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4.5
#1 of 11 hotels in Oudtshoorn
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Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Swartberg Country Manor is nestled on the farm "Voorbedacht" situated in the Cango Valley at the foot of the world-renowned Swartberg Pass. The picturesque panoramic view of the Swartberg Mountains will bring comfort to anyone that wants to "get away from it all" and simply soak up the peace of its tranquil surroundings.The farm was purchased in 2003 and welcomed its first guests in February 2005. The extraordinary views of the Swartberg Mountain from the veranda of the original farmhouse compelled us to create a venue where more people could share in the tranquillity and serenity of this beautiful valley."Voorbedacht" farm is a working farm, which offers our guests the unique opportunity to explore and experience the true essence of subsistence farming in the Little Karoo. Among the various agricultural products farmed, we also farm livestock such as, cattle, sheep and ostriches. Daily walks on the farm allow guests to experience the peace and serenity of this beautiful valley, while for the more "wild at heart"; mountain bikes are available to explore the more rugged terrain.
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
HOTEL STYLE
Charming
Classic
Languages Spoken
English, Afrikaans
Location
Farm Voorbedacht Matjiesrivier, Oudtshoorn 01312 South Africa
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Nestled in a serene landscape, Swartberg Country Manor captivates guests with its tranquil atmosphere and stunning views, often lauded for the hotel's cleanliness and well-maintained charm. While the value proposition receives mixed reviews due to differing opinions on pricing, the spacious and comfortable rooms, combined with the exceptional service from attentive staff, generally leave a lasting impression.
Patat Restaurant's dining experience and amenities like the pristine pool come highly recommended, contributing to the overall peaceful and picturesque stay.
Location
Picturesque
Atmosphere
Tranquil
Rooms
Comfortable
Value
Expensive
Cleanliness
Pristine
Service
Attentive
Amenities
Well-appointed
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When you arrive at the Swartberg Country Manor you are greeted by their two resident ostriches at the farm gate - a male and female with their chicks. The view is just spectacular of the Swartberg Mountains and the gardens are immaculate. We stayed in a little cottage with our kids which was quite private but there is also a beautiful manor house on the property. We had breakfast, lunch, and dinner in their restaurant 'Patat', and chef Pierre Basson served up the most amazing dishes. The night we arrived we had incredible lamb stew and during our stay, the kids ordered a pizza which he customized so that one half was theirs and the other half ours. We also had a picnic on the lawn that was set up for us (i would recommend this if you have kids and weather permitting) as the view is just spectacular. If you have time wander around the property and visit the veggie garden.
The location is also excellent as it's very close to the Cango Caves which we visited and I would highly recommend it.
This was Karoo-style hospitality like no other!! Thanks, Swartberg Team for making our stay lovely. Lara, Niel, and the boys.
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Date of stay: April 2022
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Location
Service
Room Tip:Excellent Location and beautiful setting!
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Check in was easy and convenient. The receptionist was warm and welcoming and made you feel right at home. The grounds work and landscaping is impeccable. The setting is serene and calming, true country living. The room was clean, well-kitted, stylishly decorated and spacious. The clear blue pool is most welcoming in Karoo weather. The dinner menu is well thought out with two set menus for vegetarians and carnivores, with various options for each course. Each course is delicious and beautifully plated. Veggies are picked freshly from the garden for each meal. Every staff member we encountered was friendly and helpful. The owners are on sight, ensuring a tight ship and keeping service levels elevated. We would definitely recommend this property to friends and family and will return for sure.
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Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: November 2020
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
A lot to digest? Read an AI-generated summary of recent traveller reviews.
Only had one night here whilst on an organised tour, but wish we could have stayed longer. Everything about this hotel is special, from the rooms, the views, the smiling staff who can’t do enough, to the spectacular food and value for money. Our room had a fantastic view of the tobacco fields and mountains and we loved the dining and drinks area. Clean and large rooms with good bathrooms and showers. Yes, loadshedding is an issue, but not the be all and end all when you have this setting! Just relax it’s the perfect place to do just that. We had some fabulous meals whilst touring SA but the one meal I had here, was definitely my favourite, the beetroot, strawberry and feta salad followed by ostrich steak, finished off with beautiful panna cotta, delicious. Wholeheartedly recommend, you will miss a trick if you don’t stay here.
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Date of stay: February 2023
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Room Tip:Room no 2 was a fabulous view
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We stayed at Swartberg Country Manor for two nights early December. The gardens are well maintained and it offers beautiful scenery and an exquisite setting but the lodge itself is slightly dated (especially the bathrooms in the main house) and not quite as depicted on website pictures. It is also worth noting that the property is located in an isolated area in the Swartberg so when it rains for example there is not much to do at the actual lodge but one can drive to attractions like the Cango Caves and Oudtshoorn etc. The property has a lovely restaurant with good food options although small and limited menu. At R2000 per night we were disappointed with the accommodation (which included a good breakfast) but it was clean and Covid protocols were good. Lovely pool to use if weather allows. Managers of the property are extremely kind and helpful but could pay closer attention to detail eg. geyser for our room wasn’t switched on when we arrived, ceiling leaked during rainy weather etc. The lodge does offer solitude and a complete respite from city life but one night would have sufficed.
