Stellenbosch South Africa is wine country. It’s the place for all things wine and more. You can try Brandy, chocolate, and great food. The city is great and a lot bigger than I imagined. However, the interesting thing about this place is their hotel options. They have a ton! But, the one I chose to sleep in happened to be an old prison, the De Hoek Manor!
A Stellenbosch South Africa Accommodation Review
… A hotel review with an overview of Stellenbosch. The hotel is De Hoek Manor, it seems this hotel rents out different rooms in different buildings. This means there’s a chance you won’t get the prison house, as I’m calling it.
The name of the building is Rozenhof. It’s not attached to the reception/check-in area. It’s around the corner from their actual address.
The Stellenbosch South Africa streets remind me of something out of John Carpenters ‘In the Mouth of Madness’ or something. Perhaps I’ve just seen way too many scary movies where quaint little towns are home to Satan’s menacing children.
I should make something clear, there are no menacing deformed children here. It’s just my wild imagination at work.
Rozenhof House
Upon entering the double-locked gates with barb wire and picket spike fencing. I thought it felt a little like a prison. One can’t be too sure.
The courtyard has a beautiful garden! I can’t think of any prison that has a beautiful courtyard like this. The front door is also double-locked and secured. Weird, I thought. It opens to a wide and institutional-looking foyer. It looks old but I can’t place my finger on it. Perhaps I’m being paranoid.
On the other hand, the concierge was paranoid about leaving her post so she had the maid take us to our room. It was slightly peculiar.
Upon walking up the stairs from the foyer, we entered another door. This is our enormous apartment. We unlock it, only to re-lock it from the inside.
The living room is gigantic. A couple of seats and a sofa to go along with the TV area. It has a long wooden dining table and several doors leading to balconies. Each balcony overlooks the beautiful garden.
The decor is lovely. The maid shows us the guest restroom. There’s a kitchen, a laundry room, and a long hallway with about 4 rooms. Each room consists of a Queen size bed, some have balconies others don’t. Private restrooms in each.
I’m confused. This place is too big! It’s bigger than my apartment back home! I asked the maid if we’re sharing this place with other people. There’s no way this is just for us.
The maid then told us that we’re sharing with one person who is staying in the room across from us and another couple that is arriving today.
In other words, it’s a hotel within a hotel within a hotel? With all these locking mechanisms I’m surprised I didn’t lock myself out, or in for that matter.
The place is beautiful and stunning. Although, I wish they would’ve told us we’re actually sharing a place before we booked. At around $300 USD per night, they should tell you.
The other weird thing is the restroom inside our room. It was gorgeous and modern. But, it did not have a door. I don’t know about you, but even though I love my partner, I still don’t want to see him take a dump. Maybe that’s just me. Is it? Do you feel the same?
Only after roaming the streets one day and leaving the prison did we read the plaque on the wall of Rozenhof confirming this is the first prison in the area.
I new it felt like an odd space!
Stellenbosch South Africa and What to Expect
Stellenbosch South Africa is also a University town in the heart of the wine country. In city is quite big. It’s not New York City but it’s big enough to have everything you’re looking for.
There’s a mall and plenty of bars, restaurants, ice cream shops and art stores to go around. Apart from this, you’ll find plenty of souvenir shops and cafes to chill in. It’s like spending a day in a great New England university town.
The only thing I can complain about is how I felt like the only person of color in most parts of town. The closer you got to the university the more people of color I saw.
Restaurants and smaller wineries offer tastings of your choice. In fact, while I was here I decided to try two tastings and several restaurants.
I can’t believe how incredible the food in this city is. I am stunned. The meats, the game, everything is amazing.
I had Kudu carpaccio at one point… I swear my taste buds exploded with happiness.
The Liquor!
I had a Brandy and chocolate pairing and a wine tasting.
The Brandy tasting is the best. It’s located at Van Ryn’s Distillery and Brandy Cellar. They pair three different chocolates with different aged Brandy’s. They teach you how to savor it together. It’s honestly, not as pretentious as it sounds.
You bite the chocolate and without swallowing, you take a swig of the Brandy. You essentially marry the flavors to get one bold concoction. It’s so fun!
To top it off the Brandy distillery is so beautiful and elegant and old! It’s very atmospheric.
Let Me Break It Down For You:
South Africa has tons to do. I hope these last reviews give you a sense of what to expect.
Stellenbosch South Africa is a great getaway.
De Hoek Manor is a weird hotel but honestly it was extremely nice.
It was about $300 per night (too much if you ask me.)
We only stayed one night but I thought one night was enough.
It’s a university town with everything you can find in a big city.
Do I recommend it? Yes. Check it out. It’s worth a day trip or even a weekend getaway.
Check out my other South Africa reviews:
— Cape Town Overview,
— Camps Bay Overview,
— Boulders beach and Cape of Good Hope attractions,
— Table Mountain and all you need to know,
— Seeing the city from the sky in a helicopter,
— A little Folklore from South Africa,
— Thins you might consider doing that I definitely didn’t!
Go to South Africa and enjoy it as much as I did!
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