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4.5
#4 of 18 hotels in Stellenbosch
Location
Rooms
Value
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
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.
River Manor Boutique Hotel is located in the very heart of historic Stellenbosch within easy walking distance of the very many restaurants, galleries, shops and attractions that this beautiful oak tree-lined town has to offer. The hotel is housed in two adjacent manor houses and set in a truly magnificent, landscaped garden which boasts many quiet corners and two large pools with loungers. The interior of the hotel is breath-taking, impressively combining contemporary comfort and convenience with a flair for heritage design so fitting to these historic buildings. There are eighteen double guest rooms; each one designed to maximise space and light. All rooms have an impressive range of facilities including king size bed, ensuite bathroom, a laptop safe, plasma TV, free Wi-fi, air conditioning, and designer bathroom amenities. Included in the services offered are a 24-hour concierge, breakfast served until 11am every day, an all-day dining menu, in-house laundry, a bar, and Spa Treatments, either in the comfort of your room, or at the Zest Spa treatment room. River Manor Boutique Hotel is part of The Living Journey Collection and beautifully compliments The Tree House Boutique Hotel in Cape Town, Zest Boutique Hotel in Cape Town, Chapter House Boutique Hotel in Franschhoek, and One Marine Drive Boutique Hotel in Hermanus.
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
Residential Neighbourhood
Boutique
Languages Spoken
English, Afrikaans
Location
6-8 The Avenue, Stellenbosch 7600 South Africa
River Manor Boutique Hotel
407 reviews
Getting there
Good for walkers
Places to stay are graded on a 0-100 scale. The higher the grade, the easier it is for travellers to find restaurants and things to do within walking distance.
My partner and I had the pleasure of staying at this beautiful hotel, and we will definitely go back, the staff was the friendliest Iv seen, you can see they love their job.
The breakfast was freshly made each morning and very delicious. Our room was equipped with 2 masks and hand sanitizer when we arrived and a blotter of still/sparkling water for each of us. Each night when we got back from dinner our bed was prepared for us to sleep.
Our room was directly to the pool and I think we had the best view and it was great.
Thank you to Samantha and the team for the warm hospitality.
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Date of stay: January 2022Trip 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.
Response from Lorraine Schaefer, Owner at River Manor Boutique Hotel
Responded 23 Jan 2022
Dear Wanderer Thank you so much for taking the time to post such a wonderful review. We are so pleased that you enjoyed your time in Stellenbosch, and at River Manor Boutique Hotel. Our 'mask and sanitizer' welcome packs, all environmentally packed in paper, are a new addition and have been really well received, so I am delighted that you also appreciated this little touch. The team always loves great feedback, and you are right, they work hard and are passionate about showcasing the hotel. I have shared you comments with them and they are delighted. I am very happy to read that you would like to come back. Please so stay in touch and let us know when you are planning your next trip to Stellenbosch, we would love to welcome you back to River Manor, or indeed to another one of The Living Journey Collection in Cape Town, Franschhoek and Hermanus. Warm regards and all the best for a wonderful 2022. Lorraine
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We were only in town for 1 night but they made it very memorable. We needed to arrive early to drop our car and luggage off while we were doing a wine tour. They let us park in their safe driveway and watched our luggage for us. All of the staff were very professional. Check in was a breeze and the room and grounds were very beautiful. Tall ceilings in the room made the room feel huge. You get a free drink voucher, which we used while laying out by the pool. The breakfast in the morning was also a great touch because we were off to another wine region in the morning and it was nice getting a full stomach. Town with a bunch of restaurants were a very short walk away.
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Date of stay: February 2020
Rooms
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.
From the moment you arrive the hotel has a very classy feel. The interior is beautifully decorated and the historic features have been incorporated into a modern feel.
We arrived early and our room wasn't quite ready so we were given a complimentary glass of wine.
The hotel has two pools and a bar and the staff are always on hand to see to your every need. Breakfast has the usual buffet items but they will also cook whatever you require.
We were only here for two nights but had a wonderful relaxing stay. The thing that sets it apart most is the wonderful staff who simply cannot do enough for you.
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Date of stay: January 2020
Rooms
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.
