Accommodation / Ten (10) to Inspire / Western Cape

Best Places to Stay in the Overberg – Head Over the Mountains

Updated Friday, 15 March 2024

The best places to stay in the Overberg … You may hear the Overberg region of South Africa, just east of the best accommodation in Cape Town and over the mountains, described as the gateway to the Garden Route.

But youโ€™d be remiss if you think this makes the Overberg undeserved, or any less beautiful, than its counterpart further up the east coast.

For the Overberg is wheat fields, blue-crane filled, blue skied and heady with the smells and sounds of the outdoors, small-town living, and seaside romance.

If youโ€™re not staying on a mountain enfolded farm in restored dairies and barns then youโ€™re heading for pebble strewn beaches, cliffside homes, guest houses with views or self-catering villas decorated with care.

Thereโ€™s little amongst these best places to stay in the Overberg that doesnโ€™t delight…

Scour our list of best places to stay in the Overberg, and youโ€™ll understand why Capetonians are as in-love with the region as they areโ€ฆ

The best places to stay in the Overberg …

Haes Farm, Stanford

This 40 hectare fynbos estate just outside the weekend town of Stanford offers a modern rendition of farm living in two double bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms.

Even the communal spaces in this best places to stay in the Overberg hold an appeal – leather couches, modern art and the invitation to sit awhile.

Haes Farm, Stanford - The best places to stay in the Overberg

Karoo Art Hotel, Barrydale

This offbeat hotel just off the main drag of Barrydale on Route 62, the Langeberg your backdrop, is difficult to pass over.

This funky hotel works perfectly for bigger gatherings as there are only 15 rooms.

Karoo Art Hotel, Barrydale

Restio River House, Pringle Bay

This simply โ€˜wowโ€™ contemporary retreat in Pringle Bay lies on the Buffels River with both mountain and sea views – youโ€™re only a few minutesโ€™ walk from the beach.

And thereโ€™s no-one, or no-thing, in sightโ€ฆ

Restio River House, Pringle Bay

Arumvale, Swellendam

Choose from a rustic or garden cottage, or a beautiful suite, on this farmstay in the Heritage Valley a short walk from the village of Swellendam.

The gardens and views alone are worth a stay, but youโ€™ll love the fine touches of the dรฉcor as well.

Arumvale, Swellendam

The Bay Cottage, Pringle Bay

Itโ€™s the carefully planned living spaces of this poolside two-bedroom cottage (perfect for parents with teens), and its incredible views of mountains and surrounding village, that make Bay Cottage one of the best places to stay in the Overberg.

Find it in Pringle Bay …

The Bay Cottage, Pringle Bay

La Petite Baleine, De Kelders

This self-catering house in De Kelders overlooks Walker Bay giving you sweeping views of ocean across an infinity patio swimming pool.

It sleeps up to eight people, has three bathrooms, and is perfect for whale watching during the season.

La Petite Baleine, De Kelders

Old Mac Daddy, Elgin

Old Mac Daddy wins our Most Unique Accommodation in the Cape Overberg award for its funky dรฉcor and unusual sleeping arrangements (trailer hotel).

It isnโ€™t difficult to see why this could be a novel way to experience the Overberg and why it is so popular with our guests.

Old Mac Daddy, Elgin

Wildekrans Country House, Elgin

In true country-style romance, Wildekrans wows with its historic 1811 homestead, rambling garden and close-up views of the Houw Hoek mountains.

Wildekrans make their own wines and olive oil, which they enjoy sharing with their guests.

Wildekrans Country House, Elgin

Romans Villa, Gansbaai

Perched up on the fynbos-clad hills overlooking Walker Bay is this six-bedroom villa in Gansbaai.

Designed over three levels, provides you with some of the most incredible views of both ocean and mountain in the country…

Romans Villa, Gansbaai

Stay at Friends, Bettyโ€™s Bay

Stay at this beautiful Bettys Bay guesthouse where it lies tucked in between the mountains and the sea, surrounded on all sides by fynbos, overlooking Blesberg Dunes, the beach only minutes away.

Thereโ€™s even a honeymoon suite, or a self-catering apartment, both of which have access to the swimming pool.

Stay at Friends, Bettyโ€™s Bay

A Log Home, Swellendam

This green tin-roof clad best places to stay in the Overberg at Buffalo Creek is indeed a log home sleeping eight in four bedrooms.

But youโ€™re not going to care what the house is if youโ€™re after a bit of tranquil – just get an eyeful of those views!

A Log Home, Swellendam

Beaumont Family Wine, Botrivier

There are a couple of historical farm cottages on this wine farm with generous stoeps, cosy kitchens and wood-burning stoves, and incredible vistas.

This farm does โ€˜pretty farm stayโ€™ the way youโ€™d expect from best places to stay in the Overberg.

Beaumont Family Wine, Botrivier

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