Downtown Abbey beyond the boerewors curtain

Just 10 minutes outside Paarl is a country estate that was once a stately home to the Duke of Bedford. Visitors to the United Kingdom may well know Woburn Abbey and its beautiful deer park and note the architectural similarities between the two properties. When the Duke of Bedford lived in the Cape during WW2 he built some of his ancestral home's features into his new house in South Africa.
Downtown Abbey beyond the boerewors curtain

Visiting Cascade Country Manor, the four-star graded 15-key hotel nestled in the bosom of the Limietberg Nature Reserve of the Klein Drakenstein Mountains, it is easy to see why the Duke chose this secluded and protected location.

100-year old olive groves and a waterfall

Current owners and custodians of the 100-year old olive groves, Volker and Maika Goetze are hands-on hoteliers and hosts and offer easy interaction with guests and also conduct olive oil tastings from the estate’s bounty.

Downtown Abbey beyond the boerewors curtain

Highlights include the vast glass enclosed terrace where we took breakfast even with the winter rain pelting down on the rolling green lawns while driving drops into the koi pond like machine-gun fire. With roaring burning logs and equally warm hospitality from general manager Barry and the full staff compliment, we couldn’t have been happier.

We managed to reach the waterfall, after which the hotel is named, before the rain and saw the now ramshackle remains of the original hydroelectric pump-house which act as a chapel where one can be married beside the waterfall. It is hard to imagine a more enchanting location for nuptials, which are happily catered for at Cascade Country Manor for up to 100 guests.

There are accommodations in the main homestead and in more recently built outbuildings which is where our Classic Room 14 was situated, next to the indoor heated spa lap pool and sauna suite. Wellness treatments and deep relaxation are hallmarks of this hotel and spa.

Healing breakaway

Health Weeks are offered as two and five-night packages and include breakfasts, à la carte lunches, set-menu dinners, and health-shakes which are all planned by well-known registered dietician Mariza van Zyl who will create custom packages for those with specific dietary requirements. The spa treatments include one full body massage, one detox body wrap and steam session, one mini manicure and pedicure and one aqua aerobics or Pilates class. Other elements included in the four-night package are a spa facial, a one-on-one health talk, and Franschhoek sightseeing. Owner Maika Goetze explains in a press handout: “Our establishment is right on trend for a niche market that is wellness-focused and we’re really proud to offer our third year of lifestyle getaway packages.”

Downtown Abbey beyond the boerewors curtain

Deeply quiet

We were astounded at how deeply quiet the double-glazed windows kept our room and liked the smart, contemporary and comfortable but no-frills interiors. They have the things that matter like free Wi-Fi, a salon strength hairdryer, and desk at which to work or apply make-up. The bathroom is ample although I missed a second basin and space to put things. Bring your own robes and slippers but take full advantage of the local and excellent bathroom amenity products offered.

Something that impressed us which we often don’t even see in a five-star hotel is that housekeeping straightens up the room while you are at breakfast, even on the day of your checkout. While classic rooms don’t have a tub, other rooms do, so be aware of this when booking.

Another element that impressed was the quality of cheese and charcuterie available at breakfast - a step up from the usual buffet fare.

Drawbacks include a gravel road which was fairly rough when we used it and an area leading up to the estate which is not lit at night. Luckily, dinner is offered in the hotel so no real need to venture out into the dark.

An activities manager is part of the staff and licensed to provide abseiling down the waterfall and the nearby Paarl rock as well as assist adrenalin junkies with the precipitous MTB down hill single track.

Health packages start from R4,975 per person sharing (single supplement R800) available until the end of October.

www.cascademanor.co.za

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