Rate Guide
Hoenderhok (sleeps 4): R550 nightly for the cottage; Plaashuisie (sleeps 2): R450 nightly per unit.
Budget Getaways Review
Pastoral bliss and a skyline dominated by the jagged peaks of the Langeberg are surely sufficient reason for a stop-over near (12km) Swellendam?
Be it a midway break between mother city and Garden Route, or simply an excuse to get into the countryside, Die Hoenderhok and the recently added Plaashuisie offer plenty in the way of rustic-rural - known far and wide as an effective cure for the early symptoms of yuppie flu.
Both built in the late 1800’s and recently restored by owner and host Landi Steyn, the cottages and 25ha farmland surrounding them are summed up quite nicely by a recent guest: “Rustic, quiet, peaceful and right at the foot of the Langeberg, this is a place where you come to relax.”
The larger of the two and perfect for a small family, Die Hoenderhok is a character-packed abode resembling a child's rendering: crooked walls, high pitched roof, a window on either side of the front door. Inside, the old-world charm carries through, with exposed log beams, old sash windows, screed floors and a compact and cosy ambiance.
You’ll find a living room with fireplace and flatscreen with DSTV (bring own card as the channels are limited). Leading off to the side is the open-plan kitchen with small dining nook attached. The bathroom (with shower and loo) is shared. Up a rustic stairway brings you to a cosy loft, with two bedrooms - a twin and double. Your kids will love it.
For couples and honeymooners, Plaashuisie is the unit to aim for. Again, oodles of character and a mix of antique and modern are the order of the day. The setting in private and circled by gorgeous mountain views.
Plaashuisie has one bedroom, a bathroom with shower, open-plan kitchen and a living room with fireplace and TV.
In summer you'll find yourself outdoors most of the time, braaing in front of your cottage, or heading down to the Leeurivier itself (about 300m away) to enjoy a spot of birdwatching and possibly a dip.
With the buzzing metropolis of Swellendam a mere 12 kays down the road, oodles of country character and grand vistas over the hilly horizon, you’ll feel anything but cooped up at Die Hoenderhok and Plaashuisie.
Quick Facts
E 20°20'26''
"Plaashuisie is the perfect getaway for a restful weekend - the setting is breathtaking and secluded. It is a bonus that my cellphone struggled with reception on the farm, adding to the peace and quiet offered by the surrounding rolling hills and mountains. The house is wonderfully renovated and equipped with everything you may need. The owners are friendly and offer typical warm Afrikaans hospitality! Due to the drought the river is dried up, but we drove to a nearby spot next to the Breede River in search of some much needed relief from the heat. I look forward to returning to what has certainly become my new favourite getaway spot!"
(Nadia Gava, visited Apr 2017)
"Lovely, tranquil and peaceful but still near a main town if you need anything but far enough to be peacefully unaware. There are some lovely hikes and reserves nearby and lovely farm stalls."
(Jessica Abrahams, visited Mar 2017)
"We stayed at Plaashuisie and it was great! Private, quiet, very relaxing, and with fantastic views. Only a 6 minute drive to Swellendam, so we had the feeling of being way out in the country yet close to shops etc. It was a true farm stay with tractors up and down and herds of beautiful Boran cattle and their calves grazing almost on the doorstep. Plaashuisie is authentically rustic yet very clean and with some modern touches for convenience. It is beautifully decorated as well. The constant moo-ing of the cattle was the cherry on top."
(Brett Hawkins, visited Mar 2017)
"Lovely place; a romantic little hideaway with beautiful surrounds. Landi the hostess is amazing."
(Kay-Marie Carlsson, visited November 2016)
"The love and creativity is extraordinary. If you want to experience the old-fashioned South African lifestyle and warm hospitality, a calm and serene environment... then this is the place for you. We will be back."
(Ayla van Rensburg, visited Sep 2016)
"We had a great time in this facility and were able to visit many great places like The "Faery Sanctuary" , The old Dutch Reformed Church in Swellendam, The Bontebok Park, Southern most tip of Africa, Waenhuis Krans and Arniston. We loved the lovely sunsets and the peace and tranquility of the farm!"
(Elizabeth Simms, visited Jul 2016)
"We booked in for only one night not realizing that it would not at all be enough. All the fresh country air together with the cosy fire soon put us to bed without even braaing as planned but luckily thanks to Landi & Andries' warm hospitality we were able to enjoy our stay a few hours longer. What an awesome little spot, will definitely be back soon!"
