Quick Facts
E 19°22'41''
Budget Getaways Review
Waterfalls is a rambling thatched house, 10km downstream from Stanford and a similar distance upstream from Hermanus. It is also the stuff of happy holidays, past and present.
Lying across the way from host Elspeth and Richard’s home and surrounded by massive bluegums and wild and woolly fynbos, it's an unpretentious space filled with light and views of the lagoon and Kleinrivier mountains.
Waterfalls can house an extended family of 10, most of it in a huge loft built into the thatch eaves, the rest downstairs in two small and basic bedrooms.
An upstairs shower and toilet will reduce your child's risk of tumbling down the stairs on the way to the loo at night.
A fireplace and dining table with benches, timber floors, and a well stocked book rack feature in the open living room - by far the nicest spot in the house. The living room opens to a large wooden deck with great views across the vlei and a space for outdoor eating and general relaxation.
The kitchen is equipped with a gas stove,large fridge, microwave, crockery and a dishwasher to cope with the extra load of a group getaway.
Stepping outside there's a braai area sheltered by blue gums. Venturing even further out, into the surrounding fynbos, we stumbled upon a wonderful swimming hole, fed by a mountain stream and circled by vlei reed. Dangling above the pool was a well-used Tarzan swing, which Richard promptly demonstrated by enthusiastic example. Dr Budget (Captain Getaway's cousin) followed suit – luckily for Richard and Elspeth, he wasn’t wearing his favourite leopard-print underpants.
Apart from a number of shortish strolls around the immediate property, there is scope for more serious trekking in the steep mountains behind Waterfalls.
Visitors who have been to Waterfalls certainly seem to think of it as a very pleasant spot: “The ideal place to recover from stress, we loved it.”
"Great break-away, close enough to home, everything included that could be needed! Beautiful setting and secluded enough to switch off. Will visit again!"
(visited Feb 2019)
"Dreamy. Waterfalls is a charming cottage in the fynbos, with a swimming hole - and swing - where children go wild, mountains of velvet fynbos behind, and walks to waterfalls and along magical paths around the estate. It is also extremely reasonably priced. We went with nine family members, every one of whom had smiles on their faces the whole weekend, and for days afterwards. Could not have asked for more. Now we're planning an anniversary celebration there. Thank you, Elspeth and Richard!"
(visited May 2018)
"We enjoyed a fantastic few days with family and dogs. The bird life is diverse and plentiful, and the swimming hole and swing great fun. Make sure your dogs are protected against ticks - there are loads."
(visited Nov 2017)
"Fantastic little spot, very relaxing. Our host Elspeth was friendly. As a group of 30-40 something ladies, celebrating my birthday, it was the perfect getaway."
(visited Sep 2017)
"A fantastic getaway with our two little boys in a Huckleberry Finn setting. There were stunning views of the lagoon, a lovely fireplace and super comfy beds. This is rustic charm at its best just a stones throw from Hermanus and Stanford. It was magical listening to nature at night among the millions of stars."
(visited March 2017)
"Visited waterfalls with the kids, and although it was raining most of the time we all had a lot of fun. Real cosy and the kids love the loft! Even in the cold they could not resist the Tarzan swing into the dam. Will definitely return in summer."
(visited May 2015)
"This has been by far one of my most enjoyable stays in a long time! A real home away from home and so many activities to do. Elspeth and her husband made us feel as if we were family visiting. The sound of frogs, birds and the wind did real good for my soul. I miss this place already and will definitely go back there very soon. Five stars for Waterfalls!"
(visited October 2014)
"We had the most incredible weekend away thanks to the kindness of Elspeth and the exquisite setting of Waterfalls - we loved having our meals on the stoep overlooking the vlei and all the birds. The house is simple but has all the bits and bobs to make it an easy weekend getaway. We also ventured for a quick 20-minute walk to the waterfalls which is just stunning and are looking forward to visiting again during summer when we will spend all our time at the waterfalls swimming. All in all a very special weekend spent with friends in a beautiful place."
(visited March 2011)
"It was absolutely gorgeous and everyone in our group agreed! We will definitely all be going again. A bonus was that my dogs good tag along and they had an absolute ball of a time!!!! Great, great great!"
(visited July 2008)
"WOW, WOW, WOW, is all we can say - we are 2 families of 4 each and have had such a great time with the Ivey's at Waterfalls that we will definitely be back without a doubt. If you are looking for 5 star luxury this is not the place for you but if you are looking for relaxed getaway (so very quiet - only the sound of the Waterfalls) where the kids can explore and be safe and you can relax in a rustic ambiance, then, this is the place for you. Lying midpoint between Hermanus and Stanford - excellent location and just wonderful all round.... Fantastic.... Take your own drinking water - not recommended to drink from taps.... Thanks Dr and Mrs Ivey - See you soon!"
(visited July 2006)
"The setting is beautiful, the backdrop of the mountains and waterfall on the one side, and the lagoon on the other. Gripes about Waterfalls was the smell of woodsmoke permeating the whole house. Linen needed major overhauling - it was dusty and mismatched. The hosts were really friendly."
(visited September 2005)
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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 • Prince Albert • 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 • Velddrif • Vermaaklikheid • Wilderness • Witsand • Worcester & Hex Valley • Yzerfontein • Baviaanskloof • Cape St Francis & St Francis Bay • East London • Graaff-Reinet • Hogsback • Jeffreys Bay • Makhanda (Grahamstown) • Middelburg • Nieu-Bethesda • Rhodes • Sutherland