Pool, Hot Tubs and Room to Play

Everything on the property is a short walk from the villas, and most of it is free.

Book Your Stay

Check-In

Check-Out

Guests

2 Adult, 0 Children

Rooms

1 Room

Promo Code (Optional)

ON THE PROPERTY

Made for Long, Unstructured Days

Stonehill River Lodge is a small property and everything on it is within walking distance of the villas. The pool and the play area sit in the open ground, the two communal hot tubs are down on the riverbank, and the paths out to the picnic spots start at the edge of the grass.

Most of it costs nothing. Reception keeps the board games, hires out the bikes and the fishing tackle, and hands over the picnic packs on your way past. There is no shop, restaurant or bar on the property, so the villa kitchen and the braai do the catering.

Breede River

Swimming Pool

Communal Hot Tubs

Private Hot Tubs

Braai Facilities

Playground

Trampoline

Jungle Gym

Climbing Wall

Labyrinth

Outdoor Chess

Board Games

Picnic Packs

Wi-Fi

Parking

Game Viewing

Reception

Equipment Hire

Breede River

Swimming Pool

Communal Hot Tubs

Private Hot Tubs

Braai Facilities

Playground

Trampoline

Jungle Gym

Climbing Wall

Labyrinth

Outdoor Chess

Board Games

Picnic Packs

Wi-Fi

Parking

Game Viewing

Reception

Equipment Hire

Wi-Fi

Restaurant

Swimming Pool

The outdoor pool is cold water and a dependable crowd pleaser on hot Western Cape afternoons, especially with younger guests. Swimming towels are not supplied at Stonehill River Lodge, so pack your own alongside the costumes.

Relax & Revive

Two Communal Hot Tubs

Two communal hot tubs sit on the banks of the Breede River and are shared between the five four-bedroom villas. They are the natural place to end a day of hiking or rafting, with the water running past below you.

Restaurant

Private Hot Tubs

The two-bedroom villas and the two-bedroom villas with a loft each have their own hot tub on the deck. Soak weary muscles in private after a long ride, with the mountains in front of you and the braai already lit.

Relax & Revive

Playground and Play Area

The outdoor play area has a trampoline and jungle gyms, with plenty of open ground for the little ones to run free. Children tend to find it before their parents have finished unpacking the car.

Restaurant

Climbing Wall

A climbing wall on the property is free to use and gives older children somewhere to spend an afternoon.

Relax & Revive

Labyrinth

A labyrinth is laid out on the property and is free to walk. It is the quietest thing here, and a good half hour while the rest of the family is out on the river.

Restaurant

Board Games and Outdoor Chess

A selection of board games is kept at reception, including Scrabble, Rummikub, dominoes and cards, and there is an outdoor chess set on the property. Between them they cover the afternoons when the weather turns and nobody wants to be on the water.

Relax & Revive

Picnic Packs

Walking paths run out from the property to some very good picnic spots, so Stonehill supplies picnic packs complete with utensils and blankets. Collect one at reception on your way out and take it down to a shaded stretch of the riverbank.

Restaurant

Braai Facilities

Every villa has a furnished patio with a braai. The four-bedroom villas run on gas and the two-bedroom villas burn wood, so the evening either starts quickly or takes its time, depending on which one you have booked.

Relax & Revive

Wi-Fi

Wi-Fi is available at Stonehill River Lodge. Some services and facilities may be unavailable during load shedding, so check with reception if you need to be online at a set time.

Restaurant

Game on the Property

Bontebok, eland, zebra and springbok are resident at Stonehill and you will pass them on the gravel road down to the lodge, which is why the drive in is a slow one. Bird and game watching is free and needs no booking.

Relax & Revive

Reception and Equipment Hire

Reception hires out mountain bikes and fishing rods and reels, and sells spinners, hooks, bait and sinkers. It closes at 16:30, and a night manager is on duty from 18:00 to 01:30 from Friday to Tuesday.

RELAXATION

We Know The Value Of Enjoying Some Downtime

Unwind at the Piekenierskloof Wellness Centre

Facials, full body and aromatherapy massages, exfoliation and back treatments, manicures and pedicures, waxing and tints, along with three packages that string several together over two hours or more. Treatments are booked in advance through the spa, and the full menu is at reception and in your room.

MAKE A BOOKING

Discover Our Villas

Every villa is self-catering, with a fireplace inside and a braai on the patio.

FROM R0 / NIGHT

2 Bedroom Villa

6 Guests

Self-catering villa with private hot tub, fireplace, braai area and peaceful Breede River surroundings.

Book Now

FROM R0 / NIGHT

2 Bedroom Villa with Loft

6 Guests

Self-catering villa with loft sleeping area, private hot tub, fireplace and spacious family accommodation.

Book Now

FROM R0 / NIGHT

4 Bedroom Villa

8 Guests

Spacious four-bedroom self-catering villa with communal hot tubs and family-friendly accommodation.

Book Now

ACTIVITIES

Do More on the Breede

Rafting, paddling, fishing, hiking and mountain biking start at reception, and Swellendam and Bontebok National Park are a short drive out.