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Date of stay: December 2020Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This was one interesting experience! The place is easy to find and is in an idyllic tranquil setting with amazing mountain views. We were allocated the Honeymoon Suite and that’s when it got ‘interesting’. I’m pretty sure that to qualify as a suite you need to have more than one room. However this self contained cottage consisted of one, not especially spacious, room. The toilet/bath/basin area is separated by a half height, half width wall. I suppose honeymooners may be ok with the lack of privacy however, even after nearly 50 years of marriage, we found it a bit strange! Where’s the shower you may ask? Well that’s outside on the patio! In fairness it does have a screen of sorts and the nearest overlooking property must be half a mile away. In fact it was actually fun using the shower but would be less so on a cold day. There is also a hot tub on the patio but to operate this you have to light a wood burner to heat it so we deemed it not worth the faff. The restaurant was good for both dinner and breakfast and the service friendly and efficient. From the outside, the other available accommodation looked more conventional so my recommendation would be to steer clear of the honeymoon ‘suite’.
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Date of stay: March 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Our long awaited family getaway culminated on New Year's eve as well as on New Years Day, and we were NOT dissapointed. Nestled against the spectacular Swartberg Mountain, on a working farm, it had ALL you could wish for! Beautiful accomodation, gorgeous pool and restaurant "Patat" (with a veranda to DIE for) dishing up food that you would wish to eat on your last day on earth.... The best thing about Swartberg Country Manor is their hosts (friends!) Riaan and Leoni and of course the rest of the competant and very friendly staff!
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Date of stay: January 2021Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The Manor is the perfect place to sit back and relax, with stunning views and amazing service. When the Karoo gets too hot there’s a pristine pool to cool off in or even just relax next to. I thoroughly enjoyed the 3km walking route that featured a variety of birds and other small creatures. The linens were lovely and fresh and the room decor was light and refreshing. The food was to die for, breakfast was a cold buffet with a design your own warm breakfast. Dinner was a delicious 3 course meal with a choice between 2 starters, 3 mains and 2 desserts. If you are seeking some adventure the manor is not farm from a bunch of activities including the Cango Caves. It really is a piece of paradise.
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Date of stay: January 2024
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled with family
Room Tip:In summer it gets very warm, book a room with an aircon.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Swartberg Country Manor offers an enchanting retreat nestled at the base of the majestic Swartberg mountains. The picturesque surroundings create a tranquil ambiance, making it an ideal escape from the hustle and bustle. The well-appointed rooms boast breathtaking views, and the attentive staff goes above and beyond to ensure a memorable stay. The on-site restaurant serves delectable cuisine, showcasing local flavors. Whether you're seeking relaxation or adventure, this hidden gem provides the perfect blend of comfort and natural beauty. Highly recommended for a rejuvenating getaway.
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Date of stay: February 2024Trip type: Travelled on business
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wow, what an amazing getaway. To begin the view of the Swartberg Mountains driving from Oudtshoorn was just stunning. Arriving at the SCM, we were greeted by very warm and friendly staff and booked into the main manor house. Our room was comfortable and cozy and we enjoyed making some coffee/tea and sitting on the porch while we looked out over the mountain views.
We went for a beautiful walk up to the waterfalls and some dams which was spectacular and the flocks of sheep and wildlife in the area added to the enjoyment.
We topped our trip off with a delicious dinner at the Patat restaurant and woke up to one of the best breakfasts I can highly recommend.
We'll be back for round two soon.
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Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: June 2023
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Beautiful spacious rooms in a picturesque setting. Food is tops, the staff are all friendly and efficient. The restaurant is open to the public, however bookings are needed for dinner. This venue is only 50km from Oudtshoorn towards the Swartberg pass on a good accessable road. I can definitely recommend a visit.
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Date of stay: February 2024Trip type: Travelled on business
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Swarbert C Manor, General Manager at Swartberg Country Manor
Responded 04 Feb 2024
Thank you so much for your support and visit. We hope to see you soon.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Cape Town Central, South Africa148 contributions21 helpful votes
I remember the Lodge mentioning that dogs are allowed at the cottages. Perhaps ask them directly on 044 279 3188 The Lodge is on the Cango Caves side of Oudtshoorn. Roughly 30 minutes on a leisurely drive - absolutely worth it!
There are more places to choose from in the Oudtshoorn area.
PRICE RANGE
R 2,290 - R 2,627 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
swartberg country manor oudtshoorn
LOCATION
South AfricaWestern CapeOudtshoorn
NUMBER OF ROOMS
26
Prices are provided by our partners, and reflect average nightly room rates, including taxes and fees that are fixed, known to our partners, and due at time of booking. Please see our partners for more details.
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