Opened in 1802 on the site of a fire-damaged church built a century earlier, d'Ouwe Werf is the oldest country inn in South Africa, with a fabulously central location in the heart of historic Stellenbosch, and it has been run by the same family since the 1970s. This is the country's second-oldest town, founded by Simon van der Stel in 1686, the site of its most important Afrikaans university, and the booming heart of the Cape winelands, with several hundred estates situated within a 50-km radius.
Protected as a national monument, the hotel has a historic facade, from which an arched doorway and wooden doors lead into a cavernous reception hall with a wooden floor, large hardwood table, and antique furniture and old paintings for a strong Cape theme. The reception staff is very friendly and a good source of local travel ideas and information.
Centered on a shady courtyard behind reception, the in-house 1802 Restaurant is one of the best in the winelands, serving an interesting menu of Cape Malay-influenced dishes complemented by a carefully chosen wine list. There's also a shady residential courtyard with tables and a plunge pool, as well as a fire with comfortable sofas and a small library—a welcome log fire is lit
on winter evenings.
This hotel is ideally located for exploring central Stellenbosch, situated as it is a block behind Dorp Street (the longest row of historical facades in South Africa) and within easy walking distance of several museums, boutiques, shops, bars and restaurants. It is also a good base for wine-tasting tours of the various Stellenbosch Estates, as well as the Franschhoek Valley 30 km to the east.
Several types of double and twin rooms are available, varying greatly in shape and size, as might be expected of a protected old building. The standard rooms are carpeted with a wooden ceiling, antique furniture, sofa, safe, satellite TV, and en-suite tiled bath with combined shower and tub. Superior rooms have more of a historic feel, with a wooden (as opposed to carpeted) floor, leather armchairs, and (in some cases) four-poster beds with fitted mosquito netting; the baths are larger and have a separate shower and tub.
This 200-year-old inn retains a strong historical character, but this is complemented by an informal management style that makes it likeably unstuffy and contemporary. It has an ideal location for those who enjoy a bit of unguided urban rambling between formal tourist activities, or who want to explore this handsome old city's plethora of good restaurants and taverns. The rooms are well-maintained, represent good value for money by comparison to less central counterparts, and should appeal to a very broad spectrum of tourists.