(Abigale Moller, visited Jul 2016)
"Amazing combination of rustic and upmarket. Perfect setting to get away from the rush for a few days."
(JP Nel, visited Jun 2016)
"We loved our stay! The cottage is just so cute and beautifully decorated. We loved the setting with the fire pit and the cows grazing. We would recommend to anyone in the area. It was also very neat and clean. Stunning."
(Tess Hagen, visited Apr 2016)
"Very tidy and clean."
(Aylean Esterhuysen, visited Mar 2016)
"We went there in the winter months, and it made everything seem so lush and beautiful. Loved all the little touches that were thought of. Cosy little place, perfect for a lovers getaway. Will definitely be heading back there."
(David Watson, visited Jun 2015)
"More than we expected!"
(Rita Sumpton, visited January 2016)
"Lovely mid-week getaway. Beautiful location and perfect accommodation in the lovely Plaashuisie. The perfect place to unwind, relax and forget city life."
(James Shier, visited January 2015)
"Superb, an absolute delight, poured with rain but the indoor braai was perfect."
(David Martin, visited January 2015)
"We stayed in Plaashuisie for one night. My Boyfriend I both loved the cottage, from the beautiful setting, the views, the interior decor and seeing the cows grazing a few meters away. It was overcast and rainy, so it made that beautiful valley seem even more magical. It was the perfect little place to cuddle up in front of the fire place/braai. I would defiantly recommend."
(Michelle Haarhoff, visited January 2015)
"What a beautiful place to experience peace. My sister and I stayed in the "Plaashuisie" and I would love to just stay there forever. The house was so neat, comfortable with cosy corners everywhere, like the breakfast nook where we sat almost the whole day. The shower was spectacular, the rusks left for us for our morning coffee a very nice and personal touch, and the farm-view from every window to die for. We did not get to meet the owners, but through our communication with them, we already felt welcome and safe. We will definitely be back in summer to have a braai outside."
(Lorraine du Toit, visited January 2015)
"We've used Budget Getaways a number of times but this accommodation completely exceeded all expectations! Set on a small farm 10-minutes from Swellendam we stayed in Plaashuisie, the smaller of the two units available surrounded by spectacular mountain scenery. Landi has designed and created a comfortable and cosy cottage equipped with everything you need. The small touches throughout from the inventive lighting feature in the bedroom to the cobbled stone floor in the bathroom with a big shower (plenty of hot water!) showed just how much she has considered the best way to make it a memorable stay for guests. Photos don't do it justice. It's close enough to explore Swellendam but remote enough to feel closed off from the distractions of modern life. Make the most of the huge fireplace/braai and forget about everything for a day or two."
(Matt Newman, visited May 2015)
"We stayed in the Plaashuisie. The setting is amazing. It is on a farm outside of town. Looks over a field of cows. So peaceful and relaxing. I highly recommend this cottage!"
(Anna Kargaard, visited November 2014)
"A beautifully renovated cottage with special attention to detail. Peaceful and quiet. Friendly reception and great value for money. I can recommend it. Baie dankie vir n lekker naweek."
(Anna-Grethe Marais, visited February 2015)
"From the decor to scenery up until the hospitality everything was absolutely delightful. loved the small touches to the place made it feel like a home away from home."
(Wardah Roode, visited March 2015)
"The stay at Hoenderhok was certainly a wonderful experience. My family and I enjoyed our stay very much. Compliments on an excellent self-catering unit. I must say that it felt like heaven on earth. The tranquility and nature. Once again, thank you for making our weekend a memorable one. Another good memory for our holiday scrapbook. We will be back."
(Warren Pekeur, visited December 2014)
"Baie oulike plekkie vol verrassings! Baie lekker gebly wens net dit was langer."
(Hendrik Vorster, visited December 2014)
"A treasure."
(Graham Lea-Cox, visited November 2014)
"If you need peace, this is the place. The Plaashuis was clean, with everything you need. We loved the indoor fireplace, we sat in front of the fire till very late. It's a photographer heaven, the mountains and we have spot a lot of birds. The only regret was that one night was to short."
(Belinda Nel, visited November 2014)
"Awesome value for money. Very peaceful and relaxing. Will be back!"
