Old Mac Daddy – Elgin, Western Cape

Last weekend we were invited to spend a night at Old Mac Daddy in Elgin, Overberg. When you hear “trailer park”, your mind makes all sorts of unglamorous assumptions. We were completely overwhelmed by how beautiful, luxurious and quirky it is. Creativity is the cornerstone of this mini caravan resort. It’s like sleeping in a little 50s art gallery in the most beautiful setting – the Elgin Valley. So beautiful in fact, that the Old Mac Daddy project won a Gold Loerie Award in the Three Dimensional and Environmental Design Category – Interior Design Temporary Structures. Read more about the concept, designers, architects and process here. Really, the trailers are beautiful, – each designed by an artist, designer or creative living and working in Cape Town

Old Mac Daddy offers 10 trailer units, two lakeside units and the family-sized Daddy’s Villa. Each has themed bedrooms and earth-friendly living spaces. A big designer barn is the communal area where all meals are served. There’s also a Grolsch bar, Brinny Breezes restaurant and a swimming pool!

Traveling with kids? Our boys LOVED it there. There is so much for kids to do. There’s a big jungle gym between all the trailers, and there’s a really big playroom next to reception. It’s a really spacious 2-part room that’s half indoors, part outdoors. There you’ll find another (tractor-shaped jungle-gym), a chicken coop, tables, chairs, arts and crafts, a television, books, table tennis and boardgames. It’s right below the restaurant so that busy little kids like mine can go play while mommy and daddy do all the boring grown-up stuff (like laze in the pool chairs at the Grolsch bar). You can also book a nanny (R40 – R45 an hour) to take care of your precious little people. They’ll even serve your kids’ meals in the playroom. We had a really hard time getting our boys OUT of the “fun room” so be prepared for resistance!

There is so much room to run around. There is SO MUCH to do and explore in the area. The Elgin Valley is incredibly beautiful. If you want to fill your child’s lungs with freshly squeezed air then hurry along because you’ll all have a great time.

Are you keen to go? Does it sound a bit… expensive? They’ve got so many great deals going at the moment. Their standard rates are:

Rate per trailer: Weekends: 2 people sharing: R1350 per night (breakfast included)

Rate per trailer: Sunday – Thursday: 2 people sharing: R790 per night (breakfast included)

It’s important to note that children between 2 and 16 years of age are charged at an additional R175 per child! And Terms and Conditions always apply – check the rates on their website for more info. Give them a quick call – 021 855 0241 or email them reservations@oldmacdaddy.co.za to get more info or book. It really is worth going through on a Sunday – they’re just an hour from Cape Town and they’ll even pack your breakfast to go! Got kids? They’ll even pack them some sandwiches on request. I know right?

Important tips for parents when booking: Pack water wings / tubes for your toddler so you aren’t too stressed around the pool area. Also loads of sunblock! Book a nanny at the same time of your booking so they can organize all of that for you. There are great activities in the area and they’ll help you plan. Personally, I loved Almenkerk Wine Estate (SO child friendly) and the Peregrine Farm Stall for take-away picnics, deli treats, great wines and Springbok Pies. I loved these places so much that I’ll be doing a separate post all-together on how amazing they are.

If you’re looking for a weekend or mid-week getaway that is unusual, quirky, luxurious and breathtakingly beautiful then this is for you. The Elgin valley is filled with rolling hills, fresh air, apple trees, vineyards, farm stalls and honest country beauty. If you want to do a day trip, the Old Mac Daddy restaurant, Brinny Breezes is fabulous! Follow them on Facebook and Twitter for more info! You’ll love it if you go – and I really hope you do!

Please note that all pictures are my own! …and some by Graeme —> (He made me say this). Look out for more posts as several stunning bloggers were also reviewing. Follow the #secretSunday tag on social media for more pictures and to see what everyone else got up to!