Probably one of the biggest requests I get both personally and on social media is from people asking for recommendations on where to go for a weekend away. Francois and I are very lucky that we get to travel a lot. We both work in tourism and have friends, clients and projects all over the Western Cape, so we move around a lot. These are all places where we’ve paid our own good money to stay while travelling, and these are our favourites that we return to. This is my ultimate list of places to go around our beautiful city over weekends or even for mid-week breaks. I’ve highlighted prices and which places are dog, family or romance-friendly! I’ve put a lot of love in to this post, so please save it or share with friends to ensure that you *always* have the best time on your holidays xx
Old Mac Daddy trailers, camps & villas
This is the *ultimate* family-friendly spot for warmer weather. We’ve stayed at both the trailer suites and the villas. Daddy’s Hideaway is ultimate romance. The trailers and kid facilities are absolutely perfect. They are *extremely* child friendly. There is a really cool ‘beach bar’ at the lake with paddle-skis and canoes. The water is shallow enough for kids to swim and play while the parents can completely relax. They also have bicycles for family-rides and a really cool restaurant and pool. For parties and celebrations, they have a gorgeous self-catering house called “The School House” that can sleep 6 adults and 4 kids.
Price: R1695.00 – R4095.00 per night for a trailer suite (3 people) or villa.
Family: Yes | Romance: Yes | Dogs: Nope | Parties: Yes
Website: https://oldmacdaddy.co.za/stay/
Wildekrans Country House
I did a full review of this house as I loved it so much. It’s a gorgeous historic homestead that is perfect for romance, small families, art lovers and active people. They offer 2 hiking trails through the beautiful Kogelberg and offer gorgeous breakfasts. I would say that this is perfect for active couples who want peace and tranquility, reading a book (they have a big selection) at the fireplace, going on hikes, having naps and exploring the incredibly beautiful garden and grounds. We really loved staying here. They have private suites and free-standing cottages. There is so much to do in the area. We even did an afternoon trip to Botrivier to the famous pub.
Price: R1535.00 – R2375.00 per night for a suite suite (3 people) or cottage.
Family: Sort of | Romance: Yes | Dogs: Nope | Parties: Hell no
Website: https://www.wildekrans.co.za/gallery.htm
Galileo Farm
I really loved staying here because it is incredibly dog-friendly, private and romantic. I have a thing for water and most of the cottages overlook a private dam with little boats. There is such glory in sitting on your porch, lighting the fire, pouring a drink and watching your dogs play and swim in the dam in front of you. It’s magical. Note that they are 100% self-catering so this is perfect if you want to do your own thing and not see other humans at all. I stayed at Coot’s Cottage but there are a bunch of other properties on the estate, too!
Price: R1580.00 – R4000.00 per night for a cottage or bigger house
Family: Yes | Romance: Yes | Dogs: Yes | Parties: Probably
Website: http://www.galileofarm.co.za/accommodation/
There are also beautiful wine estates in the area. I personally love Almenkerk. For dining out, I love Hickory Shack and The Pool Room at Oak Valley OR the Elgin Railway Market. Hickory Shack is more family-friendly than Pool Room though. If you don’t stop at Peregrine Farm Stall for groceries, fresh apple juice, droewors and a pie then you’re absolutely nuts.
If you’re looking for a place to stay in Paternoster, then this is your best bet: https://www.stayinpaternoster.co.za/. They have loads of gorgeous houses on the website that you can search according to the amount of people you are and if you have dogs, etc. If you can’t find anything there, then try Paternoster Tourism on 022 752 2323 with your requirements. They are super nice and helpful. I was always really scared to go to Paternoster because I heard that the crime is really bad, but we have never had a single issue. The tourism in the area has obviously increased a lot lately due to Wolfgat winning awards, but please note that it is pretty much fully booked all the time, so if you are going to Paternoster FOR Wolfgat, then check with them on a reservation first. My other favourite restaurant is Die Gaaitjie which is ON the beach and has incredible food. My favourite pub in Paternoster is the Panty Bar at the hotel. The bar is legit covered in panties and you’ll have to ask them for the full story of how that all happened! These are the places that we’ve stayed at there, mostly with friends!
Son-n-See: Paternoster
I know that they say they are not dog friendly, but we asked really nicely if we could take Jack and they agreed. I find that most places will let you take your dogs if you ask super nicely or offer an additional cleaning fee if your dog sheds a lot, etc. It’s a 3 bedroom house with the living BEST entertainment area and view! Honestly, there isn’t much better than that view over the bay at sunset.
