Farm 215 is a small and intimate operation. There are only six guest suites: three modern freestanding fynbos suites spaced out in the middle of pristine nature; and three rooms in the homestead with a more classical feel.
All meals of the day can be served in the spacious dining area with a deck stretched out over the whole front of the building. There are about 20km of hiking trails through the reserve. A detailed map is available and guided botanical walks can also be arranged. The lap-pool of 25m is near the lodge. Farm 215 is also linked to the African Horse Company and guided horse trails of one to eight days can be arranged.
Accommodation:
The guesthouse of Farm 215 is an intimate operation. The total of only six guest-units in combination with various in- and out-door spaces guarantee ample personal space and privacy.
Farm 215 has a high level of luxury and detail and has been graded with four stars in the Country House category by the Tourism Grading Council of South Africa and is a laid back and relaxed place.
The guest-units have king-size or twin-beds in a king frame. A set of goose down filled duvets and cotton blankets cater for all surprises of the Western Cape weather. Two continental and four standard-size goose-down filled pillows per king size bed cater for all desired sleeping positions. Linen is 100% cotton-percale.
All units of the guesthouse have a deck, balcony or terrace and a bathroom en-suite with bath and separate shower as well as a fireplace or a woodstove. Soap, shampoo, bodywash and lotions are made from ingredients of fynbos-plants, the dominant vegetation-type in the Overberg and the Western Cape.
There is wireless internet connection in every unit and there is a computer in the lounge which is available for guest-use.
The guesthouse offers three accommodation-types:
- The fynbos-suite (of which there are three) is the most luxurious accommodation of farm 215. The freestanding fynbos-suites are spaced out along a meandering path to ensure privacy and undisturbed views. Built in 2006, the suites are contemporary and very spacious and consist of three inter-connected spaces: lounge, sleeping area and bath-area. A covered deck stretches out over the whole length of the suite;
- The two guest-rooms on the first floor in the homestead are divided by a hall. With large sash-windows, the spacious rooms are light and airy yet have a more traditional feel than the suites. Both rooms have a spacious balcony. The homestead is the highest-lying accommodation of the retreat and the homestead rooms have the widest and furthest of views; and
- The suite on the ground floor of the homestead is a large unit with two divided spaces: the sleeping area with a study desk and the lounge with a leather sofa and chair, fireplace and big sash windows. The bathroom opens onto a covered terrace and a private garden, filled with birds in the morning. It has a separate toilet.
Outside the private quarters, the accommodation offers various inside- and outside- places where privacy can be enjoyed, either in the shade of the courtyard behind the homestead or in a deck-chair on the shaded- or sun-deck next to the 25m heated lap-pool. A wooden boardwalk connects the pool-area to the terraces in front of the bar- and dining-area. The terrace in front of the homestead is the best place to enjoy dramatic sunsets over the ocean in summer and over the mountains behind Gansbaai in winter.
The separate building housing the bar- and dining area is open the whole day. Folding doors open the whole front side of the building to the wooden terrace in front. All meals of the day are served on farm 215 (breakfast and dinner as a matter of routine, lunch by prior arrangement) and in between meals you can help yourself to whatever you would like to drink. In spite of the large glass doors, two fire-places make it a very comfortable place in winter as well.
Semi-wild indigenous gardens surround the accommodation which smoothly change into the wild and pristine nature of the Overberg fynbos.
There is no television, neither in the rooms, nor in any of the lounges. Farm 215 is not a place for televisions. There is, however, an large book-collection on many subjects, but with a certain bias to nature and conservation as well as a “…remarkable music collection that extends from Bach to Siouxsie and the Banshees” (as was once written in an article in the Green Issue of Elle-decor about farm 215).
The guesthouse and all guest-units itself enjoy spectacular views over a remarkable area of South Africa. Look down from the guest house to the west and you’ll see the blue water of the large Kraaiboschdam in stark contrast with the green of the surrounding vineyards. Look to the South and you’ll see the white sandy shoreline and the ocean beyond the Agulhas plains. Look to the North and you’ll see repeating rows of hills and mountains (a feature the Southern Overberg is famous for). With all that visual violence out there, the place is gracefully peaceful and without clutter. yet nothing is missing.
If you wish to swallow an immense feel of nature, space, privacy and tranquillity, without compromising on luxury and culinary requirements, Farm 215 invites you to drive along the winding roads of the Overberg and up the gravel-road to the hill. However, please make a reservation; Farm 215 unfortunately cannot cater for guests without prior reservation.
Maarten explains the reserve:
“The reserve of farm consists of two neighbouring properties which have been rehabilitated to its original natural state and former glory. The income out of the guesthouse pays for the ongoing restoration activities, such as a project to reforest canyons with indigenous trees. Farm 215 is a pioneer in sustainable tourism all new buildings are solar powered and operations have been made compatible with surrounding nature. Farm 215 is the winner of the Cape Fox Award 2007 for sustainable management of the land”.
Facts on the farm:
The reserve of 800 hectares is a rare sanctuary for over 800 different plants species of the Cape Floral Region, many of which are rare or endemic. Due to the many different habitats many bird species from the small malachite sugar bird to the majestic Cape eagle owl can be spotted in the reserve. Mammals, though shy, are plentiful as well. Of the six antelope species, the Fynbos endemic Grysbok is the easiest to spot.
