If you love good food, good wine, and beautiful landscapes, Stellenbosch in the Western Cape Winelands should be at the top of your South African Travel Itinerary. A pretty university town surrounded by vineyards, it is the perfect destination for cycling, hiking, wining, and dining, and with hundreds of vineyards right there on its doorstep, it is the holiday location of dreams for New World Wine Connoisseurs.

There are accommodations to suit every budget and every taste in Stellenbosch from guesthouses and B&Bs, to beautiful boutique hotels and luxurious lodges, but if you want to experience the ‘real’ Stellenbosch, one of the best ways to do so is by staying on a Wine Estate.

Delaire Graff Lodge & Spa, Asara Wine Estate, and Clouds Estate all offer exceptional accommodations, but if you are looking for something less pretentious and less costly, the 4* Spier Hotel could be the perfect fit.

Just a short ride from the centre of Stellenbosch, the Spier Hotel is situated on a historic wine farm that dates back to 1692. Surrounded by vineyards, gardens, lakes, and Cape Dutch buildings, it embodies the warm hospitality of the Cape Winelands, and while it is larger than its counterparts with more than 150 rooms, it has a friendly atmosphere and homely feeling.

Accommodations at Spier Hotel are village style and spread over six courtyards. Even the most economical Signature Rooms are huge, and they contain everything you need for a comfortable stay. All rooms have a balcony or patio, and there seven outdoor pools where you can find your own little piece of paradise. There are three restaurants, a deli where you can create your own picnic, and a wine tasting room where you sample some (or all) of Spier’s wines!

Spier is a place where you can relax and unwind or stay fit and active with endless outdoor activities, and so it’s perfect for families, mixed groups, and cyclists. There are numerous activities available onsite such as Segway tours and Eagle Encounters, and you are just a taxi ride away from the shopping and nightlife of Stellenbosch.

If you intend to spend a day or two in Stellenbosch during your trip to South Africa, give the Spier Hotel a try. It’s an affordable luxury for intrepid travellers, and you’ll never have to worry about running out of wine!

All images courtesy of: spier.co.za