A LONG, LAZY STAY
LOCATION STYLE
On the toes of a large hill in Graaff-Reinet. Close enough to the town centre to be convenient but not so close that you can hear its inhabitants making loud plans for the evening. When building The Longhouse, someone must have said “Give me rustic Scandinavia!” Presumably aimed at groups of friends wanting a weekend getaway, The Longhouse is an agglomeration of straight lines dipped in a kind of out-of-town luxury. So while its bones may remind you of a certain rectangular, minimalist chic, its flesh is warm and gregarious. The Longhouse is an actual house so it’s equipped with a kitchen, a wonderful fireplace and copious amounts of fruit. There is also an outdoor braai area and the kind of pool that would make all your Instagram followers jealous.
SERVICE
On the surface of things, The Longhouse is self-catering but, during the day, there is a staff complement that will happily help tickle whatever fancy you may have.
THE GRUB
That depends entirely on your skills as a chef or restaurant picker. The Longhouse does have a beautifully appointed kitchen with enough fancy cutlery to make Jamie Oliver giddy. So if you’ve been bingeing on Nigella Lawson episodes, then here is your chance to impress people. Failing which, there are a number of cute little restaurants spread throughout the town.
ACTIVITIES
Being a giant self-catering house, the activities are largely based on your own imagination. Graaff-Reinet is home to the Valley of Desolation, a cacophony of pretty old buildings and a thriving craft beer scene. You’re also liable to find some delicious Karoo lamb if you look hard enough.
FACILITIES
The Longhouse is three houses that, like a sexy real estate Power Ranger, have been combined into one. That means space is ample. The bedrooms have giant beds and en suite bathrooms. The open-plan living area includes a 10-seater dining room and fireplace big enough to accommodate logs 2m in length. Good luck trying to lug a log that size into the house.
The stoep is perfectly designed for a barefoot braai fuelled by red wine. Those who get a little chilly can even congregate around a little fire pit in the garden.
The pool area, however, is the eyecatcher. Built with a very angular-looking aesthetic, it lustily whispers “pool party”. The weather may not always play ball but looking at it, it is easy to imagine a gaggle of beautiful people, nursing G&Ts around its edges.
RATES
The Longhouse is booked as a whole and will set you and your friends back about R4 620pn, depending on the time of year. ● perfecthideaways.co.za
Mkele was a guest of The Longhouse.