THE HAZENDAL
CRITIQUE MY STAY RATING: 9.5/10
AVG. NIGHTLY RATE: $400
The Hazendal Wine Estate boasts a rich history that dates all the way back to its establishment in 1699. While some of the buildings date back to the 18th century, The Hazendal hotel is the newest addition to the already impressive collection of buildings, activities, and offerings of the estate. The 5-star luxury property opened in the fall of 2023 and with just 34 rooms it provides the incredible personalized level of service that you dream about receiving in a boutique hotel while offering some of the best amenities any large property could ever provide. Our three night stay at The Hazendal was nearly perfect.
LOCATION
8.5/10
Nestled amid the scenic Bottelary Hills on the edge of the Stellenbosch wine region, about a 30-minute drive from Cape Town, The Hazendal’s location is divine if you are planning a retreat during which you don’t want to leave the remarkable property. And trust us, you really don’t need to (see the Amenities section below). However, if you do have the desire to explore any of the activities or sights in nearby Cape Town, Stellenbosch, or Franschhoek, just know that you are likely to be a 15 to 60 minute drive away. That being said, we did pay visits to nearby wineries, restaurants, and the town of Stellenbosch and found it to be relatively easy and affordable to get around with Uber, and driving through the beautiful wine country was a delight. Whether you decide to stay on property or venture out, there is no denying that The Hazendal is located in a really beautiful area that you are going to enjoy being in.
AMENITIES
9.5/10
GYM 9/10
The Hazendal’s gym featured brand-new top of the line equipment in a really nice setting, making it one of the best gyms we have been to for a hotel of its size. The cardio section had machines equipped with HD screens for online sessions and guided training routines, including 2 treadmills, 2 bikes, an elliptical, and a rowing machine. The strength training options were a bit more limited but the bench with free weights and the all-in-one strength machine gave us some great workout options, though the machine was missing a few of the standard attachments. The spacious, air conditioned gym had a lot of natural light, with large mirrors and windows creating an inviting atmosphere. There were also bottled water, towels, and apples provided.
SPA 9/10
We did get to visit the spa for a treatment during our stay. In addition to being a nicely decorated space, the spa offered some great views of the property’s fountain and the surrounding mountains. There were three treatment rooms (one dual and one single room), a private outdoor relaxation space, a hammam, and a nail studio. The service offerings are generally what you would expect from a high end spa and the prices were reasonable for a hotel of its caliber.
POOL 9.5/10
The central courtyard at The Hazendal serves as the focal point of the property. The hotel’s amazing heated outdoor pool was incredible and the surrounding space, which was lined with chic outdoor lounge chairs, umbrellas, and pergolas, created a laid-back and luxurious environment for hotel guests to spend a morning, afternoon, or the entire day. Food and drinks could be ordered directly to your lounge chair and because only hotel guests are allowed to enjoy the pool, the tranquility of the space is maintained. Our time relaxing by the pool was one of our favorite parts of our stay.
OTHER
I’m not quite sure we have stayed at a property with such an extensive offering of “other” amenities. In addition to the gym, spa, pool and restaurant, The Hazendal hotel also has a reading room, a 16 person cinema room, a bar, a cigar lounge, and conference rooms, to go along with gallery quality art and art installations around the building. But those amenities are just what is inside the 34-room hotel. The Hazendal Wine Estate also offers hotel guests the opportunity to enjoy its golf course, vintage car exhibition, wine tours and tastings, vodka tastings (because they also make vodka on the property), jazz club, the gorgeous and historic Cape Dutch Homestead which guests can arrange a tour of depending on availability, and its Marvol art gallery which showcases the work of South African artists. The estate is also home to the Wonderdal kids' playground, a really cool place for kids to run around and engage in immersive experiences. We partook in many of the activities on the property including eating at the Deli, going for a wine and vodka tasting at the wine-making facility, strolling through the art gallery, watching a sporting event in the cinema room, and taking a quick look at the stunning exhibition of luxury vintage cars. We couldn’t believe that these activities were just steps from the hotel and that we were able to enjoy them all during our stay - it really added to our overall experience. The amenities at The Hazendal are world-class.
