Swellendam's a popular first stop when travelling along the Garden Route. Just 2 hours from Cape Town, you find yourself driving through this historic town. Gaze up to the Langeberg Mountains, then let your eyes fall on Schoone Oordt Country House. This beautifully restored Victorian homestead has guest rooms in a row of terraced guest cottages, as well as a separate Honeymoon Suite and two Family Rooms. The setting is charming, amidst the rose garden, fountain and surrounding oak trees.
Homemade biscuits in your room and the daily afternoon tea make you feel at home. Sleep in traditional comfort, but climb the steps to the main house's conservatory for a bright and airy room where you can enjoy a glass of chilled wine and a delicious meal. Breakfasts are renowned, but dinners are certainly making a name for themselves too. Wake up to find your car sparkling clean, then head off to explore - there's enough nearby to keep you busy for a few days. Return to lounge by the pool, take a swim to cool off, head to the on-site restaurant for dinner, then start all over again.
Highs
- The comfortable and elegant rooms have immaculate bedding and attention to detail
- Swellendam is a good stopover if you're driving the Garden Route between Cape Town and Plettenberg Bay
- The charming team lend a very personal touch
- There's a nice pool area with loungers
- The food is imaginative, delicious, and served in a beautiful conservatory filled with light and greenery
Lows
- Expect to hear a little traffic noise - but the road running alongside isn't very busy and never bothered us
- This place is all about relaxing and enjoying your surroundings; if you're looking for buzz and excitement you may want to try elsewhere
Best time to go
This part of South Africa has a Mediterranean climate with long, hot summers, mild springs and autumns, and the possibility of rain or even frost during the Cape winter (May to July). The Garden Route can get busy during the months of January, February and March.
Our top tips
Swellendam makes for a natural stopover if you're travelling the Garden Route between Cape Town and Plettenberg Bay. If you're planning just to see the town then a night or 2 would be enough, but book at least 3 if you want to explore the national park or use Schoone Oordt as a springboard for the beaches of the Indian Ocean.
Always remember that petrol stations aren't that regular along the Garden Route, so top up your tank whenever you get the chance.
Always remember that petrol stations aren't that regular along the Garden Route, so top up your tank whenever you get the chance.
- Boutique Hotel
- 11 rooms
- Restaurant and bar (open daily)
- All ages welcome
- Open all year
- Outdoor Pool
- Spa Treatments
- Beach Nearby
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Car recommended
- Parking
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
- Excursions
- Wildlife
Rooms
The guest rooms have been carefully designed to blend with the character of the main house. Built alongside a pretty rose garden and fountain, the Luxury Rooms each have their own entrance and patio. Inside you get a traditional feel with wool carpets, antique wardrobes, dressers and fireplaces. Most have extra-length kingsize beds (which can be made into twins) - useful if you're very tall, but whatever your height the immaculate custom-made percale linen and goosedown bedding should ensure a comfortable night. Each room also has a handy butler's pantry with a little sink and fridge, where you can make a cup of tea or coffee to go with the delicious homemade biscuits. 2 of the Luxury Rooms are located upstairs and can interconnect via the balcony - making them useful for families and groups.
If you want something a little larger or more hidden away pick the Honeymoon Suite, set on the edge of small forest. Its carved wooden four-poster cuts an imposing presence in front of a Mexican pot-bellied stove.
The bathrooms in all rooms have clawfoot tubs, oversized showers, underfloor heating, double basins, heated towel rails, hairdryers, and toiletries from local brand Rain. We liked the embroidered dressing gowns and slippers. All rooms have satellite TV and DVD players, and the Honeymoon Suite has a CD player with a selection of music.
The Family Cottage has a kingsize bed downstairs for parents and 2 single beds in the loft space above for children. There's also space for a baby cot. The small kitchenette is perfect for warming milk and heating baby food, and the cottage is set apart from the other rooms and suites, so there's no need to worry about noisy kids disturbing other guests. For larger families, the Family Suite is ideal, comfortably sleeping up to six people and with plenty of extra space to fit a cot (or 2). Parents can enjoy a delicate afternoon tea from their balcony while the kids play freely in the garden below – a win-win scenario!
