Self-catering offers you the freedom of coming and going as you please and is perfect for the kiddies. You can work on a budget and still have a memorable holiday. We’ve compiled a few pointers to keep in mind when planning your vacation and listed the worthwhile self-catering destinations in Stellenbosch — nothing better than taking a break in the winelands, ending the day with a glass of wine.

Location

Location, location, location! As we all know location is key. Do you prefer the hustle and bustle of the city or a more private and secluded area that offers you ultimate relaxation. The latter is a more desirable choice for the mommies and daddies out there. Cape Town is rich with culture and offers tourists tranquil scenery.

Here are our top 5 self-catering destinations in Stellenbosch:

1. Le Pommier Wine Estate

Whether you’re a couple in need of some alone time or a family on a long-awaited holiday — Le Pommier is the perfect destination for you and only a mere 4 minutes outside of Stellenbosch. They have 1 beautiful self-catering unit with fully equipped kitchen, private braai area, swimming pool and FREE WiFi. Order items that you may need for your stay and they will be delivered to you in a basket on your arrival. Enjoy the stunning Simonsberg mountain views late afternoon while sipping on a glass of Le Pommier wine, they also do wine and food pairings.

2. Kleinbosch Lodge

Kleinbosch Lodge has spacious self-catering cottages. Featuring an outdoor swimming pool, free WiFi throughout and garden with braai facilities, Kleinbosch Lodge offers rooms and self-catering cottages 9 km from Stellenbosch (Situated on R44, Strand Road ). A spa and wellness center is available upon request.

3. Tarentaal Cottage

The Tarentaal Cottage self-catering units can accommodate up to 4 guests. Situated on a boutique wine farm, overlooking a lush tapestry of vineyards in the Stellenbosch area. This cottage is the perfect location to relax and enjoy the natural beauty that surrounds you. Take a stroll down the well known Dorp Street to find the quaintest little coffee shops, restaurants and so much more or enjoy wine tasting with many wine farms within your reach. The cottage is open plan, fully furnished with an undercover porch and braai area.  Enjoy bird watching, hiking, or mountain biking from your doorstep. Situated in Polkadraai Road, a mere 10 minutes away from central Stellenbosch.

4. Groenvlei Guest Farm

Groenvlei Guest Farm offers four non-graded, individually decorated self-catering units with private entrances. Located between the vineyards with a garden, vineyard and mountain view. The units also include remote control flat screen TVs with satellite channels and free Wi-Fi in public areas. They are situated 15km outside Stellenbosch on the Bottelary Road (M23).

5. Soverby Guesthouse

Soverby is nestled on a working wine farm between Stellenbosch and Somerset West with a wonderful view and spacious cottages for an unforgettable holiday. They offer hiking activities on the farm and a big swimming pool to enjoy during those warm summer days. Feel like having a braai? No problem, they have braai facilities as well. Soverby is situated in Annandale Road.

Tips

We all know there is a secret mom’s club where they exchange all the juicy how-to’s, do’s and do not’s and most importantly what to pack for the holidays. thestellenboschmom.co.za is one of the many resources to consult when you decide to go on a self-catering holiday, they provide child-friendly attractions and restaurants in the area.

Be prepared

First check what the place has to offer. Some places do offer washing machines, TVs, board games for rainy days, books, and a functional kitchen — and other places don’t.

Plan accordingly and remember a vegetable peeler, some zip lock bags, adapters, spices and a few towels — just in case.

Checklist

Make a checklist and tick off all items to make sure that you have packed everything. We’ve all noticed that you only remember the items you didn’t pack halfway to your destination.

Easy meals

Holidays are for quick and easy meals. We suggest picnics. Make it interesting with healthy snacks and yummy sandwiches or alternatively book a picnic on a wine estate. Le Pommier offers a variety of picnic options that will suit everyone’s taste. On your visit to Le Pommier, the kiddies can have fun at their petting zoo and you can unwind with a glass of wine.

Pack a few things from  your cupboards such as eggs, spaghetti, cereals (for the kids), milk and most importantly buy your meat from your local butcher. Vacuum pack and freeze it — to ensure it stays fresh. Lastly, remember to take the basic necessities, it can become quite expensive to buy everything at the holiday destination.

For some easy recipes check out Lil’Luna.

Take things easy

You are on holiday and it is time to relax. Leave the dishes for a few minutes and rather indulge in a bubble bath. Breathe in the fresh air of the winelands and of course, enjoy a glass of wine at least once a day.