If Stellenbosch Luxury Villa wasn’t an 18th-century manor house, it would be a movie set. Here is the elegant salon with oil paintings and velvet ottomans. There is the gentleman’s bar and ladies’ chaise longue. The shaded veranda has glorious vistas of the Helderberg Mountains, and Oriental rugs grace the parquet floors; lilies in cut-glass vases line the mahogany dining table.
But it's the gardens that are completely bewitching: a fabulous wonderland, full of surprises for families. Vast green lawns are dotted with 500 rose bushes and centuries-old oak trees; as you explore you'll discover a treehouse, a tipi, a retro rocking horse, even a zipwire. There's a solar-heated pool, but we loved spending our time in the eco pond, swimming past lily pads and dipping in and out of the decked Jacuzzi, complete with a pearl chandelier (yes, really). The beautiful Glass house is the icing on the fantasy cake. It’s a short drive to lively Stellenbosch but many guests say they rarely leave this Eden - we certainly didn't.
Highs
- Old-world charm in the heart of the Devon Valley wine region, just 40 minutes from Cape Town
- Great fun for families! They have 2 friendly dogs, a giant 'nest', a Mini car to play in, and a rowboat for the beautiful eco-pond
- A fully equipped kitchen for self-catering, plus a wood-fired pizza oven. The villa terraces are perfect for sundowners and steaks off the BBQ
- Ideal for a big group: 6 bedrooms including a family suite
- Rates include breakfast, nightly 3-course dinners, housekeeping and high-level security, and there's an on-site guest manager
Lows
- You'll probably want a car for the wine tours and trips to Stellenbosch (but you can Uber it)
- The nearest family beach, Gordon’s Bay, is at least a 45-minute drive away
- The solar-heated pool could get chilly in winter
- Boutique Villa
- 6 bedrooms
- Half board
- All ages welcome
- Open all year
- Outdoor Pool
- Spa Treatments
- Beach Nearby
- Babysitting
- Creche / Kids Club
- Car recommended
- Parking
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
- Daily Maid Service
- Towels & Bedlinen
- Laundry Service
- On-site villa manager
Rooms
The villa has 3 bedrooms on its upper floor - all ensuite (some shower only, some shower/tub), with comfy beds and balconies overlooking the gardens. With its kingsize bed and dressing room, the Master bedroom is the largest, made cosy with a cast-iron fireplace. The Second bedroom has a double and single bed, the Guest bedroom has a canopied queen bed. The 3 other bedrooms are in the detached building flanking the pool. The Full Bloom bedroom has a kingsize bed and romantic wooden terrace that backs onto the lily-padded pond. The Rockit Family Suite has a kingsize bed and 2 single beds. The Into the Wild suite has a gorgeous, freestanding copper bathtub beside the bed. These 3 bedrooms share a living space with a kitchenette.
Back in the main house, the TV/DVD room has 2 balconies and a flat-screen mounted above the fireplace. On the ground floor is a plush lounge and formal 12-seat dining room; the adjoining drawing room and mahogany bar open onto a terrace. The mod-con kitchen has a proper Aga oven and its own table for 10. By the pool is a pretty open-air summer room with plump blue-and-white wicker sofas.
Should the villa experience a power outage (common in South Africa) then a generator kicks into action, keeping everything running as normal.
Features include:
- Air conditioning
- Bathrobes
- DVD player
- Fireplace
- Hairdryer
- In-room treatments available
- Toiletries
- Tumble dryer
- TV
- Washing machine
- WiFi
Eating
The villa has a well-equipped kitchen with a central island and authentic Aga stove so it is suited to self-catering, though you'll hardly need to. Rates are half board; each day you'll get a Continental breakfast buffet and a 3-course dinner by your in-house chef, plus you'll receive a welcome pack and daily bottle of wine as a thank you for booking through i-escape.
We like the look of the ‘pizza patio’ – a terrace by the pond with a wood-fired pizza oven. Kids can grab a slice and clamber across the swing bridge to the table in the treetops. Adults can choose between 2 outdoor terraces, both with tables. The honesty bar is well stocked with South African spirits.
There are a couple of BBQs, which are always meticulously cleaned by staff after use. The nearby supermarket will deliver groceries if you need them, and staff will also shop for you on request. Stellenbosch is just a 10-minute drive from the villa and the town is chock-full of excellent restaurants.
Features include:
- Barbecue
- Breakfast
- Coffee maker
- Dishwasher
- Food blender
- Fridge
- Full kitchen
- Half board
- Hob or stove
- In-house cook
- Microwave
- Oven
- Shopping service
- Toaster
- Welcome hamper
Activities
- This place is an adventure dream for children, with a zipline, jungle gym, swings, trampoline, a treehouse, nest and a tipi with fire pit
- Take the resident Great Danes for a stroll, then go for a glide in the rowboat – the pond is enchanting, with a fountain and pearl chandelier hanging above it
- Lounge by the solar-heated pool or have a dip in the pond’s eco pool; there’s also a steam room, a glass-and-brick sauna and a wooden-decked hot-tub surrounded by greenery
- Unwind with a massage or private yoga class in the garden; both can be booked by the villa manager
- Admire the stunning Glass house in the garden; a breathtaking venue for weddings or parties, featured in Elle Deco. You can request a dinner in here with a private chef as part of your stay; ideal if you're celebrating something special
- The villa is in the heart of the Devon Valley wine region – there are scores of vineyards to tour, including the Vergelegen, Rust En Vrede, and the popular JC le Roux for sparkling wine. Best done in an Uber so you can taste properly!
- Stellenbosch is the second-oldest town in South Africa and worth a visit for its well-preserved buildings, busy bars, shops and galleries
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Cycling
- Farm tours
- Historical sites
- Horse riding
- Museums / galleries
- Plantlife / flora
- Shopping / markets
- Vineyard tours
- Wine tasting
- Yoga
Best Time to go
Stellenbosch Luxury Villa is open all year. The peak season (with the highest rates) is over Christmas and through South Africa’s warm and dry summer, from January to April. Rates are lower in the winter, from May to September, when the weather is cooler, with more rain.
Our Top Tips
Take time to look at the colourful modern artworks scattered throughout the villa and grounds. From abstract portraits to funky statues, they’re all by up-and-coming South African artists. Get the kids to count how many cows they can find!
Location
Stellenbosch Luxury Villa is in the Devon Valley wine region of South Africa's Western Cape. It's about 10 minutes' drive from Stellenbosch and 40 minutes by car from the centre of Cape Town.
By Air:
Fly into Cape Town International (40km).
From the Airport:
The hotel can arrange a free shuttle from the airport, but we recommend hiring a car.
Detailed directions will be sent when you book through i-escape. 
More on getting to South Africa and getting around.
Airports:
- Cape Town International 40.0 km CPT
Other:
- Beach 44.0 km
- Shops 6.0 km
- Restaurant 6.0 km