The Best Places to Stay in the Robertson Wine Valley

Beyond the familiar Stellenbosch Winelands lies another wine-making region, replete with mountain scenery, vineyards bordered by rose bushes, fruit orchards and the Breede River meandering through it. It also has its own new wine category called Calcrete, a terroir-specific style of unwooded chardonnay.

Robertson (founded in 1852) is the main centre, and a stay here gives you access to more than two dozen wine estates, plus more in the surrounding towns of Bonnievale, Ashton, McGregor and Montagu. Some are generations-old family farms, others more recent arrivals and boutique-style.

You’ll find this valley rich in history, characters and true country hospitality, and discover that it loves food and wine and outdoor living. It may seem more rustic and serene, but there’s style and substance here, with many gems to discover and delight in – not least of which is a new steam-train trip.

The Robertson Small Hotel

Setting If you’re in the mood for a five-star hotel experience, in the centre of town, this stunning property built around a national monument (1909) radiates carefully considered design at every turn… There’s a choice of suites in the serene gardens and rooms in the Victorian manor house with its wide, shady verandah. An impression of space and light prevails, but on an intimate scale with a personal touch and unforgettable service. Cape Town artist Michael Chandler designed the blue-and-white porcelain-tiled bar, with its beautiful artworks and high-end design features. When you’re not out exploring, relax in a lounger beside the pool, sip on innovative cocktails, wine and dine on local, seasonal dishes at The Small Restaurant, and indulge in a pinotage massage at the spa.

The lodgings

• 4 suites, 7 rooms (Manor House, Pool Suites or Stables Rooms)
• super king-size beds
• ensuite with shower and/or bath
• seating (bay-window bench in rooms)
• tea/coffee station (Ronnenfeldt designer tea, Hausbrandt pod coffee) with homemade cake of the day at 3pm
• minibar
• LED TV
• air-conditioning and underfloor heating
• furnished balcony/verandah (in suites)

Things to do

• swimming in two pools
• treatments at Zest Spa
• cocktails at Em Bar
• dining in-house
• unwind in the gardens

Good to know The Stables Rooms share one private pool courtyard; the Pool Suites share the main pool (step straight from your private deck into the water). A 24-hour all-day menu is available (including in-room), and breakfast is served until 11am.
Child friendly? Over 12-year-olds only
Pet friendly? No
Wifi? Yes
Sleeps 2 per room
Cost From R4 500 per room (breakfast included)
Where to find it 58 Van Reenen Street, Robertson
MAKE A RESERVATION

The Grand Hotel

Setting A landmark of the Robertson townscape, The Grand (built in 1901, and a hotel since 1927) is fresh from a complete renovation that has preserved the Victorian heritage (think high ceilings and beautiful fireplaces) while adding layers of contemporary comfort. It’s also become a wine-lover’s destination, truly celebrating its location in a viticultural valley – the rooms are each named after local wine farms; your welcome glass of wine comes from the estate that inspired your room, and a two-night stay includes a ride in the hotel’s London black taxi to that estate for a tasting. When you’re not out and about, there’s a stylish pool courtyard with sofa loungers, a spa, a bar and restaurant (think mezze for alfresco lunch, local and global favourites for candlelit dinner).

The lodgings

• 9 spacious rooms (deluxe or superior) + 1 suite
• king-size beds (queen bed in deluxe room)
• ensuite with shower (most with baths as well)
• seating area or separate lounge
• fireplace (in selected suites)
• minibar, tea/coffee station and Nespresso machine
• smart TV with Netflix
• private patio/balcony (selected suites)
• room service (8am – 8pm)

Things to do

• swimming in the pool
• spa treatments
• board games and books in the library
• art workshops (on weekends)
• culinary experiences with guest chefs (on weekends)

Good to know There is also a two-bedroom cottage with an open-plan lounge, dining room and kitchen, patio and braai area. Note, it’s not self-catering: you can order from the hotel menu or hire a private chef for your stay.
Child friendly? Teens only, from 14 years old
Pet friendly? No
Wifi? Yes
Sleeps 2 per room
Cost From R3 500 per night, breakfast included
Where to find it 28 White Street, Robertson
CHECK AVAILABILITY + BOOK DIRECT

Mo & Rose at Soekershof

Setting In the Klaasvoogds Valley just outside town, the Soekershof botanical garden (established in the 1950s and filled with towering cacti, succulents, trees and water features) is a haven of peace, birdsong and natural beauty. Even better, in the middle of it you’ll find a boutique guesthouse. Comprising the original farmhouse (decorated with modern country-luxe flair) and a historic cottage, all rooms open onto the garden or pool lawns. It’s a nature-infused sanctuary where a sugarbird might flit past your patio or an owl hoot goodnight. The garden also offers a culinary retreat: a wine bistro that celebrates local ingredients in fresh and innovative combinations. A special dinner (and breakfast) awaits just steps from your room.

