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Rate Guide
R375pp per night (discount for kids); minimum cottage rate applies.
Budget Getaways Review
Surrounded by gum trees and fronted by generous green irrigation fields, De Melkportaal Cottage is your go-to for a rustic-luxury weekend on a real macoy dairy farm in the Overberg.
Starting with what to do while you're there, the options are the ultimate in chill: Stay tucked inside and fire up the indoor hearth or working bread oven. Migrate onto the stoep, pull the cork and light up the Blitz in the firepit, while sucking up those Soetmuisberg views. For a nice winter-summer old school experience, try out the donkey-heated "vroetel poel" at the edge of the deck.
Taking a poke around inside, De Melkportaal sleeps four in a double room and double sleeper couch in the living area. There's also a cot for Mini-Me in the latter.
True to your host's discerning style (check out the rave reviews for Bergen Dam Cottage - 2km away and on the same farm), the cottage is well equipped and stylishly finished with spaansriet ceilings, cement floors, rough walls, old country furniture, linen and towels, and personal touches scattered here and there.
The living area is open-plan and features an equipped kitchen, fireplace and convivial dining table. Complementing the away-from-it-all feel is Eskom's absence; instead you'll find a gas fridge, gas stove, loads of paraffin lanterns and a wood-burning donkey for hot water.
Glass stacking doors zip open the north-eastern flank to an endless deck equipped with table and firepit - prime spot to enjoy that freebie bottle of wine.
Going beyond the garden, the farm has loads of scope for walking, mountain biking, canoeing on the dam, bird-watching, and visiting the dairy to collect your ration of fresh milk. You can even sign the kids up for a crash course in dairy farming - by prior arrangement.
Arniston, Struisbaai, De Hoop and De Mond are within a short drive, as is the new trail and picnic spot on the Soetmuisberg.
De Melkportaal is pet-friendly and the perimeter is enclosed, which will take a lot of worry off you.
A well-rounded package that's lovely on the eye and ideal for small families and romantic couples. A winner in the making.
Quick Facts
E 19°55'45''
"Wat ‘n heerlike plek! Ons het so lekker by De Melkportaal gebly en goed uitgerus. Daar is als wat jy benodig, netjies en skoon. Ook baie lekker gewees as ‘n ‘digital detox’. Die swembadjie is ‘n wenner om gou aft te koel of selfs te verwarm met die vuuraangedrewe donkie. Die natuur rondom die verblyf is ongelooflik, veral die sterre in die aand! Ons hondekind het dit ook vreeslik geniet en kon lekker rond hardloop en speel in die omheinde area, ‘n groot pluspunt vir mense wat met honde reis. Ons het selfs so bietjie uitgery na omliggende dorpies asook die wynplaas Zoetendal besoek, heerlike wyn en uitstekende gourmet platter daar gehad. Ons sal defnitief terugkeer en kan De Melkportaal verseker hoogs aanbeveel!"
(Melissa Maloney, visited Dec 2018)
"We have never been let down by Budget Getaways- this was our fifth booking with them and was the best yet. The Melkportaal is superb. On arriving (with our 3 dogs) we immiediately felt at home. The cottage is nestled in between the rolling hills and mountains of Grashoek dairy farm and is surrounded by tranquil views dotted with tall blue gum trees and friendly cows. We spent alot of time braaing and enjoyed the rustic perfectly clean and equipped kitchen. The cottage is spacious stylish but authentic and the donkey fuelled hot water and lack of electricity gives one the extra satisfaction of screw you Eskom you can load shed but you cant mess with us here! The hot tub is divine- I advise to get it lit early so by the time you have braaied you can enjoy a glass of wine in there under the stars. My partner and I took a 5km run the next morning over to the farm dam which we later returned to and spent hours swimming with the dogs. Marilize the host has not missed a beat with this getaway in fact on leaving the place midday Sunday I'm sure I caught my dogs looking back in the mirror with sorrow expressions! We will be back- baaie dankie!"
