Schoone Oordt Country House

Gracious and Charming Country Hotel with a passion for people

Rated 9.4 in 341 reviews. 11 rooms.

★★★★★

Schoone Oordt Country House is one of the top boutique hotels in Swellendam South Africa, possibly the best of Swellendam accommodation and perfectly situated as the gateway to the Garden Route, only 2 hours from Cape Town.

With 10 luxury bedrooms set in lush gardens, an intimate Conservatory Restaurant, a sparkling saltwater pool and a passion for people, family, food, wine and the environment, our charming country hotel offers romantic & intimate as well as family friendly accommodation in Swellendam.

The emphasis here is on unpretentious unaffected luxury, elegance, quality, love and acute attention to detail and we aspire to make this evident in every aspect of your time with us. We do hope you feel as though you’re visiting with the best of friends.

What makes this hotel special?

There is something quite magical about this striking Victorian Manor House. She has been lovingly restored over many years by Richard and Alison Walker and is passionately run by Sonette and Wander (pronounced V-un-derr) Bester. As a result, she has been instilled with charm and grace and she adores welcoming guests.

Her extensive grounds house two standard and six luxury rooms, a quaint, private family cottage and a romantic and secluded honeymoon suite set in abundant gardens and sheltered by aged oak trees. Each luxury accommodation has conceded to every modern convenience whilst unique, restored (mostly by Richard) antiques, retain the Victorian feel of the Manor House and a bygone era.

The Manor House itself boasts the most exquisite light and airy conservatory, which Richard built in true English style, a cosy fire-lit bar and lounge, an intimate dining room and a typical country kitchen. The warmth of the original wooden floors, ceilings and doors coupled with many quirky antique pieces creates a wonderful welcoming ambience and guests are encouraged to ‘kuier’* here.

Meals are made with love and served with true Schoone Oordt flair and style. The freshest best quality produce from small local suppliers is sourced as organically and ethically as possible, as well as fresh herbs and occasional veggies from the garden. Breakfasts are traditionally a gourmet affair and our little country hotel has developed quite a reputation for them. Complimentary afternoon tea with home-baked savoury and sweet goodies is served overlooking the garden on sunny summer afternoons. In winter, complimentary snack platters and a warming welcome drink are offered on arrival. Intimate, delicious dinners are served in The Conservatory Restaurant where guests can enjoy a carefully prepared, sophisticated South African menu with wines sourced (by Sonette) from the celebrated verdant regions surrounding Swellendam; Robertson and Hermanus. Talented Chef Wander is well on his way to building The Conservatory Restaurant into one of the finest of Swellendam Restaurants.

Schoone Oordt Country House has been created with a vision for Swellendam weddings and special occasions. Choose from the intimate and private boardroom with views of the mountains, the sun-drenched conservatory overlooking the grounds or the cosy, slightly more formal dining room in the grand old house. She is truly an extraordinary venue for an exclusive occasion filled with laughter and love...

* Lovely Afrikaans word for visiting, drinking, eating, chatting, gossiping and enjoying time with people you love.

What makes the destination worth visiting?

The Swellendam area offers guests an abundance of activities. Hiking, horse-trails, bike-trails, watersports as well as visits to the nearby Nature Reserves are a must. A trip to the De Hoop Nature Reserve for seasonal whale watching cannot be missed, a short journey over the Tradouw’s Pass to Barrydale as well as a day trip wine-tasting in the Robertson Wine Valley. Along with a nine-hole golf course, quaint coffee shops, the renowned Drostdy museum, berry & lavender-picking, good restaurants and a feast of art, Swellendam spoils its visitors for choice.

Who is the typical guest at this hotel?

Ranges from local to international, from families to honeymooners and almost everybody inbetween.

Available Rooms

2 guests

Rooms

Adults

Children

Photos by guests

See all guest photos »

Recommended Nearby

A guide to great places near Schoone Oordt Country House

  1. La Belle Alliance

    Amazing amazing restaurant. Excellent on every level. The Garden is wonderful for an afternoon lunch.

