Mooi Bly

Just below the majestic DuToitskloof pass and on the way to Paarl sits a beautiful farm run by Liesbeth with Kallie and Lidia. This has been their home since the late 90s (in fact Kallie was here before Liebeth!) so the investment of love and care in all that time just pours out of the place everywhere you look.

There are six detached houses, most with thatched roofs, and all with cleverly arranged private parking so that your car is right at hand but all hidden out of site. There’s ample space between the houses and here a huge and delightful shady garden is laid out with winding gravel paths to navigate through it.

You’re surrounded by opportunities to cool off with a vast dam (reservoir) that lies in front of the houses or in the ample swimming pool behind them.

You have a choice of one, two and three bed houses and in most cases, there are as many bathrooms as there are bedrooms in each house. Liesbeth also is very flexible on charging, so if there’s only two of you and it just happens that only a three-bedroom house is available, she’ll do you a deal on it.

Do note that this a farm stay, so the accommodation is roomy and comfortable but not luxurious. There is no air conditioning (we visited in 38C and found the rooms cool) and there is basic television. Linen, bedding and towelling is at the two/three-star level.

Most impressive is Liesbeth’s wonderful manner with her staff and her guests, many of whom stay for literally months at a time, year after year, and are from all sections of South African society and around the globe.

Sustainability: All of their water comes from the mountain; the water goes into the dam which is used for irrigating the vineyards. All waist is recycled and brought to the Drakenstein recycling area.

Mobility: There are some steps and paths may be difficult for wheelchairs. Bathrooms are not wheelchair friendly.

Children: They accept children of all ages.