A Knight's Stay - Self Catering Somerset West

It’s hereditary, this thing about me not doing sleepovers. I prefer sleeping in my bed with my ancient down pillow. That’s the first thing that comes to mind when I must sleep out: my pillow. The other is packing all my toiletries. I inevitably forget something at home. This time it was toothpaste.

My prerogative. But for a weekend away, my principles can be flexible. We were encouraged to book Kinky Boots at the Fugard Theatre in Cape Town, with instructions to stay overnight, enjoy some lovely meals, and browse the shops for early Christmas gifts and so on. Then a business appointment made it imperative. I didn’t do any shopping, but I had the lovely opportunity to browse the antique shops, bookshops, the street market, Greenmarket Square, and art galleries on Long Street. Suited me. I saw my favourite Tanya Swiegers portraits in real life and loved the etching of the little boy in the red hat; he reminded me of my Danny.

I managed to narrow my selection to just two books. I reluctantly settled on Marguerite Poland’s new novel, A Sin of Omission, and an anthology by Leonard Cohen, Book of Longing, from Clarke’s Bookstore, also on Long Street. I love the dusty, slightly musty smell as you step inside, and the overwhelming number of books from floor to ceiling, covering walls, tables, and chairs. It still sells mainly South African authors’ works, with a selection of previously loved books from all over.

The show was exceptional. We hadn’t been to a show in a long while, let alone to the Fugard. We arrived early and wandered up the street to the bar Dias on the corner, which has grown up and is now a proper Portuguese restaurant, so reminiscent of Maputo. Of course, we had calamari heads and prawn croquettes with our drinks. The show was extraordinary. But that’s enough of that. Go and see for yourselves.

We were spending the night at A Knight’s Stay in Somerset West. From the moment we stopped and rang the bell, we felt “at home” and very welcome. Secure on-site parking always gives me peace of mind.

The welcome sign at the gate was pleasing, and I immediately got the impression that a lot of thought and care had gone into preparing our guest suite—a beautifully appointed space, light and airy, with a view of the garden and swimming pool, perfectly positioned near local attractions.

On the workspace was a comprehensive file containing house rules, emergency telephone numbers, what to do in the area, where to shop, and a selection of restaurants, etc.

I am a stickler for atmosphere and can often pick up vibes; I must honestly say my hackles did not rise. Instead, a warm, fuzzy feeling of comfort and reassurance settled over me as we settled in, unpacked, and rested.

Guests can use the pool and spend a lazy afternoon sunbathing or reading a book. As the sun settled and drew water, we relaxed with our sundowners from the very well-stocked honesty bar before enjoying our pizzas on the patio. A nifty Pizza oven was at our disposal, as well as a large gas griller for a regular braai. Wood can be ordered beforehand.

It was a weekend of excitement as the Springboks played in Japan, and we were all nervously excited. Adjacent to our rooms is a sitting area where guests can watch television, have meals, or work on their laptops at a desk or workstation. It was very spacious and comfortable. This was an added attraction when we made our reservations, and we enjoyed being able to watch the weekend’s sport without having to go off to a pub in the village. The Springboks defeated Japan, as expected, of course!

I could tick all my boxes: free Wi-Fi, a good shower with scalding water, and roominess. I luxuriated in the fluffy towels, refreshed every three days.

Finally, I am a reader, and one of my pet hates is a bedside lamp 6” tall that only illuminates a small patch on the bedside table and often has a lopsided, dark shade. These standing lamps were tall, and the light was excellent. I read with a smile.

Now, the highlight. The bed was fantastic. I can’t remember ever sleeping so comfortably in a stranger’s house. It was brilliant. Butch and I both remarked on how well we slept and woke up refreshed, with not a muscle out of place. Bravo! The best rest ever. I am a sucker for light, especially sunlight streaming into a room in the early morning, and that happened here. I felt at home as I opened the blinds and saw the blue water of the pool and the chug-chug of the Creepy Crawly sweeping the floor. Complimentary coffee and tea are provided with rusks, which we enjoyed on the patio.

A Knight’s Stay is listed on Airbnb at a very reasonable rate, given the location, the beautiful suite, the added extras, and the cherry on the cake: that BED! This suite comes highly recommended, and I do so with confidence. We’ll be back; it might be awhile, but who knows, maybe we can splurge and book another show in the new year.

Conveniently situated just a few blocks from the Main Road, near the village, hospital, and convenience stores, we made our way home on Sunday in just over an hour, which was a first. This could be the perfect choice for a business trip, a midweek stay, or a longer trip for a single person or a couple out and about, enjoying what the Cape Winelands has to offer.

“The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeing new landscapes, but in having new eyes"!