In-love with gables, white-washed walls, dark thatch, sturdy front doors with a window above, evenly spaced windows and T, H and U-shaped house design?
The Cape Dutch house is one of the most sought-after designs for homes in the Western Cape.
And itโs not easy to find an original that dates back to the time the Dutch colonised the Cape. Even fewer retain their thatched roof – theyโre an obvious fire hazard.
We are as much in-love with the Cape Dutch house style as the next person, and weโve selected a handful in which you can stay, when you next visit the Western Cape:
Welrevreden Residence in Stellenbosch
Set at the foot of the Simonsberg Mountain in Stellenbosch, the historical Weltevreden Retief Residence offers elegant accommodation and a restaurant. Stellenbosch city center is about 5kms away and Cape Town is about 38kms from Weltevreden Estate.
Fitted with period furniture and representative of South African art Christo Coetzee (paintings) and Ruhan Janse van Vuuren (statues), the exquisitely refurbished Manor House at Weltevreden offers guest accommodation at a world-class standard.
Basse Provence Country House
Located in Franschhoek and set in amongst oak trees that are at least 300 years old, this retreat lies on an historic Cape Dutch wine farm.
Nine en-suite rooms offer a variety of accommodation options, but the secluded garden cottage, and two bedroom cottage, are what caught our eye.
The view: vines as far as the eye can see, with vast mountains as the backdrop.
Wittedrift Manor House
Other than Stellenbosch, youโre not going to find another village centre quite as Cape Dutch(ified) as Tulbagh. Wittedrift Manor House is an impressive Cape Dutch style house in Tulbagh.
From here you are ideally located close to restaurants, shops, museums and a host of attractions and activities. While here you can expect a warm friendly welcome and fabulous service.
Hawksmoor House
The meticulously restored Cape Dutch country manor house, on a 220-hectare wine farm close to Stellenbosch, is one of a series of restored buildings (the others are the slave quarters, dairy and a farmhouse).
Offering 15 elegantly decorated suites all alive with antiques and beautiful fabrics, around a central pool, ornamental pond, a series of gardens (including vegetable and herb garden), shaded verandas, and views of the mountains.
Webersburg in Stellenbosch
This elegantly restored Cape Dutch homestead is also on the grounds of a boutique winery, on the slopes of the Helderberg Mountains.
An original Cape Dutch house dating back to 1786, the Manor House and Jonkershuis offer 10 suites that maintain the historical feel with antique decor, gilded mirrors, plush couches and fine linen.
Winter or summer, this is a wonderful option.
Rijks Wine Estate & Hotel
Spoil yourself. Set on a working wine farm and surrounded by the Witzenberg and Winterhoek mountains, Rijk’s Wine Estate and Hotel offers a relaxing, tranquil and romantic ambience. It’s all about food, wine and relaxing pleasure.
Enjoy elegant modern styled rooms with uninterrupted views over the Witzenberg mountains and majestic Tulbagh valley.
Relax around our new chemical free Ecopool, and dine in our superb restaurant. It doesn’t get better!
Spier Hotel
Village-style buildings, lush green lawns and spacious rooms situated next to the calming Eerste River are the defining characteristics of the 4 star Spier Hotel.
The Spier Hotel is situated on the historic Spier wine farm in the heart of the Stellenbosch Winelands, just 20 minutes from Cape Town International Airport.
Art is everywhere at Spier, from inside your hotel room to the grounds and gardens. Discover a diverse range of works from one of the country’s largest collections of contemporary South African art.
Lanzerac Hotel
As you enter Lanzerac through its majestic Oak-lined driveway, you can almost feel time slow down and history settle around you. With 330 years behind its name, this Stellenbosch landmark boasts an old-world charm that is an unrivalled drawcard for day visitors and hotel guests alike.
And thanks to an extensive refurbishment, the elegant Estate can lay claim to the best of both worlds โ contemporary, sophisticated facilities, coupled with rich, Cape heritage.
See more Cape Dutch Houses when you book Cape Winelands hotels or accommodation and see our article about Cape Dutch Architecture
