Quick Facts
E 21°16'09''
Budget Getaways Review
A little jittery about that roadtrip into the Karoo badlands, not quite sure what the R62 has up it's sleeve? In that case we suggest you aim for Ladismith and lay your weary head at the Albert Manor Guesthouse.
This is a classy pad exuding charm and grace - like it did back in the days of the ostrich boom. It's the kind of place where one sort of expects to bump into a Victorian dame sipping tea out of bone China.
Built in the late 1800‘s and later declared a National Monument, the house has been lovingly preserved: Oregon floorboards, stained glass inlays, wood and iron lattice work, antique furniture, lots of Brasso, rolling green lawns… The result is serious homely appeal. (Apparently every door in the Manor still has its original key!)
Friendly and attentive hosts Bennie and Elizabeth are close at hand to ensure you an Uber comfy stay. Their guestbook is pregnant with gloating commentary (including that of the BG team who wafted through here recently on bike): “Friendly hosts, excellent location.” “Great accommodation and fantastic hospitality.” “Just perfect. I can't wait until my next visit hopefully later this year.”
The rooms are a mix of twins and doubles - three spacious units in the main Manor and a further two suites in the Coach House to the back of the house.
The main house bedrooms are offered on a B&B basis; each sports crisp white linen, bath towels, white bathrobes to swan about in - pity we forgot to pack the Stokies. In true Victorian tradition the bathrooms are shared.
The Coach House offers a self-catering unit with separate bedroom and equipped kitchen, as well as a second unit with double bed and ensuite bathroom.
Back in the Manor, you'll luxuriate in the wood-paneled lounge and TV area, with its high sash windows, wallpaper curling at the edges, soaring ceiling, plenty interesting reading matter, DSTV, Wifi, and tea and coffee are on tap.
For breakfast, there's a choice of Elizabeth’s Continental or full English - go the whole hog we say, it's worth every cent. Dinner is served on request.
Out to the front you have a charming patio and distant views of the iconic Towerkop and Klein Swartberg peaks, as well as the human comings and goings along Albert Street.
Albert Manor’s central location means getting around town is a doddle. An easy stroll down the road takes you to Andri's Coffee Shoppe & Restaurant, a down-to-earth eatery serving no-nonsense grub and excellent steaks, while Kannakombuis and Lekker Kos & Kuier also come recommended.
Comfortable accommodation, a rich slice of South African history, good ol’ fashioned country hospitality, what more could you really want from life?
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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 • Prince Albert • 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 • Velddrif • Vermaaklikheid • Wilderness • Witsand • Worcester & Hex Valley • Yzerfontein • Baviaanskloof • Cape St Francis & St Francis Bay • East London • Graaff-Reinet • Hogsback • Jeffreys Bay • Makhanda (Grahamstown) • Middelburg • Nieu-Bethesda • Rhodes • Sutherland