The lodgings

• 3 standard rooms, 4 luxury rooms and 1 suite
• king-size XL beds (¾ twin beds in standard pool room)
• ensuite with bath and/or shower
• lounge/seating area
• minibar, tea/coffee station and Nespresso machine
• satellite TV + DVD player
• large furnished patio
• fireplace (in luxury rooms and suite)
• communal pool with sun loungers

Things to do

• explore the garden (almost 2 hectares)
• picnics
• swimming in the pool
• bar and dining in-house

Good to know The 2 maisonette suites in the cottage have attic bedrooms accessed by steep stairs.
Child friendly? Yes, in some rooms
Pet friendly? No
Wifi? Yes
Sleeps 2 adults per room
Cost From R3 150 per night for two adults, including breakfast
R200 (child); R1 575 (teens up to age 16)
Where to find it Klaasvoogds Valley, off the R60, 7km east of Robertson
CHECK AVAILABILITY + BOOK DIRECT

TheLAB Robertson

Setting You get the best of all worlds at this guesthouse in the Klaasvoogds Valley – history, nature, eco cred and hi-tech all combine into a unique offering. A Cape Dutch-style manor house is the heart of the lodgings, and set slightly away are safari-styled units that make the most of the views. The modern, minimalist rooms come with Echo voice-controlled automation, so you don’t have to lift a finger to close the blinds, dim the lights or switch on the TV. Perennial attractions such as an infinity pool, a wellness cabin beside the dam, and a restaurant with a seasonal, locavore menu (with alfresco dining deck and bar) add extra sparkle to your stay. The property is solar-powered and has an electric-car charging station. (The “Lab”, by the way, refers to the founder’s dog, Einstein.)

The lodgings

• 12 manor house rooms (superior, deluxe and petite)
• 8 secluded units (superior, petite and family room)
• king, queen, double and single beds
• open-plan or ensuite shower (plus bath in pool rooms)
• tea/coffee station and fridge
• desk
• TV with Netflix
• furnished patio/deck
• jacuzzi/plunge pool (optional; extra fee)

Things to do

• swimming in the pool
• spa treatments
• on-site bar and dining

Good to know The 3-day Walk, Wine & Wellness Retreat is a guided, on-foot exploration of the valley, its wine farms and other attractions, with spa treatments and wonderful meals (minimum 6 guests).
Child friendly? Yes
Pet friendly? Yes
Wifi? Yes
Sleeps 2 per room; 4 in family room
Cost From R2 400 per night (breakfast included)
Walk, Wine & Wellness Retreat: R8 500 per person sharing
Where to find it Klaasvoogds Valley, off the R60, 7km east of Robertson
CHECK AVAILABILITY + BOOK DIRECT

Beuld

Setting On a view-drenched flower farm (also home to a few alpacas and springboks), this picturesque property is known for its fairytale weddings. But the two luxury, self-catering cottages are also ideal for those seeking a serene country getaway, each with its own style and drawcard. Cellar 1947 is a striking architectural reworking of a historic building, complete with its own private wine cellar (think super-atmospheric dinners), while Cellar 1980 is newly built and just as eye-catching. Both are fitted out with sleek, modern amenities and furnishings and wood-fired hot tubs. The other reason to book a stay here is Ragazzi, a fabulous Italian restaurant helmed by chef Clinton Drake, who has plenty of international experience, including Michelin-starred eateries like The French Laundry.

The lodgings

• 2 two-bedroom double-level cottages
• king-size + double beds (Cellar 1947), queen beds (Cellar 1980)
• ensuite with bath and shower
• fully equipped kitchen
• open-plan living room with dining table and fireplace
• wine cellar with dining table (in Cellar 1947)
• satellite TV, Apple TV and DVD player
• furnished patio with dining table
• hot tub
• small private garden with lawn

Things to do

• walks and hikes on the farm
• dining on-site

Good to know The Cellar District has 8 luxurious “pods” (cottages) to accommodate wedding parties, with a pool, hot tub and braai area.
Child friendly? Yes
Pet friendly? No
Wifi? Yes
Sleeps 4 adults per cottage (+ 2 children in Cellar 1947)
Cost From R4 200 per night
R2 100 (child under 13 years)
Pods: R1 500 per night
Where to find it Roodehoogte, off Johan De Jongry Road, 2.5km east of Robertson
CHECK AVAILABILITY + BOOK DIRECT

Penhill Farm

Setting With a history of hospitality going back to the earliest days of the Cape (as a travellers’ waystation), this country retreat in the Nuy Valley – midway between Worcester and Robertson – is a must-visit. Offering authentic Klein-Karoo farm living with a deluxe touch, you can stay in the restored 1840 Cape Dutch manor house, or in two historic cottages (the Fruit Barn and secluded Pepper Tree – the oldest structure in the valley, built in 1750) or the recently added Grange (two double-storey, semi-detached cottages). Breathtaking mountain views, beautiful gardens and pools, a farm dam with a wooden jetty and nature trails on 700 hectares make it an enchanting escape for families. Plus, it’s home to The Cellars Restaurant, renowned for its seasonal long-table feasts.