Sports

ON-SITE

Archery

A supervised archery session runs Monday to Saturday with thirty arrows to a round, booked in advance at reception. It suits complete beginners, and it usually turns quietly competitive by the second end.

Booking: Reception, in advance

Sports

ON-SITE

River Rafting

Rafting on the Breede runs through Levels 1 to 3 rapids with a qualified river guide, over one to two hours, and depends on the water level on the day. Bookings are taken in advance, Monday to Saturday.

Booking: Reception, in advance

Sports

ON-SITE

Stand Up Paddle Boating

An hour on a paddle board on the Breede River, available Monday to Saturday and booked at reception.

Booking: Reception, in advance

Sports

ON-SITE

Fishing

Fishing rods and reels are hired from reception for twenty-four hour periods, and hooks, bait, sinkers and spinners are sold there too. The Breede runs the length of the property, so the walk to the water is short.

Booking: Reception

Sports

ON-SITE

Mountain Biking

Mountain bikes are hired from reception for twenty-four hours at a time, and the trails run out from the property itself.

Booking: Reception

Nature

free, ON-SITE

Hiking

Walking paths run out from the property and lead to some very good picnic spots along the river. Hiking is free, and picnic packs with utensils and blankets are collected at reception before you set off.

Booking: No booking

Nature

free, ON-SITE

Bird and Game Watching

Bontebok, eland, zebra and springbok are resident on the property and can be watched on foot. Bird and game watching is free and needs no booking.

Booking: No booking

Games

free, ON-SITE

Outdoor Chess

An outdoor chess set is laid out on the property and is free to play.

Booking: No booking required

Family

free, OFF-SITE

Movie Night Under the Stars

Stonehill runs a movie night under the stars when the weather allows. It is free, and reception will confirm on the day whether it is going ahead.

Booking: No booking

Family

free, OFF-SITE

Arts and Crafts Table

An arts and crafts table is set up for children and is free to use.

Booking: No booking

Tours

OFF-SITE

Swellendam

Swellendam is one of South Africa's oldest towns, with art stalls, coffee shops and galleries along the way, and the Drostdy Museum covering its history from the Dutch East India period.

Distance: About 23km
Booking: Independent

Shopping

OFF-SITE

Under the Oaks Village Market

The Saturday morning market in Swellendam offers up a slice of South African country living, with traditional fare, homemade arts and crafts, soaps and sweets.

Distance: About 23km
Booking: Independent

Shopping

OFF-SITE

JW’s Beekeeping Honey & Equipment

This Swellendam shop keeps a hive of honey bees behind a glass enclosure, so you can watch them at work before you

Distance: About 23km
Booking: Independent

Nature

OFF-SITE

Bontebok National Park

The smallest of South Africa's national parks holds eland, springbok, zebra and the antelope it is named after, along with 126 bird species. The roads are easy to navigate and the Breede runs through it, which makes it good for a picnic, a ride or a hike.

Distance: Near Swellendam
Booking: SANParksl

Tours

OFF-SITE

Whale Watching

Between June and December, Southern Right and Humpback whales are watched from Hermanus, De Hoop Nature Reserve and Mossel Bay, all within day trip distance. Pick up fresh fish and chips on the coast while you are there.

Distance: Day trip
Booking: Independent

Shopping

OFF-SITE

Wildebraam Berry Estate

Wildebraam lies in the Hermitage Valley about 2km outside Swellendam. In November and December you can pick your own youngberries, blackberries and blueberries, and homemade liqueurs, jams, dessert syrups and chutneys are sold there.

Distance: About 2km from Swellendam
Booking: Independent

FAQ

Is there a restaurant at Stonehill River Lodge?

No. Stonehill River Lodge has no restaurant, bar or shop on the property. Every villa is self-catering with a fully-equipped kitchen and a braai on the patio, so it is worth doing your shopping in Swellendam before you arrive.

Is the swimming pool heated?

No. The outdoor pool at Stonehill River Lodge is cold water. The hot tubs are the warm option: six-sleeper villas have their own on the deck, and two communal tubs on the riverbank are shared between the eight-sleeper villas.

What is there for children to do on the property?

Stonehill River Lodge has a playground with a trampoline and jungle gyms, a climbing wall, a labyrinth, an arts and crafts table and the Dream Xplorers badge programme. Board games are kept at reception and there is an outdoor chess set.

Can I hire equipment at the lodge?

Yes. Mountain bikes and fishing rods and reels are hired from reception at Stonehill River Lodge, and hooks, bait, sinkers and spinners are sold there. Picnic packs with utensils and blankets are collected from reception too.

What are reception's hours?

Reception at Stonehill River Lodge closes at 16:30. A night manager is on duty at reception from 18:00 to 01:30 from Friday to Tuesday. The WhatsApp line runs Monday to Friday during office hours.

Is Wi-Fi available?

Yes, Wi-Fi is available at Stonehill River Lodge. Some services and facilities may be unavailable during load shedding while the backup generator carries the property, so plan around it if you need to be online at a set time.

CONNECT

We would love to hear from you.

Fill in the fields below and one of the team at Stonehill River Lodge will come back to you as soon as possible. Everything you send stays confidential.