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The Cape Winelands are sufficiently compact that you can make one hotel your touring base. Stellenbosch and Paarl, situated close to dozens of wineries and restaurants as well as the major highways to Cape Town, offer the most flexibility. Here bed-and-breakfasts and self-catering (with cooking facilities) options are often less expensive than hotels and provide a better taste of life in the country. Franschhoek is comparatively isolated, which many visitors consider a blessing. The West Coast, the Cederberg, and the Overberg are much more spread out, so you'll want to stay in one place for a day or two and then move on. During the peak season of December–January, book well in advance and be prepared for mandatory two-night stays on weekends. Although the winter months of June–September are usually a lot quieter and bring negotiable rates, seaside towns get really busy (and booked up) when the whales arrive to calve. The same is true up the West Coast during flower season.
On the banks of the Klein River, Blue Gum is a wonderful place to relax away from the hustle and bustle of Hermanus. The rooms are individually decorated in a style that's part English country house, part colonial outpost. Mosquito nets, crisp white linens, and handsome wood will make you feel a little like a 21st-century Karen Blixen of Out of Africa fame. It's a lovely family-run place with an emphasis on escaping the bustle of city life.
This delightful hotel was originally built in Victorian times but was extensively remodeled in art deco style after a fire in the early 1930s. The present owners highlight its architectural flourishes and collect furniture and artifacts from this era to complement the interior. There's a palm-shaded swimming pool surrounded by lounge chairs in the pretty garden. The dining room serves an excellent breakfast and straightforward lunch and dinner, often showcasing South African staples like Karoo lamb. Ask about taking a trip along Route 62 in a classic American car.
In one of Greyton's oldest buildings, the Post House is now a convivial hotel with a cheery, small-town welcome. Rooms combine period furnishings with bright, modern touches. There's a homey restaurant, an outdoor pool, and best of all, a quaint pub housed in the old post office.
