From the exterior, the building behind the historic Cape Dutch house where current owner, Hannes Myburgh lives, and a short meander from the estate’s tasting room, the building is typical of the architectural vernacular of the time. Walls are white and high, wooden framed windows set deep into the thick walls, floors are deep rich Oregon pine and key pieces of antique furniture anchor you in the past. But from thereon, modern elements bring you right into the 21st century. Beds are vast and luxuriously layered for cold winter evenings. A massive log fire heats the main lounge, and bathrooms are sleek, white and thankfully, very non-Spartan 17th century! In summer the high ceilings and thick walls naturally cool the rooms.
Hannes has introduced some delightfully quirky elements in the form of vintage film and theatre posters to break the interior height of the walls and you’re hard-pressed not to break into a little Marilyn Monroe hum from Some Like It Hot or channel Julie Christie from Dr Zhivago. On a window sill, enormous home-grown pumpkins attest to your location on a real, working farm and your morning wake-up alarm comes from resident geese beyond a rather wild English-style garden and the fields behind the lodge. While there are two bedroom suites, the dining room (with framed life-size vintage flags) seats 14. It’s a wonderful opportunity to stay here with your family or another couple and invite friends to turn the room into a “Christmas in July” celebration or a cheerfully noisy dinner with candelabras to add warmth and light and oodles of good red wine flowing. Even more wonderful is that if you want a break from the kitchen you can arrange for lunch or dinner to be brought over from the Manor House allowing you and your guests time in the tasting room prior to the party.
The wine tasting room is a mere minute or so away and Meerlust’s exceptional line-up of vintages can be sampled and inevitably bought for lunch or dinner. You need only amble, be it a little unsteadily, back ‘home’.
Really living life on a historic estate with no commercial activity around to spoil either the deep night sky or the tranquillity of the setting.
The furniture – huge dark leather sofas and armchairs – invites you to sprawl comfortably, Sunday papers strewn about you and yes, yet another glass of irresistible Meerlust Rubicon, the estate’s flagship vintage.
What you need to know
• The Quarters works wonderfully well as a venue for strategic planning sessions or small conferences.
• Because of its location, there are no restaurants or shops in the near vicinity. The lodge has a large, fully-equipped kitchen so stock up with local delicacies that you’ve gathered in the day and feast in.
Facilities
- 2 x Bedrooms (king)
- BBQ (Weber)
- DSTV (Card supplied)
- Servicing (week days)
- TV
- Wi-fi
Guests: Sleeps 4
Check-in time: 2PM
Check-out time: 10AM
Rates: R3250 – R5000
Bookings: Contact Diana Slingers at info@meerlust.co.za