This gorgeous on-the-river Stanford hideaway is available already, but we await the photoshoot. Our first guests stayed over Easter and wrote ‘This place is absolutely wonderful! We can already see ourselves returning many times.’ They have since booked 10 nights in December. Meanwhile, here are a few pics to give you an idea of the fabulous location.
Stanford offers all of the features Capetonians proudly rave about – mountains and trails, water sports, vineyards and world-class eateries, breath-taking views and value for money. It also hides one of the province’s most sublime secrets, the Klein River. Waterfront properties here are “hens’ teeth”, according to the local real estate agent, so, to find one perched along the banks is essentially a privilege. It’s a predicament where you selfishly wish you didn’t have to tell anyone unless it was your job to do so.
Akkerbos River House offers something I haven’t seen too often, a triple veranda across the entire frontage. That’s three outdoor seating areas at different vantage points. The 180- degree vista is not just ‘a view’, it’s a naturally-evolving, perpetually-moving canvas, birds soaring or darting, the stippled ripple of the rivers current, the swish of the towering reeds that line the banks, and the clouds that wrap the mountains’ tops.
If you bring your kids, you can also experience some adventure. Two couples and six children ultimately beg for fishing, or multiple trips upriver in the two-man canoe, or standup paddle boarding – barely another watercraft to be seen, just the daily river cruises every few hours.
As the evening closes in, we spark up the braai, pour the red wine, prepare the meat and vegetables. Akkerbos’ country kitchen is generously stocked with all ‘mod cons’ from microwave to air fryer, premium gas hob and oven, pantry and scullery, for the serious chefs among you. Off the side of the kitchen, there is a veggie garden – also unique in its grandeur- and fun to pick a few extras for supper.
Each of the bedrooms – there are three doubles and a four-bed bunkroom – face the river. The master en-suite is spacious, fresh and bright, with a modern oval bath, and a huge marble shower that looks out onto the river with its own private patio. Interestingly, while the interior is spotlessly clean and cosy and there is Netflix and two TVs, not one of them was turned on throughout our trip.
On one of the days, we venture into the quaint village of Stanford, strolling the main Queen Victoria Street, also known as the Stanford Antique Route. Kids bought old coins and crystals, mesmerized by the sheer volume of collectibles. While Hermanus is just 25 minutes away, there’s easily enough around Stanford, everything from beer tasting at Birkenhead Brewery, to Panthera Cat Sanctuary, to wine farms such as Raka or Stanford Hills, or Misty Mountains for gin or vodka tasting. But you’ll likely be satisfied with the panoramic, privacy and the peace that a river holiday effortlessly delivers.
What we love!
- Sublime peace, quiet and privacy.
- An almost indescribable view – you’ll see what we mean when you get there!
- A triple veranda across the entire frontage – three outdoor lounges.
- Fishing, standup paddle boards and a two-person canoe.
- Access to the owner’s (expansive) ‘Veggie Garden’ to up-level your getaway cuisine.
- The Stanford Antique Route in the village.
- Attractions and stops such as beer tasting at Birkenhead Brewery, Panthera Cat Sanctuary, to wine farms such as Raka or Stanford Hills, or Misty Mountains for gin or vodka tasting.
- Springfontein Wine Farm and its 2-star Michelin restaurant, about one kilometer away. Heaven for the foodies.
What you need to know…
- There’s daily river cruises every few hours.
- If you wish to bring your dogs let’s talk… they are allowed if you feel sure they won’t cause issues with the livestock in the area, or with dipping in the river and then jumping on cream sofas!
- A useful tip: bring your rock shoes, it just makes life easier getting into and out of a slightly rocky water’s edge.
- And mountain bikes will give you the opportunity to explore the area as the roads are quiet.
- Fishing rods, SUPs and a canoe are available to use.
- Binoculars will give you endless hours of bird watching.
Reviewed by Dean McCoubrey, LuxuryTravelEditor.com
