Oude Werf Hotel 

A historic boutique hotel with modern flair in central Stellenbosch.

At the centre of Stellenbosch’s collection of shops and eateries on Church Street, this boutique heritage hotel is a gem for both character and convenience. A newer extension complements the classic façade, and it’s delightfully quirky within too. Think chandeliers, mismatched chairs and colourful prints in a blend of old and new. Eco-conscious travellers will also be pleased with the hotel’s efforts to recycle waste, generate solar energy and preserve a tree in building the extension – which takes pride of place in the middle of the restaurant and shoots through the roof.

The hotel is minutes from the town’s plentiful amenities, but the ambience here is easily suited to spending a few hours with a book and a coffee in the courtyard for longer stays or after exploring town. In the restaurant, you can devour old favourites as well as South African specialities like bobotie, a moussaka-like baked dish of minced meat and egg topping, as well as sample some of Stellenbosch’s famous wines.

Spacious and individually designed, rooms are full of character with distinctive prints and exposed brick walls. Comfy Rooms are comfortable and contemporary, while Whimsy Rooms are a natural choice for guests looking to enjoy a more historic setting with high ceilings. Plenty Rooms are the largest, and selected rooms have a patio or furnished balcony.