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E 19°39'59''
Budget Getaways Review
A rugged Riviersonderend backdrop + 1000ha of open Boland countryside + three no-nonsense cottages = healthy soulfood for the urban weary.
Tucked into the picturesque Robertson Valley, about 32km south of the town, Vredenhof’s recently renovated worker cottages make for a respectable group- or families-with-pooches escape.
The cottages are set on a gentle slope, about 50m apart. They are basic, yet perfectly adequate units: clean, comfortable and equipped, including linen and towels.
Common to the triplets is an equipped kitchen, dining and living area, a loo, shower, and Dover stove to stave off the winter chill. Each has two bedrooms (double and twin), a covered voorstoep with built-in braai and soothing vistas across farmland and mountain, and a hot outdoor shower for a scrub under the stars.
While endless mugs of moerkoffie and sizzling chops on the braai will keep the bulk of us sedentary types cemented to the stoep, there's certainly enough to do. A worthwhile and easy stroll takes one up the gorgeous kloof near the cottages; there’s a farm dam where the kids can frolic and fish; informal mountain bike routes, long walks and wine farms are in plentiful supply; the night skies and general tranquillity are second to none; and Robertson, with its healthy spread of restaurants, coffee shops, wide streets and various other low-key attractions, is 32km up the road.
An easy-going and uncomplicated getaway that will tick a bunch of boxes for many a Budget weekender.
"There used to be so many of these straightforward reasonably priced getaways, before everything got all Egyptian cotton and 14 pillows on the bed and the throws thrown just so. We loved Renosterbos Cottage: the stoep with picnic table, plastic chairs and fabulous braaiplek, lots of vine wood around to rustle up for your fire. Inside: central room with dining table and chairs and Dover stove, two bedrooms off, spacious bathroom and neat little kitchen. All the basics are in place. Enough open shelf space to stow away all the groceries we brought. Even candles, which I had forgotten. Even proper dish soap and a scrubby! (Why oh why do so many places not provide this? These are your dishes we're trying to clean!) The three cabins are close but well-positioned for privacy. Lovely quiet area with lots of birds, dassies stampeding over the hill nearby. The night sky is spectacular. Down side? We were there for an unseasonably hot long weekend and the gazillion flies drove us inside at dusk. And then there's what we figure is an electronic scarecrow in the bottom field, which lets off rising and falling whoops and scattered strobe light. The first day it was intriguing, the second day it was annoying, and we were used to it by the third day. It would be much nicer without it, but clearly the farm's needs come first. We get it."
(visited Apr 2017)
"Vredenhof Cottages are set in the most beautiful setting of the Robertson country side. Nothing like waking up to the sun rising from the mountains. It is tranquility at its best. The cottages are very well equipped, you need not bring anything along, all is supplied. The only thing to pick up is a great bottle or 5 of the special Robertson valley wines.The cottages are neat and tidy and I can only imagine when in summer how delightful it would be to sit on the stoep with a braai going whilst starring into the stunning views. It was very good value for money and Alinda was nothing else but helpful. We had a wonderful time and would definitely go back to Vredenhof Cottages. We are missing Robertson already, it feels like our second home."
(visited Jul 2016)
"We had an incredible time at Vredenhof Cottages. We stayed in Kraalbos (middle one). We enjoyed making fire in the wooden stove as well as the working farm setting. We would definitely like to return soon."
(visited Jul 2016)
"Walking in the mountains was awesome."
(visited January 2015)
"Stunning little peaceful place! Cottages are as they claim "simple" but are perfectly adequate for a family getaway. Our boys played wonderfully in the good old fashioned way, sticks and digging and the little river behind the cottages. Very clean and comfortable and just a short drive to the delicious wine farms in Robertson. Well worth a visit."
(visited January 2015)
Fossil Hills Farm Accommodation
McGregor, Western Cape
Up for a few days in the fossil-filled koppies of McGregor? Stone Cottage, Aloe Cottage, Lavender Cottage, Lemon Tree Cottage, Pinotage House, Tango Guesth...
Rate Guide
From R1400 to R5600, depending on unit, guests and time of year
Bonamanzi Adventures Lodge
Worcester & Hex Valley, Western Cape
This great group getaway really is a family and friends adventure in the making. Rigged out to sleep a few families or a bunch of friends looking for a chilled spot ...
Rate Guide
From R4000 to R4500 nightly for the lodge for the first 15 guests. R200pp thereafter. Seasonal rates and discounts apply.