(Alison Towner, visited Nov 2018)
"We loved our stay but it is rather expensive. There was no water in the cement dam to enjoy a nice cool swim, also the lights around the braai area did not work, very annoying to braai in darkness."
(Danie Joubert, visited Oct 2018)
"We loved De Melkportaal. The furnishings and finishings were top class, the setting was stunning and I loved being off grid!"
(Lynne Smit, visited Aug 2018)
"Fantastic place to escape to. Very cosy for two people with all that is needed to make it a very comfortable stay. Thank you to Pieter who shared interesting facts about the farm; we enjoyed the trip on the farm. Really a great stay."
(Benette Brink, visited Aug 2018)
"The perfect getaway cottage. The fur kids enjoyed the spacious enclosed garden, surrounded by the friendly neighbouring cows. The workers on the farm are super generous and friendly. The view from the patio, overlooking the daily farm activities can be rather entertaining. The location is also perfect for stargazing. We will be booking our next trip!"
(Ingrid Niebuhr, visited Jul 2018)
"We had such a lovely stay in this well-equipped and stunning cottage. We loved the fresh farm air and the sounds of farm animals. Will definitely go back soon."
(Surika Kuhn, visited May 2018)
"We had the most amazing weekend, being off the grid was refreshing and fun. We enjoyed starting the 2 donkeys for the pool and hot water, it made for a lot of conversation and debate. The cottage is comfortable and has many extras. Sitting on the patio is the best part, relaxing, reading and watching farm life go by. Our dogs had a blast, totally enjoying the long walks on the farm and having a sizable fenced off area. We will definitely be back soon!"
(Babette du Toit, visited Feb 2018)
"Thoroughly enjoyed a two night stay. Wonderful, well equipped cottage in a tranquil setting."
(Kevin Tromp, visited Jan 2018)
"I wanted rustic, value for money, privacy and within 2 hours drive from Cape Town. My partner wanted a nature setting. We both got what we wanted and more. This place is a hidden gem and I almost want to keep it a secret. Living off the grid for a couple of days was good for the soul and satisfying."
(Riaan Thiart, visited Jan 2018)
"An excellent getaway! Vroetelpoel was a treat and fresh farm milk so tasty! Will definitely go back."
(Adele Roos, visited Nov 2017)
"What a magical place! Beautiful, peaceful, but with enough to do for the whole family. The kids loved to watch the cows being milked and the fresh farm milk! The cottage is beautiful and comfortable with everything that we needed and more. We would love to go again soon!"
(Marilize Kruger, visited Nov 2017)
"What a lovely cottage! Very nicely laid out with a large deck overlooking the meadows and mountains. The daily cow walks up and down the road provided entertainment whilst sipping our wine on the deck. The little pool is the perfect size. The garden was safe and secure for our 5 mutts to run around and exhaust themselves tumbling about on the grass. Overnight we made a huge fire inside and had a relaxing dinner and more wine. 3G cell phone signal kept electronics to a minimum (thankfully), but we were still able to call home if needed. The cottage has everything you need, including firelighters and farm fresh milk!"
(Samantha Laing, visited Oct 2017)
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Where You'll Also Find Us
Arniston (Waenhuiskrans) • Barrydale • Baviaanskloof • Betty's Bay • Bonnievale • Bredasdorp • Caledon • Calitzdorp • Cape Agulhas & Struisbaai • Cape Peninsula & Surrounds • Ceres • Citrusdal • Clanwilliam & Cederberg • Darling • De Rust • Elands Bay • Gansbaai • George • Grabouw & Elgin Valley • Greyton • Hermanus • Hogsback • Knysna • Ladismith • Malgas • Matjiesfontein • McGregor • Montagu • Mossel Bay • Napier • Oudtshoorn • Paarl • Plettenberg Bay • Porterville • Pringle Bay, Betty's Bay and Kleinmond • Riebeek West & Riebeek-Kasteel • Robertson • St Helena Bay • Stanford • Stellenbosch • Stilbaai • Sutherland • Swellendam • Tulbagh • Velddrif • Vermaaklikheid • Wellington • Wilderness • Worcester & Hex Valley • Yzerfontein