Price: From R2300.00 per night for the entire house
Family: Yes | Romance: Yes | Dogs: Maybe | Parties: Yes
Website: Stay in Paternoster listing
Lilla’s Landing: Paternoster
Again, I know it says “no dogs allowed” but they made an exception for Jack, so he came along! If you call “Stay in Paternoster” they’ll tell you which owners might be willing to bend the rules depending on what dog or how many you have. I really loved this house and we used it for a staff party. It sleeps 10 and is RIGHT ON THE BEACH. The views from the bedrooms are absolutely incredible!
Price: From R3500.00 per night for the entire house
Family: Yes | Romance: Yes | Dogs: Maybe | Parties: Yes
Website: Stay in Paternoster Listing
Zula Beach House: Paternoster
I’m going to be honest, this is my all-time-favourite place that we’ve ever stayed in Paternoster! It’s more expensive, but please splurge if you can! The other houses are also beautiful and right on the beach but this one is just truly magical. It’s *extremely* dog and child friendly. The owners have put so much love in to this house and even supply dog bowls, toys, kids beach toys etc. The entertainment area is absolutely divine and the location is spectacular. The house has an adjacent cottage so it can sleep 10 or 12 or you can book just the cottage, the house or both. It’s ON the beach and our dogs kept running down to play in the waves and coming back on their own time etc. This is a haven for parents as you can very clearly see the beach (your kids, your dogs) from the comfort of the outdoor area so you’ll have your eyes on them at all times.
Price: Cottage from R2000.00 per night, House from R6000.00 per night (sleeps 10!)
Family: Yes | Romance: Yes | Dogs: Yes | Parties: Yes
Website: http://zulabeachhouse.co.za/beach-house-paternoster/
Gordon’s Bay:
We’ve stayed in Gordon’s Bay twice and to be honest it isn’t my favourite and if we’re going away for a weekend, I’d much rather go to Paternoster. If you are pressed for an affordable spot, then check out Manor on the Bay (guesthouse) over here and Harbour View Lodge (ask for the room with the view) over here. Their price range is R730.00 for single rooms and R1198 per couple.
Other
We’ve stayed in Betty’s and Pringle Bay a few times, but again – I really just prefer Paternoster to all these other options! If anyone can recommend an affordable, family and dog friendly house in this area, then please email me so I can add it! And I know that it’s not exactly ‘weekend away’ distance but if you’re ever going to Knysna as a family then I highly recommend Knysna Hollow for kids!
I’ve heard that Yzerfontein is beautiful but I haven’t personally been there, so drop me a line if you’d like me to add you & your family’s favourite holiday spot to this post!
I could honestly lose my mind writing about how much I love Stanford. It’s so perfectly positioned on the Klein Rivier with a gorgeous country vibe, but then it’s also like 15 minutes away from Hermanus. We have stayed at dozens of places in Stanford while Francois was renovating his new guesthouse! Out of all the places we stayed, I highly recommend, of course – his guesthouse…
The Dragonfly!
This renovated old farmhouse has been in Francois’ family for 3 generations. He’s lovingly renovated it for over a year. The house is a 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom with a reading room & sleeper couch. So it can sleep 4 adults and 2 kids, I would say! It’s perfect for a family or 2 couples going away for a weekend together.
The house comes with 4 bicycles, a boat (with engine) and is situated a stone-throw from the river. It’s dog friendly and has a gorgeous vegetable garden and cricket pitch. It was a huge garden and is fully fenced, so your pups and kids will absolutely love it.
Price: Cottage from R1350.00 midweek and R1650.00 over weekends
Family: Yes | Romance: Yes | Dogs: Yes | Parties: Yes
Website: https://stanfordcottage.co.za/
Stanford Hills Estate and Africamps
Stanford Hills is so special to me. We got married here because it’s just my favourite place on earth, full of so many happy memories. They have every kind of accommodation and are extremely dog and kid friendly. The restaurant (The Tasting Room) makes the most divine food and you can watch your kids & dogs play and row on the river and have fun from the comfort of your table. Accommodation wise they have self catering cottages, a manor house (for big groups) and a sweet little trailer overlooking one of the dams. Then they also have Africamps on the farm which is very ‘glamping’ and has gorgeous views.
Price: Cottage from R800.00 per night in low season, depending on your accommodation option
Family: Yes | Romance: Yes | Dogs: Yes | Parties: Yes
Website: http://www.stanfordhills.co.za/stanford-accommodation/