The lodgings

• 4 cottages (two bedrooms each) + 1 manor house (four bedrooms)
• king-size and single beds
• ensuite with bath and/or shower (manor house has three bathrooms, one shared)
• fully equipped kitchen with gas stove and electric oven
• living and dining room with fireplace
• smart TV for streaming
• private swimming pool (except the Grange)
• wood-fired hot tub (except the manor house)
• furnished sundeck/patio with outdoor table
• braai area (Weber braais on request)
• private garden area
• air-conditioning
• serviced daily

Things to do

• swimming in the pools or mountain rock pools
• dam for paddling and fishing (kayaks available)
• 4 hiking trails on-site
• picnics (including a guided hiking picnic lunch)
• cycling on gravel roads and mountain trails (bikes to borrow)
• tennis court
• boules and croquet court
• on-site bar and dining

Good to know The entire place can be booked for exclusive use.
Child friendly? Yes
Pet friendly? No
Wifi? Yes
Sleeps 4 per cottage; 8 in manor house
Cost The Granges: from R6 200 per night for two adults
Cottages: from R11 400 per night
Manor House: from R15 400 per night (up to six guests)
Where to find it Agtervink Road, Nuy Valley, 31km from Robertson
CHECK AVAILABILITY + BOOK DIRECT

Jonkmanshof

Setting Considered part of the Robertson Wine Valley, the historic town of Montagu presents an appealing alternative base for exploring the wine route. In Bath Street, Jonkmanshof comprises two 19th-century Cape Dutch-style homes that were renovated with lashings of design flair (courtesy of Jacques Erasmus of Cape Town’s Hemelhuijs and his business partner Hein Liebenberg). Every room is an immersive artwork, every object and antique considered – but it’s comfortable too, with cashmere blankets, fireplaces, underfloor heating, thick lime-plastered walls, a wood-burning Aga stove in the kitchen/dining area at 20 Bath, and homemade liqueurs such as limoncello, vin d’orange and kumquatcelle from the courtyard orchard. There are magical gardens to explore and farm-dam-style pools to dip in, but you’re also a short walk from the town’s attractions.

The lodgings

• each house has 2 suites with four-poster beds (twin beds on request at 20 Bath Street) and a seating area
• ensuites with bateau baths
• lounges with fireplaces
• library with a desk (20 Bath Street)
• fully equipped chef’s kitchens
• private gardens and terraces with recliners
• outdoor dining tables

Things to do

• swimming pools at both houses
• walks in the gardens
• succulent greenhouse (20 Bath Street)

Good to know Breakfast is included; dinner on request prepared by a professional chef (minimum of 4 guests).
Child friendly? From 8 years old (younger if booking exclusive-use)
Pet friendly? Yes (30 Bath Street)
Wifi? Yes
Sleeps 2 per suite; 8 overall (exclusive use)
Cost From R3 800 per suite per night
Exclusive use: 20 Bath from R9 000 per night; 30 Bath from R8 500 per night
Where to find it 20 and 30 Bath Street, Montagu
CHECK AVAILABILITY + BOOK DIRECT

Middelpunt Branch

Setting Spaced far apart on a family fruit-and-vegetable farm surrounded by the Langeberg Mountains, two solar-powered cottages take in the picturesque views, fresh air and utter tranquillity. The interiors are simply, subtly luxurious and streamlined, with nothing superfluous or distracting. The “art” on the walls comes from windows framing natural landscapes, including from the shower. The daily rituals of rural relaxation can be enjoyed at dining tables indoors and out, beside the braai fire and in the perfectly positioned hot tub.

