As winter sets in, take advantage of the chilly season by booking a romantic getaway at cosy accommodations in and around Cape Town.
Think crackling fireplaces, breathtaking views, and intimate settings. Here are some of the best spots in and around Cape Town for a romantic winter weekend:
Africa Lodge, Somerset West
Ideally located in the heart of the Cape Winelands, Africa Lodge showcases some of the best views of the Helderberg Mountain. This adults-only accommodation has only four rooms, each with a four-poster bed and luxury linens, a private bathroom with a rain shower, a fridge, and a seating area both inside and outside. The Buffalo apartment has a fireplace for those chilly mornings and evenings.
Some of the amenities include a boma, a breakfast and lounge area with a fireplace at the Garden Pavilion, a gift shop, and a laundry service. If you book directly via their website, you will receive a 10 percent discount.
Location: 39 Stellenberg Rd, Jonkershoogte|
Contact: Visit www.africa-lodge.com/
Arabella Hotel, Golf & Spa, Hermanus
A 60-minute drive from Cape Town, Arabella Hotel, Golf & Spa makes the perfect winter getaway. The 5-star property features 45 luxurious rooms and suites, offering views of the ocean, lagoon, and mountains. There is plenty to see and do here. You can tee-off at Arabella’s golf course or indulge in a few treatments at their award-winning spa, which features a rainforest, sauna, hydrotherapy healing and pool. The hotel is centrally located on three major wine routes: Elgin/Grabouw, Bot River and the Hemel and Aarde Valley, perfect for exploring on those warm winter days. If you want to cosy up in the hotel, you can head to their lounge area where fireplaces are located. There are also fireplaces in all suites. Arabella has two accessible rooms.
Location: Arabella Country Estate, R44, Kleinmond, Hermanus
Contact: Visit bit.ly/4dJM07x
Aquila Private Game Reserve, Touws River
Situated just 2 hours outside of Cape Town, Aquila Private Game Reserve provides an unforgettable experience for nature lovers and adventure seekers alike. Get the full safari experience as you go in search of the Big 5, warm up by the fireplace on cold evenings or experience their award-winning spas. Aquila is currently running a winter special, valid until 31 October 2024. The special includes welcome drinks, a morning and afternoon game drive, breakfast, lunch and dinner, and a stargazing experience. If you book a 2-night stay, you will receive complimentary spa access and a horseriding experience swap.
Location: R46, Touws River
Contact: Visit tinyurl.com/2024-SPECIALS, call 0214307260 or email res@aquilasafari.com
Africamps
Experience nature in all her glory at Africamps, located in five locations in the Western Cape. These include Doolhof Wine Estate in Wellington, Pat Busch Mountain Reserve in Robertson, Stanford Hills Estate in Standford, Kam’Bati River Resort in Swellendam, and de Pakhuys in Cederberg.
The custom-designed boutique glamping tents are fully furnished with everything you need for a comfortable self-catering stay, from fully kitted kitchens to a spacious lounge and bathroom. Each tent comes standard with two rooms and can accommodate 5 people. Stay for 3 nights or more and save R500 until 30 September 2024.
Contact: Visit africamps.com/
Orange Grove Farm, Robertson
If you are looking for a secluded escape with magnificent views over the mountains and vineyards, then you should visit Orange Grove Farm in Robertson.
Just a two-hour drive from Cape Town, the working wine and olive farm has an elegant 200-year-old Manor House and six charming cottages with private plunge pools and verandas overlooking the vineyards.
Individually named after the areas where the owner mined diamonds, the self-catering cottages are spacious and bright with fully equipped kitchens, comfortable living areas with fireplaces, and barbecue facilities for alfresco outdoor dining. The farm is a nature lovers’ paradise and offers a range of outdoor activities, including hiking, mountain biking, birdwatching and nature drives.
Location: Orange Grove Farm, Noree, Robertson
Contact: Visit orangegrovefarm.co.za/
Kolkol Fynbos Pods, Bot River
For those seeking a unique winter getaway, KolKol Fynbos Pods has five cozy pods designed for two guests each. Located 90 minutes from Cape Town, these pods are fitted with contemporary amenities and showcase breathtaking views. The expansive lounge area features a dual-sided fireplace, complete with inverters and batteries for uninterrupted comfort during loadshedding. Perfect for a romantic escape, couples can experience massages in the comfort of their cabin, plan excursions to nearby wineries, and dabble in many outdoor activities. The property offers nine charming log cabins, each furnished with a patio, boma braai, and a personal plunge pool or wood-fired hot tub for ultimate relaxation and enjoyment.
Location: Van Der Stel Pass Rd, Bot River
Contact: Visit www.kolkol.co.za/pods/
Avani Lodge, Bot River
Avani Lodge Private Nature Reserve is known for its eco-friendly, thatched, straw bale and cob rondavels, each with its own private wood-burning hot tub. Each of these accommodations is designed for two guests, except for the wheelchair-friendly Truffle, which can accommodate 2 to 4 people, and Parrastoel, which sleeps 2 to 6 people. The budget-friendly accommodation comes equipped with a kitchen, shower facilities and a lounge area. And, if you are lucky, you can meet the resident cat Sebastiaan, who roams around freely. There are hiking trails on the property.
Location: P6CP+58 Bot River, Bot Rivier
Contact: Visit avanilodge.com/
Tiny Cabin, Tulbagh
The wooden A-frame cabin is the latest addition at La Bruyere Farm in Tulbagh. Perched on the mountainside among the pine trees, the Tiny Cabin is a perfect hideout for anyone needing a little dose of nature, adventure, and peace. Located 90 minutes from Cape Town, the cabin features a lofted bedroom (accessible by ladder) with a queen-size bed, a cozy living room with a sofa, a library of curated books and games (inside the grey chest), a greenhouse-style bathroom, a well-equipped kitchen, and large windows for birdwatching, stargazing, and forest bathing.
Location: Tulbagh, Western Cape (Exact location to be shared when you book)
Contact: Visit labruyerefarm.co.za/
Inverdoorn Big 5 Private Game Reserve, Ceres Karoo
A 2.5-hour drive from Cape Town takes you to Inverdoorn Big 5 Private Game Reserve in the malaria-free Ceres Karoo. The 10 000 ha reserve offers luxurious accommodation with all the modern conveniences. During your safari, you may come across the Big 5, herds of eland, gemsbok and zebra or hippos frolicking in the dam.
In between game drives, enjoy an evening stargazing in the reserve or get lost in a thrilling novel by the fireplace. Inverdoorn has discounted accommodation offers for winter, which ends on 31 October 2024.
Location: R356 Sutherland Road
Contact: Visit inverdoorn.com/
Related Articles