Response from Lorraine Schaefer, Owner at River Manor Boutique Hotel
Responded 18 Oct 2021
Thank you Steve We are just reaching out to let you know that have re-opened again and would love to see you back at The River Manor Boutique Hotel, which is now part of The Living Journey Collection. Please do stay in touch. Warm regards Lorraine
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I usually stay somewhere else in Stellenbosch when I visit, but they were full. I was fortunate to get a room at River Manor. I am SO grateful that I have found this place. It was one of the best accommodation experiences I have ever had. The room was tasteful; elegant and spacious. The breakfasts were beautifully presented; tasty; and with little nuances of excellence. For example, honey served in a bowl with a honey 'spoon'. (The place I stayed at in Fish Hoek, leave you to fetch a plastic honey bottle from a condiments table). It's a small thing, but it typifies the excellence of River Manor. On my first night there, there was a turn down service, with a Sally Williams nougat on the pillow. On my arrival, before I had parked, Farentia (unsure of spelling) welcomed me in the parking area. Her discretion was exceptional. Not intrusive, but hospitable. Farentia's welcome, care and help was sustained throughout my stay - and I observed her being similarly kind to other guests. Remarkably though, Farentia's hospitality was not unique. All the staff, were gracious and helpful in their own way. In fact, on several occasions I nearly forgot to lock my room door - because the place felt so much like home; only a lot nicer! I went to Stellenbosch for a meeting, and to take a little time for reflection and quietness. The whole environment of River Manor provided a wonderful oasis - a quiet place; inviting pools; attractive surroundings. Exceptional excellence. I was so delighted by my experience, I tried to extend my stay. Samantha, who had made my original booking with such kindness, tried her best but the place was fully booked for the rest of the week. Finally, to say: Stellenbosch is a treat to visit. It is a very busy town, but River Manor is perfectly located to pop into town for a meal or a walk. My grateful thanks to the staff. I hope I can return one day soon.
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Date of stay: January 2020
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip 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.
We did a last minute booking on booking.com we specifically looked for hotels that gave us the option for a bath, this hotel came up with a full bathroom, we made the booking and payment only to find when we arrived that the superior room we booked only had a shower. The staff member that assisted us was arrogant and not helpful at all, when we asked for the manager details we where given the bookending ladies number. We eventually got through to the General Manager which told us that’s she’s our and frankly it’s not her problem as the hotel is fully booked and she’s take it up with booking.com - she was even so arrogant to suggest we book out. Very professional and very good service to your fellow South Africans!!!
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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.
Response from Lorraine Schaefer, Owner at River Manor Boutique Hotel
Responded 27 Mar 2023
Dear Sm Brashaw Thank you for your review. I have had a chance to look into your booking and to speak with the relevant staff members. Your booking was made for a room without a bath, as the hotel was full there was no way of changing your room at that point. I understand that you had some drinks in the garden, and that you were kept up to date on all steps along the way. When we are at an impasse like this, we often suggest finding an alternative elsewhere - in this case, finding you a room with a bath in another hotel. Meeting our guests' expectations is very important to us, so when faced not being able to give you bath, finding an alternative hotel which could give this feature which was clearly really important to you, seemed like a reasonable option. You chose not to move and to stay with the shower. It is regrettable that we could do nothing more for you. Like I say, pleasing our guests is the business we are in, and when this does not work, whether through a wrong booking, or from a mistake, it is always disappointing to us and our guest service team. Warm regards Lorraine
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Such a wonderful stay. On a chilly Stellenbosch evening it was lovely to sit by the open fire with a delicious glass of wine. We had enjoyed a late lunch in the winelands so the beautifully prepared cheese platter in our room was just right. Staff were welcoming and very attentive, especially at breakfast the waitress took time to explain the options and kept the buffet looking fresh and well stocked. The location is perfect, just a short walk from the town, but in a quiet, tree lined street.. close to the river of course. We will definately book again to spend more time in and around Stellenbosch.
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Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: May 2022Trip 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.
