Rate Guide
R750 nightly for the apartment.
Budget Getaways Review
The setting? Gorgeous Klein Karoo, minus the harsh edges: early morning cows on their way to be milked, the sounds of phlegmatic tractors and the occasional farm bakkie; open vistas of tobacco fields and the looming Swartberg peaks.
Your hosts? Phyllis, a costumier and couturier who specialises in mascot-making and period costumes, and Roger, a talented one-head-many-hats artist-sculptor-photographer who gave the middle finger to the city and runs his studio, photo gallery and coffee and koeksuster stop-off in the space next door.
Your bed? A creative, comfortable and well-equipped cocktail blending a dash of organic-inspired Gaudi with a tot of Nieuw-Bethesda Owl House.
No idea what the heck we're on about? In layman's terms then... Kruisrivier Gallery Apartment is a baie nice little spot in a magical location, filled with oodles of creative flair, love and care.
A far throw from your Boardmans-by-the-country guesthouse, the decor, the furnishings and the generous touches come from the heart - from the wonky white washed walls and hand-moulded details, to the cute Victorian bath hidden behind the latte screen, the African tin tea set above the fireplace, the vases of single flowers, the jars of goodies in the kitchen, the nurtured succulent garden...
There's nothing standard off-the-shelf about this place, but at the same time there's nothing overstated. It's just the natural expression of a creative couple, nothing more, nothing less, aimed at like-minded artistic souls.
Quick Facts
E 21°53'03''
"We loved every moment of this visit. After a long and tiring festive season, a stop off at Kruisrivier for new year's eve was such a treat. With nothing but beautiful views of the mountains and the whistling of the wind in the tall trees encircling the gallery, this is such a peaceful and restorative place. Phyllis and Roger were incredible hosts and even had us over for dinner when we arrive ill-prepared with no groceries. What we valued most was that we felt most welcome, but still had complete privacy and freedom. An early night, solid sleep and then a soak in the Victorian tub was the perfect way to ring in the new year. We can't wait to come back for a longer stay. This is a perfect halfway point when travelling between Cape Town and the Eastern Cape on the legendary Route 62."
(Kathryn GilsonSmith, visited Dec 2017)
"Exemplary hospitality. Truly enjoyed our stay. This was our second visit and wont be our last."
(Mari & Thys Reeder, visited January 2015)
"Nice apartment with lots of character. We enjoyed the setting and beautiful surroundings. Our host Roger was very hospitable and helpful in many ways."
(Derek Odendaal, visited January 2015)
"It’s a pleasure to read the above description again after returning home. It is so true! I’m not sure if you can speak of Kruisriver Apartment in terms of an oasis in a valley so lush as Groenfontein, but it truly is. The apartment, so fully equipped and decorated, is like a little home. With the photo gallery and the studio under the same roof as the apartment, Roger is always around and great conversations are never far away. It’s a warm place, where Roger and Phylis engage in the community; the succulent garden flourishes, and birds are close to hand-fed. From the terrace, there is always a dramatic Karoo sky to watch. And please, don’t miss the photo gallery!"
(Nienke Blaauw, visited July 2012)
Matjiesvlei Guest Farm
Calitzdorp, Western Cape
Now, here's a farm spilling rich history and Karoo character. Matjiesvlei goes right back to 1821 and has been in the same bloodline ever since - today it's farmed by 5th...
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