Surrounded by a soft-spike golf course, housing estate, vineyards and a marvelous mountain backdrop, 5 km south of Constantia village, this lodging opened in 1996 but has as its nucleus a 1682 manor house with antiques and original woodwork, renovated colonial farm buildings and a winery. This is the Cape's oldest wine farm.
The reception building, with a small lounge and a handful of guest rooms, was the former barn. The old manor house and another farm building are now blocks with four and five rooms. Farmhouse doors open to separate entrances lined with china cabinets, brass chests and a grandfather clock. Plush period lounges cloaked in dark woods are stocked with silver and crystal, sherry and port decanters, green plants, brass chandeliers, old books on colonial history, and vintage wall maps
and paintings.
The old winery adjoins an award-winning restaurant, Catharina's, which serves Cape and Continental cuisine under beam ceilings. It is often noted as one of the best in Cape Town. Naturally, the wine selection is outstanding, including vintages grown just outside the doors.
A teakwood-furnished sundeck is the ideal spot for taking in the mountain range. The hotel has two pools (one heated), but winery tours, tastings here and at surrounding estates, and small conferences for two dozen are the major draws. Guests have access to the prestigious private Steenberg Golf Club, and spagoers take advantage of an eclectic range of treatments, including stone therapy 
massage and facials in the four individual treatment rooms. A computer at reception offers Internet access for those without laptops.
The pleasant, understated, air-conditioned guest rooms vary from the 10 modern units in the reception building to larger and more distinctive colonial-style rooms in the four- and five-room buildings. All contain furnishings in keeping with the historic atmosphere, and some have four-poster beds swathed in Frette linens and fluffy duvets. Safes, robes, TVs, wireless high-speed Internet, minibars and plush baths are standard, and most have a nice view of the grounds or golf course. At inspection, nine bedrooms were being transformed into three luxury suites, which will offer private lobbies, dining rooms, flat-screen TVs, iPod docking stations, DVD players, and baths with 
under-floor heating and separate showers.
The Premier twin rooms are the most requested, but traditionalists should request accommodations in the Manor House (the oldest structure on the property). Pinot Gris is preferred by families, thanks to its two bedrooms and a patio that opens onto the pool. Room service operates at all hours.
The staff shows a restrained businesslike friendliness and is very helpful. Pets are turned away. All in all, this is a good stopping place, with preference given to the two plush outbuildings away from reception.