De Kleine Prince: An Extraordinary Bolthole in the Karoo

The Karoo is a place that touches the soul, inspires storytelling and coaxes creativity. This has been true for design and branding specialist Adrian Lombard, who has spent five years transforming an ordinary house and garden into a remarkable dream-come-true sanctuary.

From the foundation of a heritage property, he’s added layers of contemporary art and design, custom-made furnishings, attention to detail and delightful surprises. It’s so generously filled with “attractions”, it’s almost a village in its own right.

Step into Wonderland

The early-20th-century homestead has been transformed into a unique East-meets-West, Africa-meets-Karoo playground, where you can gather in an abundance of spaces made for convivial dining and relaxing.

There are four Karoo-style stoeps with fabulous views; the dining courtyard has a banquet table, bar and piano; there’s a pool deck entertainment area complete with a music setup (keyboard, mics and bluetooth speaker); and a glamper’s bonfire (a sunken firepit with comfy seating) for Karoo stargazing.

For quieter private moments, ascend the ladder to the treehouse yoga deck, enjoy a cocktail-with-a-view on the lap pool’s martini seat, switch off in a floatation tank, have a massage in the open-air jasmine-wrapped pergola or explore the gorgeous gardens (dotted with traditional leiwater water channels).

Everywhere you look, it’s picture-perfect – from bedrooms filled with greenery to a Zen courtyard with a twisted bodhi tree – but also user-friendly and super-comfortable. There’s also a house manager-concierge on hand to attend to your every wish, whether in-house or for ideas for outings. And a wishing well in the garden for more personal inspiration.

The lodgings

The property consists of the main Victorian House, the adjoining Barn House and the self-contained Pool House, offering a total of five ensuite bedrooms – each with their own unique features and access to a verandah or the garden.

Victorian House + Barn

• 3 ensuite bedrooms: Conservatory Suite (with fireplace), Garden Suite + Library Suite
• bathrooms with bath and/or shower
• fully equipped dining kitchen and fire-kitchen (with gas, coal and wood)
• lounge with smart TV and screen for movie nights
• drawing room with fireplace

Pool House

• 2 bedrooms: Studio Suite (with fireplace) + Guest Bedroom
• bath and walk-in shower
• fully equipped kitchen
• verandah with braai
• eco lap pool
• outdoor bar area
• smart TV

Things to do

• swimming pool
• small orchard, Zen garden, crated food garden and herb and medicinal gardens
• Karoo succulent nursery and potting station (take home a spekboom plant)
• art and sculpture collection
• floatation tank and spa treatments
• Cape fynbos tea ceremony
• cafes, artsy shops and restaurants in Prince Albert
• hiking and mountain-biking routes nearby
• driving the Swartberg Pass and Meiringspoort

Good to know Minimum two-night stay.
Child friendly? Yes, older than 10 years
Pet friendly? Yes, when booking exclusive use
Wifi? Yes
Sleeps 10
Cost Exclusive use: from R1 650 per person per night (for 10 people)
Victorian House + Barn: from R2 210 per person per night (for six people)
Pool House: from R815 per person per night (for four people)
Where to find it 12 Church Street, Prince Albert
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