My night in Swellendam

In March, I travelled with my husband and 6 year old daughter to the picturesque town of Swellendam. This gem of a town is known as one of the oldest towns in South Africa. A historic little breakaway here is great for those wanting to get away from Cape Town, or for a stopover whilst on route to the Garden Route.

Schoone Oordt Country House is an iconic Victorian hotel steeped in history. It is owner-run and managed; the passion that goes into this hotel shines through in their food, hospitality and luxurious rooms. The owners bought the building and renovated it to what it is today; a project that took years of dedication! The dream started with wanting to raise their children in the countryside. This led them down the path of MANY kitchen renovations (with each renovation revolving around its own story) and finally stunningly beautiful rooms, each with its own story to tell.

Our arrival was cheerful and welcoming. We arrived to some lovely tea time treats, followed by a check in to our room. We were accommodated in their family room, which had a second bedroom with two sets of bunk beds—perfect for those traveling with more than one small child. The room has a spacious deck overlooking beautiful gardens.

After a dip in the pool, we went for a stroll to check out all the quaint shops and restaurants. A walk through town is like trying to follow a treasure map to find delicious farm sourced produce—except that the produce is around every corner! The local farms keep the town well stocked in delicacies, so there is a nice selection of shops to visit if this is of interest. 

In terms of restaurants, besides Schoone Oordt’s Conservatory Restaurant serving ethical fine dining, there are other local restaurants in the area that come highly recommended. Although we investigated the restaurants in the area, we decided to stay in, and dine at the hotel. We were very happy with our decision. Our daughter’s meal request was adhered to without any problem, so for picky kids this was the perfect choice! Our two-course meal was delicious too.

We had breakfast here the following morning, which was a 3 course affair! The portions are perfectly sized though, so you don’t feel too full. A must-try is the homemade granola!!

I love this boutique hotel as a romantic breakaway from Cape Town. The honeymoon suite is incredibly romantic, and what better way to spend your honeymoon than in the picturesque town of Swellendam?

We loved our time there and would love to return one day.