Fazenda Retreat

UNLISTED

Wow. This is a jaw-dropping location – at the end of a dirt track that peters out amid pines carpeting the lower slopes of a perpendicular mountain, two bungalows overlook a small dam. There’s no sound but twittering birds and tumbling water. Marilouise van der Merwe has totally transformed the log cabins, opening them up to the glorious views of the Hermitage Valley, cladding them in river stone and furnishing them with contemporary and upcycled furniture; Fazenda could easily grace the pages of a design magazine. Marilouise is also the creative force behind De Companjie, one of the top restaurants in Swellendam, and her guests (she also has three rooms in town) get a discount on meals there. But why tear yourself away from heaven? No TV or Wi-Fi; this is about walking, wild swimming, forest picnics, clambering into the canyon, mountain biking, cooking and braaiing, reading or just lounging and drinking in the view.

ROOM TIP The cabins are alongside each other – book Ultimate Retreat, which is slightly above Forest Retreat, for more privacy. Better still, book both (this is also the only way you can bring children – teens only, no under-13s).

COST From R795 pp sharing (both sleep two). Minimum two-night stay.

CONTACT 083-446-1123, airbnb.com