Quick Facts
E 20°31'43''
Budget Getaways Review
Rotterdam is an historic gem. This sprawling estate dates back to the late 1700’s and incorporates a mix of old Cape charm with contemporary boutique accommodation.
If you’re a Budget traveller angling for a stay in Rotterdam’s comfy suites, then a winter visit has your name on it. During this period rates are a reasonable R495pp, excluding meals.
The accommodation is spread across two lovely old farm buildings: De Wagenhuis - a characterful thatched abode - has five Queen rooms in the loft area, three with ensuite bathrooms, and two sharing a bathroom. On ground level you’ll find the Jan Auger suite, a two-bedroom family unit, with a central bathroom and garden area. All the suites are decked out in Egyptian cotton linen, plush bath towels and tasteful furnishings.
The Fraser Jones building houses a further 12 double ensuite rooms. As with De Wagenhuis, these are stylishly furnished and decked out in fine linen. Four of the ground floor rooms flow onto a central courtyard, while two larger rooms gaze over soothing dairy pastures, with the Buffeljags River beyond. The top floor boasts the same layout, with four rooms overlooking the courtyard and two larger rooms staring over farmland and river. All the rooms are ensuite.
Breakfast and dinner packs are on offer at an additional cost; these can be delivered to your room, or set up as a picnic at one of the farm’s dedicated spots. Braai packs are also available, and braai facilities can be used in the central boma, which sits alongside the swimming pool.
There are a number of paid-for local excursions offered by the farm: barge cruises on the river, sunset game drives at a nearby game farm, visits to the Rotterdam Trophy Room, where you can ogle at the motor racing memorabilia and awards of the late Mr Fraser Jones, a well-known racing driver in the 1950’s.
There is also a restaurant on the farm, which can be opened by prior arrangement for larger groups or functions. Swellendam is 10km up the road with pile of good restaurants of its own.
So, whether it’s just two of you, or a group planning a bigger bash or family reunion, Rotterdam offers lovely surrounds, a rich dollop of history and über comfy accommodation - all at a reasonable price.
Bibi's Joy
Swellendam, Western Cape
Let’s set the tone with a recent guest comment: “If you need peace and tranquility away from the city bustle, this is the place to go. Rustic, comfortable, se...
Rate Guide
From R300 to R1500, depending on unit, guests and time of year
Koloniesbos Mountain Cabin
Swellendam, Western Cape
Koloniesbos Mountain Cabin is the epitome of your classic hikers hut. Originally the first hut of the Swellendam five day hiking trail, This little wooden abode has been ...
Rate Guide
R1500 nightly for the cabin
Rivierplaas Cottages
Swellendam, Western Cape
River House and Stone Cottage are secluded cottages appointed on a fruit farm along the banks of the Breede River. Both have a relaxed rustic personality suited to Budget...
Rate Guide
River House (sleeps 4) R500 nightly for 2 adults, Stone Cottage is R600 nightly for 2 adults; additional guests R50 per person nightly.
!Xairu Tented Bush Retreat
Swellendam, Western Cape
Situated on a small, environmentally conscious farm, 28km from Swellendam, !Xairu Tented Bush Retreat is a rustic bush camp with two equipped, permanent tents, or an addi...
Rate Guide
From R695 - R895.00 per equipped tent
Oorvloed Farmhouse
Swellendam, Western Cape
A large working Overberg farm is the setting for Oorvloed Farmhouse. It’s big sky country here with swathes of wheat and canola fields and wide open spaces. The far...
Rate Guide
R800 nightly for the first two guests. R360pp thereafter. Minimum 2 night stay.
Somerset Gift Getaway Farm
Swellendam, Western Cape
Somerset Gift Getaway Farm nestles in a beautiful valley bordering the foothills of the majestic Langeberg Mountains, just 16km from Swellendam. Combining an idyllic an...
Rate Guide
From R1300 to R6500, depending on unit, guests and time of year
Die Hoenderhok & Plaashuisie
Swellendam, Western Cape
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 bet...
Rate Guide
From R600 to R1300, depending on unit, guests and time of year
Breede Bush Camp
Swellendam, Western Cape
A private and exclusively booked campsite and central living area on the banks of the Breede River, 34 km south of Swellendam, Breede Bush Camp is certainly a good bet fo...
Rate Guide
From R350pp for first four guests. Minimum rate for 4 guests.
Umshanti
Swellendam, Western Cape
Man, for a moment forget the fantastic view over the glistening dam and Langeberg peaks, we can't stop staring at that green grass. How do they get it like that? Bert fro...
Rate Guide
From R280 - R500 per person nightly
Karoo Art Hotel
Barrydale, Western Cape
A charming Karoo village is Barrydale and adding a big chunk to that charm must surely be the Karoo Art Hotel? Back in the day, there were a few constants that made up th...
Rate Guide
From R1460 to R2880, depending on unit, guests and time of year
Sandy's Place
Barrydale, Western Cape
Sandy’s Place, situated in Barrydale on Route 62, is a good destination, or stopover, for visitors wishing to unwind and relax far removed from the stress and strai...
Rate Guide
From R500 to R1600, depending on unit, guests and time of year
Bontebokskloof Manor
Swellendam, Western Cape
Adjacent to the N2, Bontebokskloof Manor is located on a working farm in the countryside, a stone’s throw away from picturesque Swellendam, with a clear view of the...
Rate Guide
From R3000 to R3850, depending on unit, guests and time of year
Hermitage Huisies
Swellendam, Western Cape
A picturesque smallholding just outside Swellendam, Hermitage Huisies has a certain quality that many guests find irresistible. There are four cottages, the original Ro...
Rate Guide
From R825 to R1730, depending on unit, guests and time of year
The Blue Cow Barn
Barrydale, Western Cape
The cottages, Ansie, Betsie, Corlie and Donsie, are named after milk cows, a throwback to when the farm was still a working dairy farm and they used to give a name to eac...
Rate Guide
From R650 to R1800, depending on unit, guests and time of year
The Gaia Sanctuary
Swellendam, Western Cape
The Gaia Sanctuary invites guests to visit our little slice of sanctuary, our very own heaven on earth, for a completely back-to-mother-earth experience, to leave your he...
Rate Guide
From R167 to R1564, depending on unit, guests and time of year
Riverside Country House
Swellendam, Western Cape
Riverside Country House is a tastefully furnished self-catering house set at the foot of the majestic Langeberg Mountain alongside the Koornlands river. The downstairs ar...
Rate Guide
From R2500, depending on unit, guests and time of year
KamBati River Resort
Swellendam, Western Cape
Kam’Bati, a 5km drive off the N2 and 25km from Swellendam, is aimed at nature lovers and families out for a relaxed weekend of caravaning and camping alon...
Rate Guide
From R2252.5 to R2385, depending on unit, guests and time of year
Aloe Canyons Guestfarm and Wildlife
Swellendam, Western Cape
Off the beaten track and tucked along the banks of a river - with an outlook over rugged hills - Aloe Canyons Guest Farm and Wildlife is nature lovers territory. The riv...
Rate Guide
From R900 to R1600, depending on unit, guests and time of year
Mountain View Swellendam
Swellendam, Western Cape
Comprising The Cottage (sleeps 4) and The Lodge (4 units, sleeps 10 in total), and set in fynbos gardens overlooking the historic town of Swellendam against the backdrop ...
Rate Guide
From R1000 to R2550, depending on unit, guests and time of year
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