Bloomestate

A luxurious Zen-inspired retreat in a leafy suburb of historic Swellendam

Midway between Cape Town and Plettenberg Bay, Swellendam is a natural place to break up your journey along the Garden Route. This sleepy town in the foothills of the Langeberg mountains has some of South Africa’s finest Cape Dutch architecture, and the surrounding hillsides are home to some of the country's best preserved fynbos.

Bloomestate is tucked away behind high walls in a quiet leafy suburb, whose peacefulness it shares. The layout of its 4 low, modern buildings, separated by neatly cut lawns, towering trees and beds of lavender, was inspired by the low, sober lines of classic Cape Dutch architecture. But its design and its newly refurbished décor represent a complete break with tradition: the best of Noughties design with a big twist of Zen minimalism. Every corner of its colourful guest bedrooms and gardens has been conceived with maximum aesthetic appeal in mind, and Carla and Maarten’s fusion of state-of-the art fittings and contemporary furnishings is as remarkable as it is original.

Highs

• The leafy, lawned garden feels like a real safe haven and is really conducive to R&R
• Great contemporary design in the 7 vivid, comfortable bedrooms
• The guest lounge, dining room and bedrooms all are light and airy thanks to a maximum of windows
• Swellendam is one of the prettiest towns along the Garden Route
• Bloomestate is excellent value and you get a whole lot of comfort for your Rands

Lows

• No meals other than breakfast and light snacks are on offer; but you are right next door to a decent restaurant and there are several more good eateries in town
• You hear the faint rumble of the N2 coastal highway when sitting out in the garden