Lancewood TiPi Lodge
Robertson, Western Cape
Fifteen kays from Robertson and tucked into the slopes of the Langeberg Mountains on a 12ha tract of fertile farming land, Lancewood TiPi Lodge is a down-to-earth escape ...
Rate Guide
From R910 to R2245, depending on unit, guests and time of year
Wild Almond Cottage
McGregor, Western Cape
This character cottage on a quiet McGregor street, oozes a great deal of rural charm, places you right in the centre of the village, yet you're surrounded by tr...
Rate Guide
From R385 per person nightly for the cottage.
Eikebos Campsite (for groups)
Greyton, Western Cape
Appointed on a working farm 4km off the R406 between Caledon and Greyton, Eikebos offers a picturesque and intimate camping experience. With a grand total of seven stan...
Rate Guide
R2800 per night (up to 28 guests), plus R120 per night per extra guest; maximum 32 guests; group bookings ONLY; no midweek bookings unless by prior arrangement; minimum stay is two nights; Campsite closed for camping 15 May - 31 Aug
Geelbos Cottage
Greyton, Western Cape
Geelbos Cottage is a secluded renovated labourer's cottage on a typical Overberg farm at the foot of the Kleinswartberg mountain. This white tin-roofed cottag...
Rate Guide
R400pp nightly for up to 3 guests; 4th guest free; R400pp for 1-night stays and singles
Assegai Rest
Robertson, Western Cape
Fifteen kays from Robertson and tucked at the foot of the Langeberg Mountains on a 12ha tract of fertile farming land, Assegai Rest is a down-to-earth escape from your us...
Rate Guide
From R3200, depending on unit, guests and time of year
Olea Cottage at Assegai Rest
Robertson, Western Cape
Fifteen kays from Robertson and tucked at the foot of the Langeberg Mountains on a 12ha tract of fertile farming land, Assegai Rest is a down-to-earth farm escape from yo...
Rate Guide
From R1800, depending on unit, guests and time of year
Bonamanzi Adventures Campsite
Worcester & Hex Valley, Western Cape
As the old real estate saying goes, "location, location!" This couldn’t be closer to the truth than at Bonamanzi Adventures. What we’ve got here folks, is a c...
Rate Guide
From R4500 nightly for the lodge for the first 15 guests. R200pp thereafter. Seasonal rates and discounts apply.
Tanagra Wine & Guest Farm
McGregor, Western Cape
Let's cut straight to the chase with a few choice quotes posted on that little known website called Tripadvisor. “Lovely place, exceptional hosts, don't miss it!&rd...
Rate Guide
From R1250 to R3000, depending on unit, guests and time of year
GuBas de Hoek - Meet, eat, sleep
Robertson, Western Cape
A well-appointed guesthouse, right in the heart of Robertson, GuBas de Hoek offers a number of guest rooms (outside of the BG budget range) as well as two beautiful, self...
Rate Guide
From R1600 to R2400, depending on unit, guests and time of year
Chalcedony
McGregor, Western Cape
Chalcedony Guest House lies on the edge of the Krans Nature Reserve and overlooks the small village of MgGregor, which is nestled in the winelands area of the Western Cap...
Rate Guide
From R2500 to R3700, depending on unit, guests and time of year
The Barn, McGregor
McGregor, Western Cape
The Barn McGregor is a self-catering unit, a quaintly rebuilt and renovated old farm shed or barn, with sash windows with shutters and dark beamed ceilings. The Barn can ...
Rate Guide
From R1340 to R2625, depending on unit, guests and time of year
Oewerzicht
Greyton, Western Cape
Oewerzicht farm is situated in the picture perfect Greyton valley on the banks of the Riviersonderend River. It is the ideal place for a peaceful, fun and romantic getawa...
Rate Guide
From R1500 to R4800, depending on unit, guests and time of year
Pat Busch Mountain Reserve
Robertson, Western Cape
The setting of this farm-cum-reserve is stunning: a folded green valley below the towering Langeberg, segmented into multiple mini-valleys, each concealing further n...
Rate Guide
From R1000 to R6200, depending on unit, guests and time of year
Kromrivier Farm Accommodation
Riviersonderend, Western Cape
Situated at the foot of the Riviersonderend Mountain Range between Greyton and Riviersonderend, Kromrivier Farm is perfect for the adventure seeker, and the little piece ...
Rate Guide
From R1650 to R1800, depending on unit, guests and time of year
DuVon Farmhouse
Robertson, Western Cape
The old Farmhouse at DuVon provides a good getaway for friends and families, amongst the vineyards and gardens on this lovely farm. The Farmhouse was renovated into sepa...
Rate Guide
From R625 to R2150, 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