(Eugene Neethling, visited October 2014)
"Wow, what a lovely surprise. We stayed in the small cottage and arrived to rain and cold, but were soon warmed up when we were welcomed into this delightful cottage. Landi and her husband really have made this cottage a home away from home, and we are ever so glad we stayed. Pity it was such a short stay of one night."
(Alice Jones, visited September 2014)
"Really enjoyed staying at the Plaashuisie, the cottage was even better than I expected after looking through the photos on this website. It is very clean, cosy, comfortable, private and quiet. The cottage overlooks a big field with cows who were fun to watch, and there are beautiful big mountains around. You really feel you are in nature, yet the town of Swellendam is very close by, easy to make a quick drive if you need something, or if you don't feel like cooking and want to eat out. It is a lovely town, although we spend more time in the cottage and in the nearby nature reserves."
(Myrna Lemmen, visited August 2014)
"We had wonderful hospitality from Landi and Andries, and we were just in love with this quaint little cottage. We enjoyed the quietness of the farm, and felt absolutely recharged. Hope we could have stayed longer. Absolute value for money. Will surely visit again."
(Chris Truter, visited April 2014)
"Beautiful cottage (Hoenderhok) with all the amenities surrounded by farm life and mountains. We want to return again when we have more time."
(Neil Richards, visited April 2014)
"Was very good."
(Francois de Koker, visited April 2014)
"We had the most delightful stay in the beautifully decorated "Hoenderhok". It was so much more than expected. We enjoyed a two-night stay on the farm and loved the stunning mountain views and the farm life on the doorstep. This is a must visit for every city-dweller."
(Elmie Venter, visited January 2014)
"Die Hoenderhok is a fun cottage, and we enjoyed our two night midweek stay. We look forward to returning to try out The Plaashuisie soon."
(Diana Hindon, visited August 2013)
"Spent a totally relaxing weekend. Facilities are good and will definitely make a return. You have spent time and effort on making it comfortable and it shows."
(Paul Atkinson, visited June 2013)
"Spent a lovely weekend at 'Die Hoenderhok' including waking up to the first snowfall of winter covering the tops of the mountains! The cottage is rustic, cosy and comfortable and suited out needs perfectly. If you looking for peace and quiet in a lovely farm setting, gorgeous mountain peaks, clear starry nights then this place is for you."
(Tracy Styles, visited May 2013)
"'n Unieke kreatiewe (skoon) hoenderhok! Die kort verblyf was wonderlik; die trekker wat ploeg, tarentale wat skoorvoet in die land, die beeste se lang skinderstories praat en saans die paddas wat kwaak met die sterre kyk buite (die kaggelvuurtjie wat vonkies lek binne) is musiek vir 'n dorpskind. Ek sal weer wil gaan kuier daar! Dankie."
(Annie Paradys, visited May 2013)
"We were accommodated on short notice. Perfect for couples. We really had a wonderful stay."
(Bernadene Prinsloo, visited May 2013)
"My pregnant wife and I spent a wonderful 4 nights at Die Hoenderhok. It was delightful, comfortable, cozy and very peaceful. I must add that this little gem is not for everyone's liking, if you are expecting a five-star city hotel and to be waited on hand and foot, then go to a five-star establishment. If you absolutely love the rustic getaways, in the peaceful bliss of a natural farm setting, completely undisturbed, then Die Hoenderhok is for you. We would suggest it for couples, young families and the soloist. We will definitely return ... when little Hannah is born."
(Jon & Monique Amira, visited April 2013)
"What a wonderful weekend my girls and I had. Yolandi made sure we were never without wood and we kept the fire going the whole weekend. The most awesome setting in the mountains and the cottage made us feel right at home. Nothing beats getting there after a long drive and having fresh milk in the fridge for a great cup of hot chocolate! We were also invited for a picnic on the river bank by the family and had a wonderful time. Thanks Yolandi and family. We will be returning time and time again for a piece of heaven!"
(Cat Rieper, visited May 2012)
"Rustic, quiet, peaceful farm stay at the feet of the Langeberg. If you want to escape the hustle and bustle of the town or city this is the place where you can come to relax, and if you really, really need to go to town the beautiful historic town of Swellendam is only 12km away."
(Barbara Steyn, visited January 2013)
"I would give them between three and four overall rating. Would really recommend if you just need to relax. Owners very helpful and friendly."
(Natalie Van der Westhuizen, visited December 2012)
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