering cottages. Mill House has 2 bedrooms; Pepper Tree has 1 double.
Price: R250 pp sharing for first two people. Extra people R110 pp.
Meals: Self-catering
ROTHMAN MANOR
Andreas and Franziska Gobe
l268 Voortrekker St, Swellendam
Call: 028 514 2771
E-mail: [email protected]
With lily-littered dam, salt-water pool and cobbled courtyard Rothman Manor boasts park-like grounds. The original Cape Dutch house and venerable oak tree both date back to 1834, yet fresh, clipped interiors shift matters decisively into the present. Each generous room has its own patio with a view. Spoil yourself indoors with an individually-tailored massage.
I was bowled over with sightings of zebra, sprightly springbok and a couple of ostriches, all residents of the Gobel's eco-reserve.
Rooms: 6: 3 kings and 3 twins, 4 with full baths, 2 with shower only.
Price: R420 - R875 pp sharing
Meals: Full breakfast included.
JAN HARMSGAT COUNTRY HOUSE
Brin and Judi Rebstein
A true country house, Jan Harmsgat is a breath of fresh air in an often-chintzy genre. Judi and Brin rescued it from tumbledown oblivion in 1989. It is a beautiful place - and its restaurant is starting to catch the food-media's eye.
Guests are housed in old slave quarters whose large rooms and great comfort might make you forget their history. I had a colour-me-happy moment when I opened my shutters in the morning, to be drenched in a sweet citron-scented breeze from the orchard.
Rooms: 5: 1 twin with en/s shower & 1 twin with en/s bath; 1 queen with Victorian bath in room & en-suite loo; 1 king with bath in room & en-suite loo; 1 king luxury room with bath and shower.
Price: R440-R910 pp sharing. Luxury room R1 030.
Meals: Full breakfast included. The restaurant is open for dinner to the public (reservations essential). Four-course set menu R250 pp.
BLOOMESTATE
Maarten and Carla van der Ven, 276 Voortrekker St, Swellendam
Call: 028 514 2984
E-mail: [email protected]
If it weren't for the welcoming smiles on Carla and Maarten's faces and for the giant ridgebacks bounding across the lawn, I'd have been concerned that I'd stumbled off Swellendam's main street into a photo shoot for a design magazine.
This house overflows with originality and is the quintessence of modern living (I-pod stations, wireless internet) and super-soft beds.
Book a massage, or skip across to the Jacuzzi overlooking the dam. The breakfast, is as fresh, beautifully presented and utterly delicious as the place itself.
Rooms: 7: 4 kings and 3 twins, all with en-suite bath and shower.
Price: R575 - R850 pp sharing.
Meals: Full breakfast included.