The lodgings

• Salt Cottage: 1 bedroom (queen bed)
• Pepper Cottage: 2 bedrooms (queen beds) + sleeper couch
• bathroom with spacious showers and double basins
• fully equipped kitchenette with gas stove
• indoor braai/fireplace, plus outdoor braai at Pepper Cottage
• dining tables in kitchen and on patio
• lounge in Pepper Cottage
• verandah with hot tub
• remote-controlled window blinds

Things to do

• swimming and fishing in the dam (at Pepper Cottage)
• picnicking
• hot-tubbing
• farm walks and hikes
• mountain-biking nearby

Good to know There is a minimum 2-night stay.
Child friendly? Yes, in Pepper Cottage
Pet friendly? Yes, small dogs
Wifi? Yes
Sleeps 2 or  4 + 2 kids
Cost Salt Cottage from R2 600 per night
Pepper Cottage from R3 200 per night
Where to find it Klaasvoogds West Road, off the R60, 11km from Robertson
CHECK AVAILABILITY + BOOK PEPPER COTTAGE
CHECK AVAILABILITY + BOOK SALT COTTAGE

The Black House

Setting A Victorian house in the heart of Robertson has undergone an eye-catching transformation into a captivating holiday home. An art and design-lover’s delight, antiques, Art Deco, Africana and contemporary pieces create a rich ambience to cosy into. If the interiors are gorgeous – think four-poster beds, textured wallpaper, chandeliers, pressed ceilings, indulgent bathrooms – the outdoor living area is perfect: a lush garden courtyard with an oversized couch, sun loungers, a fairylit dining table and braai fireplace beside a plunge pool. The garden supplies gifts like fresh fruit for breakfast and a lemon meringue pie to welcome you. It’s relaxed, blissful and generously hosted by Els Deschouwer (who also owns a boutique hotel in Sea Point, Cape Town).

The lodgings

• 3 bedrooms (one king bed, one queen bed, three ¾ beds)
• 2 bathrooms with Victorian bath, double walk-in shower + outdoor shower
• fully equipped kitchen
• lounge and dining area with fireplace
• furnished verandah with dining table
• braai area
• satellite TV and sound system

Things to do

• swimming
• cooking, dining and braaiing (large selection of cookbooks)
• boardgames in front of the fireplace

Good to know A daily cleaning service can be arranged.
Child friendly? Yes
Pet friendly? Yes (maximum 2 dogs)
Wifi? Yes
Sleeps 7
Cost From R4 500 per night (minimum two-night stay)
Where to find it Le Roux Street, Robertson
MAKE A RESERVATION

AfriCamps at Pat Busch

Setting This glamping camp is situated in a 2 000-hectare nature reserve, a lush paradise of forests, streams, dams, kloofs and a variety of flora and fauna (including Nguni cows, deer and over 100 bird species). The boutique tents are positioned on a slope in a hidden valley, so from your elevated deck you’ll be looking out over spectacular fynbos and the Langeberg Mountains, with a glistening dam two minutes’ walk away – all yours to enjoy at leisure. It’s the perfect place to introduce children to nature’s playground, from mucking about in canoes or fishing to exploring on foot or two wheels, and campfire bonding under the stars.

The lodgings

• 10 two-bedroom tents
• 2 extra-length queen beds, one with a kids’ bunk bed above it
• bathroom with rainshower
• fully equipped kitchen with gas stove
• indoor dining and seating
• fireplace
• furnished deck with braai
• air-conditioning
• cook-your-own breakfast and braai baskets delivered (additional charge)

Things to do

• three hiking trails onsite
• dam for swimming and paddling (canoes and SUPs supplied)
• catch-and-release fishing (BYO tackle)
• saltwater swimming pool (with loungers, lawn and shade)
• biking on farm roads (plus MTB trails nearby, and bike rental)
• birdwatching

Good to know There is a shop onsite for basic necessities. Look out for the single-parent specials (child stays free), pensioner specials, and 15% off midweek stays.
Child friendly? Yes
Pet friendly? No
Wifi? Yes (cellphone signal limited)
Sleeps 5 per tent
Cost From R1 590 per night for two adults
R395 per extra adult; R295 per child (up to 16 years)
Where to find it Pat Busch Mountain Reserve, Bergendal Road, Klaasvoogds West
CHECK AVAILABILITY + BOOK DIRECT

Things To Do In Robertson

• Wine-tastings: start with Graham Beck, Silverthorn, Rietvallei, Springfield, Arendsig, Van Loveren and Weltevrede (where you can bottle your own cap classique). Or blend your own wine at Excelsior.
• Celebrate all things olive at Marbrin.
• A river cruise (with a picnic and wine lunch on board) at Viljoensdrift.
• Visit Owl’s Rest lavender farm and essential oil distillery.
• Drink something different at Saggy Stone Craft Brewery.
• Explore Sheilam Cactus Garden.
• Ride through the valley with Robertson Horse Adventures.
• Take a vintage steam-train trip on the New Cape Cape Central Railway (Saturdays).

You might also be interested in:
The Hidden Gems of the Robertson Wine Valley
The Top Places to Stay in Montagu
The Must-Visit Wine Farms of the Breedekloof Valley

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