Hemel-en-Aarde means heaven and earth - and the valley is aptly named. Having bought the vineyard Holly and Simon were keen that others should be able to share with them the beauty of the estate, and they transformed a former farm cottage into a gorgeous, secluded, five-room lodge.
Most visitors stop for a delicious wine-tasting platter, paired with a glass of Sumaridge fine wine, in the cellar’s elegant tasting room, before driving through lovingly-tended vineyards down to the lodge.
The main lodge has four en-suite bedrooms, all with brushed-oak flooring and four poster beds; each is gently themed to an indigenous flower. The very spacious rooms also boast private patios or balconies. There is also a separate wheel chair friendly suite. The house is very child friendly.
The décor has a contemporary feel with just a touch of Africa.
Holly said “the beautiful landscape is reminiscent of the west coast of Scotland or Ireland, Simon and I wanted to evoke a |
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sense of being in Africa”. The whole property boasts a collection of original artworks, all sourced from local artists and the galleries of Hermanus.
The lodge has a spacious open plan living room and dining room with an open fire for cool winter nights. There is a fully fitted kitchen with - not surprisingly - a well stocked wine fridge! Holly goes on “Almost all our guests could be classed as independent travellers who appreciate the flexibility of a self-catering option, as well as being able to enjoy the first class eateries both in the Valley and in Hermanus.”
There is much to do without even leaving the estate, with hiking through the fynbos, mountain biking, fishing and bird watching - the estate boasts several breeding pairs of blue crane - the national bird of South Africa.
“It’s a house that has been designed for house parties” says Holly, and goes on “whether its enjoying a “sundowner”, curled up with a good book, regaling friends with tales of the “one that got away”, lazing in the Jacuzzi, cooking up a braii in the fire pit, or going to war on the boule court, when it comes to early evening, all our guests young and old seem to gravitate to the veranda and it becomes the heart of the house.”
For more information or to book the lodge please click here to contact us - we look forward to welcoming you to Hemel-en-Aarde.
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