Intimate Escapes Western Cape
Who amongst us is not familiar with the plodding drone of domestic existence? We dreamed all our lives about meeting that “special someone,” only to end up squarely in the reality of bills, chores, parenting, and work stress. These facts of life sadly leave very little time for us to simply enjoy one another.
This article is not a fix it for relationships, though. It’s simply pointing you in the direction of a handful of very magical places where you can escape to rediscover one another. Take two days off – from everything – go away together…and see what happens next.
Below are my top five most romantic getaways in Western Cape, in no particular
order.
1 - KolKol Mountain Lodge
First of all, if you want to experience KolKol, you must plan in advance – the six log cabins are fully booked up to six months in advance. Part of the appeal of KolKol lies in the story, so I’m going to share the cliff notes. Owner Rudi Oosthuyse was a Sports Science graduate who purchased a farm in the Overberg with several old pine trees. In a typical watershed moment, he just decided that he was going to use the trees to build several stylish log cabins. And so he did, just like that. With his own hands. So the cabins you stay in are handcrafted from the land upon which they reside. Seriously cool, if you ask me.
Now to the romance factor. Each cabin is fitted with a wood fired hot tub on a deck overlooking the Overberg Mountains with a nearby stream creating a quiet song. The interiors are rustic, yet well equipped, and the small scale design lends itself to getting cosy (if you know what I mean).
If you tire of luxuriating between the bath, the bed, and the hot tub (you probably won’t) – there is a beautiful waterfall walk on the farm, mountain biking, swimming, and nearby wine farms on offer.
2 - Numbi Valley
Before I launch into the many virtues of this intimate farm stay, it’s important to note that Numbi Valley is really rustic. The cottage is totally off the grid, which I feel ramps up the romance factor but if you enjoy more the champagne and oysters vibe, this wouldn’t be exactly ideal. But if you like a bit of an out of the ordinary experience, read on …
Numbi Valley is a tiny cottage situated on a permaculture farm near De Rust in the Karoo. The cottage oozes rustic charm, with a simple design that nonetheless includes everything you need to stay in for a few days – fully equipped kitchen, wood fired shower, a small lounge, and a very cosy bedroom. A private plunge pool and hammocks overlook an olive grove, inviting deep serenity.
The best part, however, is the top notch service. The owners of Numbi Valley managed a five-star safari lodge in East Africa for years, bringing an attention to detail to their guesthouse that is unrivalled in other local farm stays. Make sure you don’t miss out on the outdoor fire bath – lie for hours enjoying the starry sky from a candlelit bath replete with local herbs. An unforgettable experience, if you ask me….
3 - Papkuilsfontein
Who could resist a destination promoted by Greenwood Guides as “one of the most memorable places in South Africa"? Papkuilsfontein in Northern Cape is just that – one of my most memorable (and romantic) getaways.
Owner Mariette has clearly got style – she has attended to every last detail in the renovation of six historic stone cottages on her extensive farm. I just have to list some of them to make sure it’s clear all that’s on offer here: down duvets, 100% cotton bedding, an outdoor shower, a clawfoot tub, outdoor fire, fluffy fleece robes, antique closets, candles, toiletries, etc etc etc. Arriving here, one feels completely enveloped in nature with every simple luxury attended to. Step outside, and enjoy the vast wilderness or take a long hike to one of several waterfalls.
Perhaps the most romantic part is the glorious candlelit dinner on offer. Available on pre-order, the dinners are delivered by a team of staff who set the table, light the candles, and leave the lot in warm boxes for you and your loved one to enjoy alone, in the comfort of your temporary home. This allowed us to have a few days of reconnecting with one another while the little ones slept in the adjoining room. What could be better than that?
4 - La Cotte Honeymoon Cottage
Located a relatively short drive from Cape Town, Franschhoek is an ideal getaway for overwrought urbanites. With its selection of top notch restaurants, classy boutiques, and unspeakably beautiful walks, the valley also offers plenty to do together (see my Franschhoek Like a Local article).
If you are making the jaunt to Franschhoek for a romantic interlude, I definitely recommend a stay at the newly renovated La Cotte Forest Cottage. Architect and designer Dominic Touwen applied his charming touch to create an intimate and homey feel that still oozes class. Whether you are enjoying a glass of vino by the large fireplace, a leisurely picnic under the oak trees, or lounging on the outdoor daybed after a swim in the private plunge pool, you will feel spoiled for seclusion and romance at La Cotte.
5 - Treehouse Greyton
In my version of “romance,” Treehouse fits the bill perfectly. A small wooden staircase leads up to a private cabin built on stilts amongst the trees. A claw foot bathtub with floor to ceiling windows gives the feel of bathing in the midst of the forest, and the outdoor shower has beautiful mountain views. The small footprint (treeprint??) of the cottage is nicely conducive to intimacy, and when the two of you get bored of that, the quaint village of Greyton has some fantastic shops and galleries to peruse.