Things to do in South Africa

Stay at The Robertson Small Hotel, a historic Victorian manor

Built in 1909, the house is now classed as a National Monument and features original Victorian architecture …

By June Bouwer

General Manager, The Robertson Small Hotel

Stay in a historic Victorian manor house at The Robertson Small Hotel. Built in 1909, the house is now classed as a National Monument and features original high embossed ceilings and large windows that look onto the veranda. The previous owner, Tannie Em, was a passionate gardener, even going as far as to steal plants from all over the world and smuggle them back to South Africa. Tannie loved a drink on the veranda, so we’ve celebrated her spirit with our vibrant EM Bar.

Our location is beautiful. Set in the country town of Robertson, we’re surrounded by the arid, rambling hills of the Klein Karoo. However, when you enter the hotel gardens it feels like a secret oasis filled with flowers and cacti, despite being right in the centre of town. There are two tranquil pools and a wellness room in the garden where you can enjoy massages and beauty treatments.

We’ve worked closely with over 30 designers such as the acclaimed Sophie Ashby to ensure every detail of our hotel experience is unique. Our double en suite rooms echo the original Victorian architecture but have been refurbished with a modern, light touch. Guests can choose between a room in the manor house or our pool and garden suites. We’ve worked with Art Gazette X Norval Foundation to bring joy and wonder into every room, showcasing work from both established and up-and-coming artists.

Guests can dine at The Small Restaurant which offers a seasonal menu, with ingredients that are locally sourced. Our wine list supports independent growers in the valley and at Em Bar, you can also order high-end cocktails, craft gins and whiskies. We’ve worked with our community to create The Small Guide to the Robertson valley. Our guests tell us that they love the Robertson staff, who are exceptional at what they do and have the brightest smiles.

Available in these itineraries…

Itinerary

Route 62 Cape Gourmet Self-drive
by Becky Souissi

Length15 Days

Price range£5,375 - £5,895pp

Alfred & June Bouwer

June Bouwer has over 15 years' experience in the hotel industry. Her career started in Franschhoek at the Grand Provence Wine Estate, where she managed the owner’s cottage; she has also worked for the prestigious Leeu Collection, Sibani Lodge and Jan Harmsgat. June has now been general manager at the Robertson Small Hotel for six years and loves working with the hotel’s unique and talented team.

June Bouwer, General Manager of The Robertson Small Hotel

Plan your holiday withAlfred&

Your journey will start with one of our UK team – someone like Laura, who's travelled extensively in South Africa. They’ll shape your ideas into the trip of a lifetime. But they won't do it alone. They'll draw on the expertise of our contacts on the ground, connecting you to the people who'll make your holiday one you'll always remember - ex banker who can show you the hottest foodie spots in Cape Town, the award-winning young sommelier who can introduce you to Stellenbosch's finest wines and the walking safari ranger who can guide you to the best game.

Laura Preston

Travel Expert for Alfred&

Having travelled extensively through Africa, Laura has a wealth of experience. She is passionate about Tanzania’s diversity from the quiet wilds of Ruaha that feel completely private to the silvery sands of Zanzibar and Stone Town’s spice-laced streets. In South Africa, she sought out the best views over Table Mountain, cocktail in hand, as well as the lesser-visited Kruger conservancies for more exclusive safaris. But her favourite place in the world has to be the Serengeti for its wide-open plains and incredible game that epitomise that feeling of Africa.
Wayne Howarth

Head Safari Guide at Kariega Game Reserve

Wayne loves being outdoors and has spent most of his life between the family farm and working on Private Game Reserves in the Eastern Cape. He has been guiding at Kariega for 12 years. His qualifications include Field Guide Association of South Africa (FGASA) Level 2, Advance Rifle Handling, Skippers Licence Category R and first aid. One of his career highlights was becoming a finalist in the 2021 Safari Guide of the Year competition.
Rupesh Kassen

Founder and guide of Eat Like A Local

Rupesh Kassen abandoned his decade-long career in banking to move to East Africa, where he trained and worked as a chef. He later became immersed in South Africa’s food scene and worked as a food critic before setting up Eat Like A Local in Cape Town. Rupesh now offers guided food tours to showcase the city and its diverse culture and history through food.
Fundi Ziqubu

Sommelier

Fundi was born in Durban and fell in love with wine when it was introduced to her by a few Capetonian friends. On discovering her passion she got the chance to study wine with the department of tourism in collaboration with the Sommeliers Academy. Being appointed sommelier at Lanzerac was a career highlight and in 2019 Fundi was named most up-and-coming wine steward by the Distell Inter-Hotel challenge.
Ntobeko Ntshingila

Duty Manager at Three Tree Hill Lodge

Ntobeko has been part of the Three Trees family for 13 years and describes it as a lovely journey with lots of room for growth and experience. She has her own family, including a daughter of 18, and a son, aged three. She lives in a nearby village with her parents, four siblings and three nephews. When not spending time with her family she manages her broiler chicken business, which brings her extra income.
Cheryl Blackburn

Owner and guide, Three Tree Hill Lodge

Being born in the Kruger National Park instilled in Cheryl a love of nature and wildlife. Having lived and worked as a guide in the Kruger reserve, and also in Botswana, she eventually got the opportunity to run her own lodge, with her growing family, in the lush KwaZulu Natal Drakensberg region. She still finds time to guide guests on foot, tracking white rhino in the neighbouring Spioenkop Game Reserve.