So you've arrived in Cape Town but can't decide whether to head straight for the Winelands or enjoy the city. Hawksmoor lets you have your cake and eat it. This 300-year-old Cape Dutch homestead is on the edge of the Winelands, just 15 minutes' drive from Stellenbosch but close enough to Cape Town for you to nip back to the city. If you stay, you can relax in style: inside there are fine antiques, while outside on the veranda white muslin curtains waft in the breeze. Beautifully peaceful, we keep on returning here to start our South African stays.
There's a sense of living in a different era here but it's far from fusty: arriving through the farm-style kitchen with its Aga stove and shiny copper pots, you immediately feel at home. The 16 inviting rooms are found in four buildings (former farm outhouses) set around the historic 'werf', beautiful flowering gardens and reflection pond. All have contemporary touches with silver-painted bedposts and old chairs covered with funky fabrics. It may be a working farm but think pretty dappled lawns shaded by oaks and jacarandas, a pool, in-room massages and lazy sundowners.
Highs
- Wonderfully peaceful with a relaxed make-yourself-at-home ambiance made more enjoyable by the large comfortable rooms that successfully mix old and new
- Good location for both the Winelands and Cape Town (a 40-minute drive)
- Very helpful and knowledgeable managers, who make great efforts to train disadvantaged locals to a high standard
- If you like dogs, their German pointers, Grace, Virginie and Jack, are never far away
- The view from the veranda: a great place to watch some stunning sunsets with Table Mountain in the distance
Lows
- If you want a change from the onsite restaurant you'll have to drive out, but there are plenty of good restaurants in the area and their recommendations are excellent
- Be prepared to take breakfast with other guests at one long table, but for us this was enjoyable
- In-room tech is limited to WiFi (no TVs or phones), but this can be a real joy for many
- No kids under 12 allowed
Best time to go
The Winelands are good to visit throughout the year. The busiest time is from December through to April when the majority of visitors from Europe pitch up. Prices drop during the South African winter (May-August) when, in spite of colder temperatures and the possibility of rain, the area still looks beautiful and you don’t have to fight to get a table at a restaurant.
Our top tips
Try to stay for 2-4 nights. This gives you the chance to check out a couple of local wineries, relax at the farm and have a couple of really good meals at some of the restaurants in the area. When dining out be sure to book a table well in advance.
Location
Hawksmoor House is 20 minutes' drive from the centre of Stellenbosch, in South Africa's Winelands. It is about 40 minutes by car from the centre of Cape Town.
By Air:
Fly into Cape Town International (40km). Click on the links below for a list of airlines serving it.
From the Airport
The hotel can arrange a transfer (35 minutes), but we recommend hiring a car.
By Car:
You will probably want to drive around the area and explore. See our car rental recommendations.
Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.
More on getting to South Africa and getting around.
Airports:
- Cape Town International Airport 40.0 km CPT
Other:
- Beach 30.0 km
- Shops 5.0 km
- Restaurant 2.0 km
Our guests' ratings...
Based on 1 independent review from i-escape guests
The location is stunning. New management took over last November. They are very attentive to anything you want. Although the vibe is super relaxed, which we really liked, they could be more forthcoming with information ie needing a fob to be able to get out of the estate. A small extra would be that rooms could do with long mirrors. Overall we had a wonderful stay in the most beautiful place.
Feedback is only from guests who have booked and stayed through i-escape