Quick Facts
E 22°01'45''
Budget Getaways Review
Back in the 1850’s, when Prince Albert was little more than a scattering of thatch roofs, ox wagons and dusty roads, a farm by the name of Sonskyn could be found dozing on the outskirts of the village.
More than 160 years down the line Sonskyn is still there, and, in contrast to Prince Albert itself, not a heck of a lot has changed.
What we have here is a treat of four Karoo-chic cottages that represent an eclectic mix of antique Karoo artifact, rough plastered walls, antique doors, timber ceilings - all successfully pulled together by easy-flowing organic lines.
With a weekend stage like this, settling into full Karoo chill mode is gonna be easier than getting down the Swartberg Pass in a Cortina with no brakes.
Brakdakkie's cottages definitely deserve individual description, so here goes…
If you're a couple out for a weekend of privacy, Cottage One has your name on it. Once Sonskyn's barn, today it's an open-plan space with double bed and ensuite bathroom with Victorian bath. A small kitchenette kitted with rustic table, fridge, microwave, kettle and toaster will serve you well. Stepping outside you have your own private garden with splash pool nogal, a braai and outside table and chairs. Nice.
Cottage Two is the original dairy reincarnated into a cozy two-sleeper, with twin beds, ensuite bathroom with big shower, and an equipped kitchenette. There’s a dining table and a couple of easy chairs to settle into with Story of an African Farm or Ten Shades of Brown by local stud farmer Gert Swart. To the front of the cottage is a covered stoep, braai and yet again, your very own splash pool.
Onto Cottage Three, this was once the humble home of Esmeralda, the farm donkey. Carefully restored and added to with eco-friendly straw bales plastered in clay, this is the spot for a young family. Sleeping four on a double and two singles in one open-plan room, the cottage features an ensuite bathroom with shower, equipped kitchenette and dining table. Moving outside, you're again spoilt with the winning formula of splash pool, small garden, covered stoep and braai.
New to the pack is Cottage Four, aptly nicknamed “Slootjie” after the leiwater sloot that trickles through its private garden. This little cottage sports the same Karoo charm you’ll find in the others. Well suited to couples, Cottage Four is decked with a double bed and ensuite bathroom with shower. There’s a well- equipped kitchenette, a covered stoep with “slouch-couch” and a braai area and private plunge pool.
Common to all four cottages are luxuries like percale linen, heaters and fans. Extra mattresses for your kids can also be arranged on request, and there's a hot-water outside shower for common use should you wish to brave bathtime under the stars - well worth it, we're told.
Lying fairly central to town, ambling into the village for your morning 'cino or early evening lamb shank couldn’t be easier.
Apart from the pleasures of Prince Albert itself, there are a number of day walks and mountain bike routes into the adjacent Swartberg, as well as the option of a white-knuckle day drive into Gamkaskloof (aka Die Hel), or a more placid excursion through the tarred Meiringspoort.
A delighted Cape Town guest puts it as such on Tripadvisor: "What a beautiful cottage we found at Brakdakkie. The cottage has a lot of space and the artfull way it is decorated was a welcome change from the usual impersonal self- catering cottages." Another gushes, "A little slice of Karoo heaven. We wanted to stay forever."
Loads of quirky character, plenty creature comforts, great location, friendly hosts with an eye for simple detail, Brakdakkie slots right into Captain Getaway’s must-visit-someday list.
"We had a great time at Brakdakkie. Our four-year-old loved the splash pool, and running around the quirky Karoo garden with antique car fenders, bedsteads turned into cactus beds and a classic Karoo windmill. The cottages have a lovely sense of space, and of place. Very warm and welcoming hosts, too."
(visited April 2015)
"It lived up to expectations!"
(visited February 2015)
"What an amazing little town! We loved Prince Albert and especially enjoyed our stay at Brakdakkie. Our hostess Kerri was lovely, friendly and very welcoming. The kitchen had everything we needed. The braai facilities as well the splash pool was just what we needed after a long bike ride. I loved the Victorian style bath and the rustic decor. Thank you for a great stay, we'll be back."
