Old Mill Lodge & Restaurant

Budget Getaways Review

Head out of Oudtshoorn towards the Swartberg Mountains and you’ll soon enter the dramatic scenery surrounding Schoemanshoek. Here the Groblaarsrivier cuts its way through the mountains, creating a lush and fertile valley surrounded by craggy karoo slopes. The Old Mill centres around the farm restaurant and an appealing array of accommodation options.

Kicking off with the lodge rooms, here you’ve got Double Rooms and Family Rooms. The Double rooms are open plan, sleep two and lead out onto private balconies. Bathrooms are ensuite and each room has a private balcony. There are tea and coffee making facilities, a fridge in each and aircon. The Family Room is a similar setup, but has two separate bedrooms (twin and queen). All have linen and towels included. All are situated within an easy stroll of the restaurant.

For the self-caterers, you’ve got two options: Self-catering Units for two with queen bed and well-equipped kitchenette or Family Self-Catering Units which sleeps four and have two separate bedrooms. Both family and two-sleepers have a lounge and dining area, as well as a balcony leading down onto expansive lawns. Portable braai’s are available, all towels and linen are included.

If you’re wanting to be close to the water, opt for the waterfront units, dotted along the edge of the farm dam. Options are a Family Waterfront Unit or the more romantic Honeymoon Waterfront Cabin. Modern decor, spacious rooms and bathrooms (free-standing baths in the luxury units) as well as wooden decks out over the river make these a real win. For families, if you’ve got toddlers, the proximity to water could be an issue. For the romancers, you’ve got plenty of privacy and gorgeous views out over the mountains.

Last up are the safari tents. Luxurious and fully decked out with ensuite bathrooms (free-standing bath in the luxury units), comfortable beds, quality linen, TV, aircon and electric blankets. Each tent is fronted by wooden decks overlooking the river and mountains. Tents cater for both couples or families, with the family tents having a double sleeper couch for kids in the living area.

Apart from whiling away time at the farm restaurant, which by the way has a daily buffet breakfast on offer, there’s enough to keep you all busy here. Boats and fishing on the dam, hiking trails, play area, a trampoline, kids zip-line, as well as ponies and rabbits to visit. Dad could head off on a 4x4 trail or mountain bike route. The Cango Caves and Swartberg Pass are also within each reach for day trips.

The Old Mill Country Lodge is a great location for groups, families or couples with everything on site and a platter of accommodation to choose from. A getaway that has it all.