ROOM
9.5/10
We booked a Superior Room, the hotel’s base room, but were given a one-category upgrade to a Luxury Room upon arrival. The excellently decorated room exuded luxury - from the high end furniture, to the abstract modern art, to the bedding, to the heated floors and towel rack in the bathroom, no detail was missed. The bed was very comfortable and the small desk offered a great place to get a few work projects done. The modern bathroom had both a tub and an awesome walk-in rain shower to go along with a double sink countertop. The towels and bathrobes were of very high quality and the bathroom products were from Africology. The private outdoor terrace overlooked part of the golf course and the fountain and had a nice view of the mountains in the background. The complimentary bottle of wine and the homemade sweets left in the evenings were really lovely touches and made us feel even more welcome. Overall, it was an excellent room that provided for an incredibly comfortable stay.
BREAKFAST
9/10
Breakfast was included with our stay. The hotel set up a very nice buffet featuring cold items and offers an a la carte menu to complement it with hot plates. The buffet spread included fresh fruit trays, cheese platters, individual charcuterie boards, fresh squeezed juices, and an array of homemade bread and pastries. The a la carte menu featured egg-based dishes and other elevated options such as croque madame waffles and buttermilk pancakes adorned with caramelized dates and bananas. The focus on high quality ingredients and offerings was evident and it was nice to not have to think about what to do for the first meal of the day.
RESTAURANTS NEARBY
If you’re looking for good food in walking distance, here are some Eat My Critique approved options:
Hazendal Restaurant (in the hotel) - High end restaurant serving contemporary internaitonal cuisine.
The Deli (on the hotel property) - Casual but nicely done food at very reasonable prices.
If you are looking for good food that’s worth the drive, here are some options:
Eike by Bertus Basson (20 minute drive) - Unpretentious fine dining, rooted in authentic South African style.
The Fat Butcher (23 minute drive) - Stellenbosch premium steak restaurant and butchery located in the heart of the town. Not your average steakhouse.
The Vine Bistro (25 minute drive) - Classic French bistro food with a modern twist.
La Petit Colombe (50 minute drive) - Fine dining that is sure to impress. Going for lunch is a great option as it is less expensive and also on a beautiful wine estate that offers incredible views.
To check out all of the Eat My Critique reviews from around the world, click here.
THINGS TO DO
Stellenbosch, South Africa, is known for its rich history, beautiful landscapes, and vibrant cultural scene. Here are some things to do in and around Stellenbosch:
Wine Tasting at Karibib Wine Craft (15 minute drive) - A wine-tasting venue situated on the outskirts of Stellenbosch, offering breathtaking views of the wine region and wines made by a variety of winemakers on the property.
Stellenbosch Town (20 minute drive) - Take a stroll through the town's historic streets, filled with Cape Dutch architecture. Dorp Street is particularly known for its well-preserved historical buildings.
Art Galleries (20 minute drive) - Stellenbosch has a thriving art scene. Explore local art galleries such as the Rupert Museum and the Stellenbosch Art Gallery.
Hiking and Nature Trails (30 minute drive) - The Jonkershoek Nature Reserve offers stunning hiking and mountain biking trails, providing breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains.
VERDICT
We loved our stay at The Hazendal and were very impressed with the level of care and service offered by the hotel’s staff who made our stay extremely memorable. It is not an inexpensive place to stay but from the moment we arrived, we felt that the price paid was appropriate for the exceptional experience. The Hazendal is a great place to celebrate special occasions, relaxing getaways, or even as a place to unwind after a long safari. There is no doubt in my mind that we will be back at this hotel the next time we visit Cape Town.
Bottelary Road New entrance from Ronelle Street via, Kruis St, Stellenbosch, 7599