(visited January 2015)
"We loved the cottages. There were both beautifully and creatively decorated, with an eye for detail. We would think twice however coming again in the summer time as there is not adequate ventilation. Our cottage had only one small window that you could open at night on the wall across from the bed and no way to get a cross breeze going. We tried to move the fan to the window to draw some fresh cool air in but the cord wasn't long enough. So we slept in a very warm cottage with a fan blowing warm air on us, which was far from comfortable. Other than the heat the cottages were perfect, so we'd definitely return in the fall or spring."
(visited December 2014)
Getaway Reply
"Hi Tana,
Thank you for your kind words. Unfortunately you caught the hottest evening that we have had this summer. The extension lead for the fan is at the plug-point- we have moved it so that it is more visible. Leaving the French doors open at night is the highlight of that room - we still have the luxury of sleeping with open doors!"
(Brakdakkie Guest Cottages)
"We had a very enjoyable and comfortable stay in the cottage. Our dogs being so welcome was such a pleasure. We loved the very clever, creative decoration of the place and the fact that it was so well equipped for our three night stay. The fresh milk and orange juice from the local dairy delivered each day by Kerri was just such a lovely touch. Our whole break was amazing and staying at Brakdakkie made our holiday."
(visited July 2014)
"Wonderfully decorated with ambiance of decades ago. Hosts are warm friendly and interesting. They went out of their way to satisfy our curiosity about their originality and all the other activities at their premises."
(visited October 2013)
"My husband, three year old daughter and I loved our two nights at Brakdakkie cottages. Our hosts Lance and Kerri were really friendly and made us feel very welcome. In fact so at home that we did not want to leave. The family cottage we stayed in was beautifully decorated and we loved the Karoo style decor. It was well equipped and had a fridge, microwave, hot plate, kettle and toaster. For breakfast we enjoyed the cereals and fresh milk from the village dairy supplied in the cottage. Our cottage had a lovely outdoor area with a braai, table and chairs and a small splash pool for summer. Our daughter delighted in feeding the ducks and chickens. The cottage had lovely warm blankets, a heater and hot water bottles in winter so we were cosy at night. Brakdakkie is the perfect place to bring the family and explore Prince Albert. We will definitely be back."
(visited July 2013)
"Lovely, friendly hosts. Great eye for detail."
(visited March 2013)
"Brakdakkie has a quant but typically tranquil Karoo setting. The chalets are set away from the others and each with their own splash pools which are a must for those hot summer days in the Karoo. The chalets were very clean and tastefully decorated and very clean. Lance and Kerri went out of their way to make us feel special on our honeymoon. Lance even took us on a side-car trip around the town which was a highlight of our 2 week honeymoon around the Cape. We were also welcomed with a bottle of champagne and delicious snack plate. We could not have asked for more. Prince Albert is one of our favorite towns and I highly recommend a stay there for locals and international visitors. Thanks again to Kerri and Lance for making our stay memorable."
(visited March 2013)
"Dis net so salig by die Brakdakkie."
(visited February 2013)
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Where You'll Also Find Us
Arniston (Waenhuiskrans) • Barrydale • Beaufort West • Betty's Bay • Bonnievale • Bot River • Bredasdorp • Caledon • Calitzdorp • Cape Agulhas and Struisbaai • Cape Town area • Ceres • Citrusdal • Clanwilliam & Cederberg • Darling • De Rust • Franschhoek • Gansbaai • George • Grabouw & Elgin Valley • Greyton • Heidelberg • Hermanus • Knysna • Ladismith • Laingsburg • Lamberts Bay • Langebaan • Malgas • Matjiesfontein • McGregor • Montagu • Mossel Bay • Napier • Oudtshoorn • Paarl • Paternoster • Plettenberg Bay • Porterville • Prince Albert • Pringle Bay • Pringle Bay, Betty's Bay and Kleinmond • Riebeek West and Riebeek-Kasteel • Riversdale • Riviersonderend • Robertson • St Helena Bay • Stanford • Stilbaai • Strand, Gordon's Bay and Somerset West • Swellendam • Tulbagh • Uniondale • Velddrif • Vermaaklikheid • Wellington • Wilderness • Witsand • Worcester & Hex Valley • Yzerfontein • Baviaanskloof • Cape St Francis • Cape St Francis & St Francis Bay • East London • Graaff-Reinet • Hogsback • Jeffreys Bay • Makhanda (Grahamstown) • Middelburg • Nieu-Bethesda • Rhodes • Sutherland