Hawksmoor House, Nr Stellenbosch, South Africa - Explore & Book
"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, in-room massages and lazy sundowners. 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 If you want a change from the onsite restaurant you'll have to drive out, but there are plenty of good restaurants in the area and their 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" - Aidan Forestier-Walker