    97 m from hotel

  2. Pennant Wing

    The Cake Theatre's an absolute must, great bakers.

    141 m from hotel
    5 Swellengrebel Street

  3. De Companjie

    Dinner is wholesome and scrumptious with an eclectic twist…. accompanied by local wines to round off a busy day of sightseeing . Try our famous free range pork, venison and beef, all fresh from our farm up north and sourced from the surrounding area. Our in-house chef uses only the best possible ingredients to guarantee top quality cuisine.

    184 m from hotel

  4. The Old Gaol

    ..then walk down to the river. The Breede runs red like rooibos and flanked by choatic greenery. Magical find

    272 m from hotel

  5. Bukkenburg Pottery Studio & Showroom

    Visit David & Felicity for their exquisite ceramic ware. From tiny decorative platters to massive pots, their work is made & fired on the spot with much love and passion.

    294 m from hotel

  6. Field and Fork

    Field & Fork derives its name from the culinary vision of bringing locally sourced quality produce from the field to your table. Chef and owner Francois du Rand, serves these ingredients with a great passion for food and a dash of French flair.

    371 m from hotel
    Swellendam

  7. Drostdy Museum

    Swellendam is the 3rd oldest town after Cape Town and Stellenbosch and this beautiful, well kept museum complex gives a peek into a bit of South African History... Voted best Museum in the Country!

    389 m from hotel

  8. Marloth Nature Reserve

    Right on the doorstep and perfect for hiking, biking and horse trails

    0.9 km from hotel

  9. Sulina Faerie Sanctuary

    “The Faerie-nuf Folk” invite you to become 5 years old again and tip-toe thru their natural enchanted forest garden…..become”positively lost” amongst the magical world of mushroom rings and wishing wells and experience the childlike essence of true wonderment and joyful happiness. This tiny tranquil paradise is the humble home of creative potters and sculptors, Ian and Minky Sulin…..and is shared with unconditional love to inspire and uplift everyone who enters the Sanctuary.

    1.4 km from hotel
    Swellendam

  10. Swellendam Golf Club

    With spectacular views of the Hermitage Valley, Swellendam's 9-hole golf course is a not-too-strenuous way to spend an afternoon or morning surrounded by nature.

    1.6 km from hotel

  11. Tredici

    Precisely half-way between the Garden Route and Cape Town. Great freshly brewed coffee, organic produce, great pizza's.

    1.6 km from hotel
    68 Somerset St.

  12. Wildebraam Liqueurs Cellars

    Located in the breathtaking Hermitage Valley, ideal spot for berry picking (and eating) in season... Their private cellar produces a range of delicious liqueurs including Youngberry, Honey, Aniseed, Rooibos, Peppermint, Lemon and Hazelnut. In addition , the farm kitchen produces a tempting array of liqueur-ed fruits, jams, dessert syrups, chutneys, relishes, pickles and gifts which can all be sampled and purchased in their "tasting room”.

    1.8 km from hotel

  13. La Sosta Restaurant

    Quite deservedly voted the Best Italian Restaurant in the country... Intimate, stylish, delicious, passionate, absolutely worth the trip to Swellendam

    1.8 km from hotel
    Voortrek street 145

  14. The Berry Farm - Hermitage Valley

    Great family friendly outing for tractor rides, paintballing (target shooting) and a maze. Also berry picking in season and jams/preserves to buy.

    2.4 km from hotel

  15. Bontebok National Park

    A small national park that has completely saved the Bontebok from extinction. Perfect spot for a picnic, small game viewing and a little paddling in the Breede River.

    4.9 km from hotel

  16. Rolandale Restaurant and Padstal

    This beats any road stop hands down any day stop here don't stop anywhere else

    7.2 km from hotel
    En route to Heidelberg

  17. Umshanti

    For canoeing, paddling, ziplining, microlighting and sunset barging on the Buffeljags Dam in beautiful surroundings.

    9.1 km from hotel

  18. Felix Unite Round The Bend Camp

    Day trip river rafting on the Breede River - great family fun!

    12.8 km from hotel
    Breede River