Response from Lorraine Schaefer, Owner at River Manor Boutique Hotel
Responded 20 Jun 2022
Dear Carole Thank you for taking the time to post such a wonderfully detailed review, and for choosing River Manor Boutique Hotel for your recent stay in Stellenbosch. I am so pleased that you had a chance to try our new 'all day dining' menu. It has been very popular. especially amongst guests who have enjoyed a big, delicious winelands lunch! Thank you for highlighting the service and the team members. They really do a great job of striking the balance between passion, professionalism and friendliness. They will be delighted with the feedback. Please stay in touch and let us know when you are planning your next trip to the area. We would love to welcome you back to River Manor Boutique Hotel, or indeed to another one of The Living Journey Collection in Cape Town, Franschhoek and Hermanus. Warm regards and thanks again. Lorraine
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Great location, an easy five minute walk into town. Free but limited parking at the hotel. The hotel occupies a couple old colonial homes and room size was large. The rooms are full of furniture but lack shelf space to place your things. Our bathroom was quite large but with a simple sink and mirror along with bath tub and shower, there were not enough counters for my wife and I to place our toiletries. Our room had a large Armoire but it was difficult to open and not very functional. The TV was small although the bed was very soft and one of the best hotel beds we have slept in. The breakfast buffet is quite good with a nice spread and the option to have hot food cooked to order. Bottom line, nice place and big rooms but not as functional as we would have liked. Also no balcony and small windows. The biggest issue is that when we were there the hotel was pretty empty and the hotel did not turn on a generator when the electricity would go out. Very inconvenient. This meant after sightseeing for a day we would get back to our room to find out that the power would be out (load-shedding daily) from say 5:30 pm to 8pm and this meant no TV or wifi or ability to charge your electronic devices. Other hotels run generators as the power goes out daily, so the guests are not inconvenienced, this place did not when we were there for 3 nights and for the amount of money we spent, they should have. If I came back, I would probably opt for a different hotel.
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Date of stay: May 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.
Response from Lorraine Schaefer, Owner at River Manor Boutique Hotel
Responded 05 Jun 2023
Thank you for your very detailed review, and for choosing River Manor Boutique Hotel for your recent trip to Stellenbosch. I am delighted to read how much you enjoyed the room product. It is a shame that you did not mention that you needed more storage room in the bathroom, this would have been no issue whatsoever to arrange. As you know, both parts of the hotel are a National Heritage site which mean they are under protection meaning we must respect the original integrity of the design and the building, something we are more than happy to do. Loadshedding is difficult at moment, but a generator is not the answer. There machines are loud, dirty and environmentally very unfriendly. We will be installing a better solution which is both silent and does not use fossil fuels. Once planning comes through from the Heritage authorities, we will proceed with this. Our other hotels have all been fitted with either solar systems or Lithium battery backups. Please stay in touch and let us know when you are planning your next trip to the area. We would love to welcome you back to River Manor Boutique Hotel, or perhaps another one of The Living Journey Collection in Cape Town, Franschhoek, Hermanus and Robertson. Warm regards. Lorraine
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The staff. the setting, the hospitality, the rooms, the location... Everyone was perfect at River Manor, we were quite a large gathering but everyone felt personally attended to there was always someone on hand to help. Definitely the best Boutique Hotel experience I've come across. I would give 10 stars if I could.
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Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: May 2022Trip type: Travelled with friends
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 Lorraine Schaefer, Owner at River Manor Boutique Hotel
Responded 20 Jun 2022
Dear Peter Thank you for your wonderful review, and for choosing River Manor Boutique Hotel for your recent stay in Stellenbosch. We are delighted that you enjoyed your stay. It is very rewarding to read of excellent service and special little touches, this is really the space where excellence thrives, so we are very happy when it is so completely appreciated. Please so stay in touch and let us know when you are planning your next trip to the area. We would love to welcome you back to River Manor Boutique Hotel, or indeed to another one of The Living Journey Collection in Cape Town, Hermanus and Franschhoek. Warm regards. Lorraine
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When planning a week to spend in South Africa, we had heard about the Living Journey boutique hotels. We had stayed in the Tree House before and were looking for the personal touch experienced with this collection of boutique hotels and it was just as special as we wished. We contacted them and they suggested we spend one or two nights in some of their hotels. They organized transfers between hotels so we didn’t even need to hire a car which turned out to be a great decision. Everyone working in the hotels was incredibly welcoming and helpful. We wanted to eat out so the bed and breakfast option was ideal. All hotels are an easy stroll to town with a choice of restaurants. Breakfast is delicious with buffet food - fruit, pastries, cheeses etc and plenty of cooked options. There is a homemade cake every day mid afternoon and coffee /tea all day. The poolside deck chairs have thick cushions and are fabulously comfortable for relaxing by the pool. There is a bar for evening drinks before heading out. Some hotels have specialty gins/brandy. Each hotel is unique with its own style and personality which makes it very interesting to travel between hotels. We had a fabulous trip and will definitely book again when back in South Africa.
