Bartolomeusklip

If ever there was a place to be a destination in itself, this was it. Bartholomeus Klip is certainly off the beaten track, sitting between Wellington and Riebeck Kasteel and about 100km from Cape Town, but on arriving here, you have both stepped back in time (in terms of the period details of the house) but also arrived in another world of refinement and sophistication which is most unexpected in this rural a location.

The attention to detail here is simply outstanding: each room’s décor has been meticulously curated, even the guest loo, which has its own mural to reflect the farm’s backdrop, the Waterval mountains behind. Everything you need for when you arrive is neatly laid out on a corner of your bed including a light snack. I tried really hard to spot a modern light switch but all we could find were beautifully restored and polished brass pole switches, doubtless original to the house.

One never has the impression that this farmhouse is anything but that: there is a refreshing absence of reception desks, notices to do this or do that and absolutely no tourism brochures or marketing tat lying around the place. Rather, as you settle in around the many stoeps, lawned areas or charming (and enormous) circular pool and then retreat to your cool, high-ceilinged and shaded room, you get the feeling that you’re merely fitting in with the life of the farm around you, not somehow abstracted from it as hotel guest. Should you be travelling as a family or a group, BK also offers two self catering villas on the farm.

The farm is immediately with you all around as working buildings lie just after the neat box-hedge trimmed front gardens, but not in the sense that the calm and peace of the farmhouse is in anyway affected.

One of the most glorious aspects of the farm is the enormous dam just a short walk from the main house.

Sustainability: They use solar with batteries, and all of their water comes from a spring in the mountain. Wastewater goes to a grey water system. They recycle all their glass, paper and plastic as well as food waste.

Mobility: Most accommodation is at ground level with railings at some stairs . There are no specially equipped bathrooms or rooms for the disabled.

Children: They accept children at the family houses – Heron House and Wild Olive House. No children under 16 years allowed at the farmhouse.