Features include:
- Fan
- Hairdryer
- In-room treatments available
- Minibar
- WiFi
Eating
We loved our set breakfast served in the bright and airy conservatory on simple china. There was some real imagination at play here, including fresh orange juice laced with mint from the garden, and sweetcorn and coriander crumpets topped with fresh avocado and tomato salsa and sour cream.
The Conservatory Restaurant, their on-site restaurant, serves up fine dining with South African flavour. Unpretentious, fresh and delicious, with seasonal, organic ingredients at the centre of dishes such as rooibos-smoked beetroot carpaccio with whipped goats cheese, a ciabatta wafer and baby leaf salad, and dark chocolate tart with basil and strawberry compote. Booking for dinner is advised.
A complimentary afternoon tea of sweet pastries, savoury snacks, homemade iced tea and lemonade is on offer daily in The Conservatory Restaurant. You could also enjoy teas or coffees from the comprehensive selection.
If you fancy eating out, La Sosta, Field & Fork and The Drostdy are well-regarded local eateries, and there’s a choice of places in town (all within walking distance).Tredici does light lunches during the day, and Barrel and Blues is an easy choice for families, with a play area on-site. Seek advice from the team at Schoone Oordt and you won’t go far wrong.
Features include:
- Afternoon tea
- Bar
- Breakfast
- Restaurants nearby
- Vegetarian options
Activities
- Explore the Marloth Nature Reserve (3km away) with its fynbos peaks and many walking trails (there are some mountain bike trails too)
- Take a short drive to Wildebraam Berry Estate for plenty of berry picking and jam tasting
- Play golf at the 9-hole course overlooking Hermitage Valley (3km away)
- Visit the Drostdy Museum, with the adjoining Old Gaol, a simple but interesting museum that's a 5-minute walk from the guesthouse
- Head for the coast, making sure to take in the De Hoop Nature Reserve (60km away). Between June and October it's one of the country's top whale-watching locations
- Go kayaking on the Buffeljags Dam or hike in the Bontebok National Park (10km away)
- Go horse riding in the foothills of the nearby Langeberg Mountains
- Visit the wine estates of Barrydale, Montagu and Robertson (20km away)
- Put your feet up by the pool or take a swim
- Massages and other pampering treatments can be arranged
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Golf
- Hiking
- Horse riding
- Kayaking
- Mountain biking
- Museums / galleries
- Shopping / markets
- Traditional cultures
- Trekking
- Whale watching
- Wine tasting
Kids
Children up to the age of 6 are free when sharing with their parents. The hotel offers children's meals, and highchairs can be provided. There are also cots and spare nappies and wipes if required.
Best for:
All ages
Family friendly accommodation:
Each Luxury Room can accommodate 1 child and 1 baby. The Family Cottage has a kingsize bed downstairs, 2 single beds in a loft area and a small kitchenette. The Family Suite is perfect for large families, 2 adults and 4 children and with extra space for a cot (or 2) in the main bedroom.
Cots Available, Extra Beds Available, Family Rooms
Babysitting:
Babysitting is available by arrangement
Baby equipment:
Baby cots and highchairs are available on request
Remember baby and child equipment may be limited or need pre-booking
Families Should Know:
Make sure little ones are supervised around the pool and on the steep steps leading up to The Conservatory . The Family Rooms are positioned at the opposite end of the property to the swimming pool.
Distances:
- Airport: 2hr40m
For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection
Location
Schoone Oordt Country House is in the peaceful town of Swellendam, about 210km from Cape Town along the Garden Route, in the Western Cape, South Africa. It is a small historic farming town with a handful of good restaurants, shops selling essentials, and an interesting museum. The surrounding countryside is beautiful and wild, ranging from rugged mountains to vast prairie-like fields.
By Air:
Most people fly into Cape Town International (205km away), which has good links from Europe, the USA and elsewhere in South Africa - click on the links below for a list of airlines.
From the Airport
It's a 2 hour and 40-minute drive along good roads from Cape Town to Swellendam.
By Car:
For car hire see our car rental recommendations. Off-street parking is available at Schoone Oordt.
Detailed directions will be provided when you book through i-escape.
More on getting to South Africa and getting around.
Airports:
- Cape Town International 205.0 km CPT
Other:
- Beach 60.0 km
- Shops 1.0 km
- Restaurant 1.0 km
Our guests' ratings...
Based on 1 independent review from i-escape guests
Feedback is only from guests who have booked and stayed through i-escape