Stellenbosch has the real wow factor with two heritage buildings linked together. There are even two pools one favoring sun and the other shade ! Sam and the team gave us a great stay. The hotel is only five mins walk from a host of lovely shops cafes and restaurants. We went for lunch in ‘Wine tasting’. The deep fried squid / calamari was so good we went back again on the second day. In the evening, we ate in Stellenbosch kitchen / great pizzas salads burgers etc. I booked a treatment with Felicity in the spa which was fabulous. Stellenbosch was our last destination - definitely going back and staying in the Living Journey Botique Hotels - wonderful hotels with a real personal touch.
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Date of stay: December 2022
Value
Location
Service
Trip 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.
Response from Lorraine Schaefer, Owner at River Manor Boutique Hotel
Responded 31 Dec 2022
Dear Ella Thank you for posting such a wonderful review, and for choosing River Manor Boutique Hotel for your recent trip to Stellenbosch. We are so pleased that you enjoyed your time with us. The two gardens are a very special feature of the hotel and really has something to offer everyone. Both of the houses are about 140 years old, and one is a national heritage sight with wonderful old detail and interesting architectural effects. Even more special is that this outside space, with its planting and pools are right in the middle of town which is an aspect that everyone enjoys. It is great that you had an opportunity to try out the spa facility. This is a relatively new addition and is proving to be very popular with our guests. Please stay in touch and let us know when you are planning your next trip to the area. We would love to welcome you hack to any one of our hotels and look forward to seeing you again in the not-too-distant future. All the best for a great start to 2023. Warm regards Lorraine
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We stayed with a few friends for my birthday and we all had a ball. The location is great, very close to central Stellenbosch with all its cafes and restaurants and galleries. Beds are superb and so is the linen. Bathrooms are generous and bright. The slippery shower tray is mitigated with a rubber mat that keeps you safe. ;-) The breakfast is excellent and the automatic coffee machine is the best I have seen in a hotel to date, the Ronnefeldt tea is amazing and certainly beats the five roses routine all too often found by miles! Fresh fruit, great yoghurts and cereals and a wonderful choice of freshly prepared dishes make this a great start to your day. When we came back in the evening we were invited to try the brandy tasting in a toasty lounge set up on a cold evening. Some of SA's best brandy were tasted (and drunk!!) and wow, there are some excellent Cognac-Challengers out there, amazing!
Overall we had two lovely nights and look forward to coming back! Stellenbosch is a lovely place with so much to do and River Manor is the right place to stay at!
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Date of stay: August 2022
Value
Location
Service
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 Lorraine Schaefer, Owner at River Manor Boutique Hotel
Responded 03 Sept 2022
Dear Nils Thank you for taking the time to post such a wonderful review, and for choosing River Manor Boutique Hotel for your special birthday weekend. We are so pleased to read that you enjoyed your stay. We get a lot of great feedback about our location, our product, and the great breakfast officering. Both the complimentary tea/coffee bar, and the brandy selection are new additions, so it is wonderful to read that these resonated so well with you, and that you appreciated them. I agree with you completely that we are spoilt for choice with a truly wonderful selection of local, high quality and totally exceptional pot still brandies. It is great to read that you would like to return. Please do stay in touch and let us know when you are planning your next trip to Stellenbosch, we would love to welcome you back to River Manor Boutique Hotel, or indeed to another one of The Living Journey Collection of Boutique Hotels in Cape Town, Franschhoek and Hermanus. warm regards, and thanks again. Lorraine
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Hi Paula, the studio room is not very big (unfortunately). What dates will you be staying with us? Please email us directly if possible so that we see what we can do for you.
Thans, RM
There are more places to choose from in the Stellenbosch area.
PRICE RANGE
RÂ 2,905 - RÂ 5,810 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
river manor boutique hotel stellenbosch, river manor boutique hotel and spa
LOCATION
South AfricaWestern CapeStellenbosch
NUMBER OF ROOMS
18
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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