The Credentials
Nestled within the famous Constantia Valley, just a 45-minute drive from Cape Town, is Steenberg Hotel & Spa, a luxury five-star hotel, situated on a vineyard and championship golf course. While Steenberg has acres and acres of land around it, the hotel has is quite modest, with just 21 rooms and three villas, in a series of restored Cape Dutch heritage buildings dating back to the late 17th century.
Complete with a spa, vineyard and tasting room, golf course, cycling and hiking trails, a swimming pool, and two brilliant restaurants on the estate, you won’t be short of things to do at Steenberg.
Sleep
We stayed in one of the villa suites, a bright, open room with a huge, comfortable bed, and private outdoor garden. Low hanging beams brought character, while soft greys and whites created a relaxing ambiance. The furnishings are both modern and contemporary, with beautiful African artwork, bringing a different style to each room.
There was a small kitchenette, with tea and coffee, and a mini fridge with milk and water. In the bathroom there was a luxurious bathtub, which I put to use as soon as we arrived (a storm had hit the valley, so I took shelter with a glass of wine from the estate and a warm bath), as well as a glorious shower, and two sinks.
Some of the larger villas have multiple rooms and cooking facilities, which are perfect for families and groups of friends – one even has its own private pool, the epitome of luxury.
Eat
There are two restaurants at Steenberg: Tryn, a fine dining restaurant named after the 17th century founder, Catharina Ras (or Tryn, as she was known to her nearest and dearest), and Bistro Sixteen82, a delicious tapas menu style restaurant next to the tasting room.
We were staying for just one night at Steenberg, so we dined at the Bistro restaurant for dinner and enjoyed breakfast on the sunny terrace of Tryn in the morning. Bistro Sixteen82’s tapas menu combines flavours from cuisines across the world, with everything from fresh oysters to arancini, pan-fried prawns, fish tartare, and beef sirloin. The menu really was a feast and it was so hard to choose just six dishes to share – we wanted to try them all!
The dessert was just as delicious; we shared a chocolate tort, accompanied by a variety of nutty purées and crunchy clusters, and a white chocolate cheesecake with ice cream. We even treated ourselves to a tipple to finish the meal with. I had a Paul Cluver sweet wine and my partner had a Port.
The next day we woke up early to run around the estate and were so hungry we went straight to Tryn for breakfast after. Breakfast is a table service affair. Your choice of tea and coffee is brought straight over, for you to sip while you browse the menu. We began with a fruit platter of pineapple, orange, melon, passionfruit and berries, before enjoying a warm breakfast. I had the mushrooms, spinach and tomatoes with poached eggs, while my partner had the sausage, bacon and eggs. You could taste how fresh and high quality everything was – the perfect breakfast to set us up for the day.
Out & About
In Cape Town, the list of things to do is endless, and most popular attractions are within an hour’s drive.
From Constantia Valley, you’re in the perfect place to explore both the Cape Peninsula, home to Boulder’s Beach (and the popular penguins), Kalk Bay, and right at the tip, the Cape of Good Hope. Driving back towards Cape Town you can take one of two routes: Chapman’s Peak Drive, a stunning coastal route, which winds around the mountain to Camps Bay; or an inland route, through the valley, passing the famous Kirstenbosch Gardens and more fabulous vineyards, such as Beau Constantia, Constantia Glen, and Groot Constantia.
You can also head out to Stellenbosch and Franshhoek, and explore the famous winelands, historic towns, and surrounding mountains.
But, if you decide you’d like to stay at the hotel for a little relaxation, there’s plenty to keep you occupied. Explore the local trails by foot or bike, lounge by the glorious pool, play a game of golf, enjoy a wine tasting in the breath-taking tasting rooms, or treat yourself to a massage at the spa. To make it extra special, request your massage on one of the outdoor beds, nestled between the flowers and trees. Unfortunately, due to the storm we had to take our massages inside, but it was just as relaxing, with soothing music playing, heated massage beds, and scented oils.
The Crowd
The hotel is for everyone from couples to groups and families. The team are welcoming to everyone, no matter what room you choose or who you are. And because the restaurants and wine tasting rooms are open to the public, the crowd really is diverse.
The Worst Thing
It was a perfect stay. I only wish we were there for longer to make the most of the pool!
The Best Thing
Steenberg Hotel is a luxury escape, offering complete tranquillity from the outside world. The staff were simply incredible, and made us feel so special and welcomed. The best thing for us had to be the wine tasting, where we tasted the best wines of the estate, guided by our very knowledgeable sommelier. There’s nothing better than a crisp glass of Cap Classique on a warm day in the winelands.
The Details
Rates start from ZAR 5 275,00 (£230) for a Classic Room in low season (April to September) and increase during peak and high seasons. All standard bookings include breakfast at Tryn Restaurant, a bottle of Steenberg wine, a classic wine tasting experience in the tasting room, use of bikes to explore the estate, and wifi.
Steenberg Estate, Steenberg Road
Constantia Valley, 7945, Cape Town