Guest House Accommodation
in Somerset West - Helderberg , South Africa

From the moment you arrive at Bezweni Lodge you feel as if you've been transported from the hustle and bustle of city life to the tranquil surroundings of one of Cape Town's prestigious Fynbos Reserves.

If you are looking for a holiday break, not too far from the city, but far enough to feel like you're away from all your problems, then Bezweni Lodge is the perfect spot. The lodge is situated above Sir Lowry's Pass Village in the Hottentots Holland Mountains. Nestled between dense Fynbos, the lodge has unencumbered views of the city below and False Bay, with abundant birdlife being the only sound you'll hear.

Due to heavy traffic, I arrived late on Friday afternoon, but was greeted by cheerful hosts, Astrid Verbist & Dave Cox who welcomed me into the lodge. The warm lounge with fireplace made for a perfect relaxing environment, with deep ample couches and a flat-screen television with satellite TV reception.

The room was luxuriously decorated, with a King Size bed, a small lounge settee and my personal TV (with satellite). The huge bathroom came with a full walk-in shower and a bath with romantic candles and a perfect outdoor view. A fully-stocked minibar was a pleasant surprise, and included luxury South African items like Biltong and Droëwors. Tea and Coffee making facilities are also available, although I strongly recommend asking the host, Dave, to make you a cappuccino, his special brew.

The Lodge has a dining area on site and I opted to eat there the weekend. Friday's dinner, a full three-course affair included cinnamon-pear salad, freshly grilled fish and home-made cheese-cake. Dining is not ala carte, so you need to arrange meals with the hosts beforehand.

While the weather did not allow me to make full use of the deck, with heated Jacuzzi and swimming pool, I enjoyed the deep tranquillity that came with the lodge. The house is not a beehive of activity with staff all over the show. No, this place is discrete. Help is there if you need it, but you're generally left to your own devices, which is exactly the way it should be.

Should you be so inclined, Dave and Astrid can arrange on-site full-body massages, deep relaxation therapy, horse rides through the Fynbos, a Golf Trip to a local course, or even Quad-biking in Grabouw. A popular water sports park is about 8km from the lodge for those who enjoy water-skiing and wake-boarding.

For breakfast, the kitchen did not disappoint, with a full English Breakfast served alongside fresh breads, croissants, cheeses, meats and preserves. Freshly squeezed orange juice and Dave's cappuccinos were included.

And to my surprise, Dave is as adept in the kitchen as Astrid! Saturday's Beef Fillet in Port was an incredible meal, and perfectly adjusted to a South Africans desire for lots of good meat! This is not "haute cuisine" here - the food is ample, luxurious and delicious.

I will admit that after visiting many hotels, guest houses and resorts, I was incredibly sad to leave Bezweni. It is not often that I have felt so incredibly pampered on a weekend. For two days I was able to forget about work responsibilities and any stress.

This, in my opinion, is exactly what a weekend away is supposed to do - give you the opportunity to forget about 'the real world' and submerge yourself into luxury.

The only question left is: When am I going back?