So you've arrived in Cape Town but can't decide whether to head straight for the Winelands or enjoy the city. Hawksmoor lets you have your cake and eat it. This 300-year-old Cape Dutch homestead is on the edge of the Winelands, just 15 minutes' drive from Stellenbosch but close enough to Cape Town for you to nip back to the city. If you stay, you can relax in style: inside there are fine antiques, while outside on the veranda white muslin curtains waft in the breeze. Beautifully peaceful, we keep on returning here to start our South African stays.
There's a sense of living in a different era here but it's far from fusty: arriving through the farm-style kitchen with its Aga stove and shiny copper pots, you immediately feel at home. The 16 inviting rooms are found in four buildings (former farm outhouses) set around the historic 'werf', beautiful flowering gardens and reflection pond. All have contemporary touches with silver-painted bedposts and old chairs covered with funky fabrics. It may be a working farm but think pretty dappled lawns shaded by oaks and jacarandas, a pool and lazy sundowners.
Hawksmoor House
near Stellenbosch, Cape Winelands & West Coast, South Africa
Highs
- Wonderfully peaceful with a relaxed make-yourself-at-home ambiance made more enjoyable by the large comfortable rooms that successfully mix old and new
- Good location for both the Winelands and Cape Town (a 40-minute drive)
- Very helpful and knowledgeable managers, who make great efforts to train disadvantaged locals to a high standard
- If you like dogs, their German pointers, Grace, Virginie and Jack, are never far away
- The view from the veranda: a great place to watch some stunning sunsets with Table Mountain in the distance
Lows
- Breakfast is the only meal served and you'll have to drive out for lunch and dinner, but there are plenty of good restaurants in the area and staff recommendations are excellent
- Be prepared to take breakfast with other guests at one long table, but for us this was enjoyable
- In-room tech is limited to WiFi (no TVs or phones), but this can be a real joy for many
- No kids under 12 allowed and no extra beds - it's best suited to couples
Best time to go
Our top tips
Try to stay for 2-4 nights. This gives you the chance to check out a couple of local wineries, relax at the farm and have a couple of really good meals at some of the restaurants in the area. Be sure to make dinner reservations well in advance.
- Boutique Guesthouse
- 16 rooms
- Breakfast only
- Children over 12 only
- Open all year
- Outdoor Pool
- Spa Treatments
- Beach nearby
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Car recommended
- Parking
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
Rooms
The 16 bedrooms are spread between the main house and three converted outhouses. Each room is different but all are beautifully furnished with fine antiques, contemporary touches and comfy beds dressed with crisp linen. Expect slick basins and armchairs re-upholstered with fresh new fabrics; we particularly like the outhouse rooms with their clean lines, great views and fine finishes.
Our favourites were the bright and airy Superior Rooms, with their spacious bathrooms and relaxing terraces. We also had a quick peek at one of the Luxury Rooms which was fresh and chic, with doors opening out to the gardens (others have garden views only).
Featuring an open-plan kitchen, living room and dining space, the Edge House Two-Bedroom Villa has large French windows, as well as access to a sunny courtyard.
All rooms have digital safes, WiFi, hairdryers and complimentary toiletries; some rooms have underfloor heating. There are no TVs.
Features include:
- Central heating
- Coffee / tea making
- Fan
- Hairdryer
- Safe box
- Toiletries
- WiFi
Eating
Taken inside or on the pretty veranda, a light continental breakfast is served at a long wooden table overlooking the rose and lavender gardens. Expect a healthy array of juices, granolas, creamy yoghurts and fresh fruit, plus homemade jams and toast. Bear in mind that the Edge House Villa has its own kitchen and is booked on an accommodation-only basis.
There's a cosy sitting room with an honesty bar: help yourself to a glass of their crisp Chenin Blanc and watch the sunset from the veranda. Staff will happily make you a pot of tea (ask for the fresh mint brew), served on a silver tray with locally baked biscuits.
For other meals, you will have to venture out in the car. Make sure you book well in advance as it can be difficult to get into the best restaurants (Hawksmoor staff are very good at making suggestions and reservations). We like the award-winning Terroir (on the Kleine Zalze wine estate), 96 Winery Rd (rustic and famed for their steaks) and Tokara (innovative cuisine and amazing views).
Features include:
- Breakfast
- Honesty bar
Activities
- Stellenbosch (15 minutes' drive) is the second-oldest town in South Africa (after Cape Town) and also one of the best preserved, with pretty buildings and a renowned university. It's the liveliest of the Cape Winelands towns with some good restaurants, bars, shops, galleries, and a great farmer's market on Saturdays.
- Go wine-tasting: the wine routes of Stellenbosch, Franschhoek and Paarl are all within easy driving distance. Must-visit estates for sheer beauty include Zevenwacht, Vergelegen and Boschendal, where there's a lovely park for picnics. Other top vineyards include Thelema, Tokara (fabulous views) and L'Avenir (wine buffs should invest in a copy of Platter's annual guide to South African wines). Wine aside, the mountain scenery is beautiful and the drive over the pass between Stellenbosch and Franschhoek is stunning
- Head to Cape Town: (40 minutes' drive). There are too many options to mention here, but one recommendation for Saturdays is to check out the weekly Woodstock farmer's market - it's housed in a restored Victorian warehouse in "Old Biscuit Mill". Local foodies flock here for the artisan breads, charcuterie and freshly shucked oysters
- Staff are knowledgeable and can help plan itineraries - from hot-air ballooning to hiking, and wine-tasting to the theatre
- Kick back by the pool with a book and look out across the countryside towards Table Mountain: their bookshelves have some useful reference books on South Africa and the Winelands
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Hiking
- Historical sites
- Hot air ballooning
- Museums / galleries
- Shopping / markets
- Swimming
- Traditional cultures
- Well being
- Wine tasting
Kids
Hawksmoor House only accepts children aged over 12.
Family friendly accommodation:
The Self-Catering Cottage sleeps up to 4 in two ensuite bedrooms, and has its own kitchen. There are no extra beds.
Distances:
- Airport: 35 minutes
For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection
Location
Hawksmoor House is 20 minutes' drive from the centre of Stellenbosch, in South Africa's Winelands. It is about 40 minutes by car from the centre of Cape Town.
By Air:
Fly into Cape Town International (40km). Click on the links below for a list of airlines serving it.
From the Airport
The hotel can arrange a transfer (35 minutes), but we recommend hiring a car.
By Car:
You will probably want to drive around the area and explore. See our car rental recommendations.
Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.
More on getting to South Africa and getting around.
Airports:
- Cape Town International Airport 40.0 km CPT
Other:
- Beach 30.0 km
- Shops 5.0 km
- Restaurant 2.0 km
Need flights?
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Our guests' ratings...
Based on 1 independent review from i-escape guests