Diary of a Grand Dame

At Schoone Oordt Country House in Swellendam, we’ve always believed in the beauty of meaningful connections—whether it’s with our guests, our community, or the little details that make our space extraordinary. One such connection is with the wonderful team at Weltevrede Flower Farm, whose seasonal blooms bring life and elegance to our historic home. Their story is one of passion, perseverance, and partnership, and we’re thrilled to share it with you.

“Our destination wedding at Schoone Oordt was everything we dreamed of and more. The combination of the stunning location, intimate atmosphere, and impeccable service made it a truly unforgettable experience." Jack & Cat

We thought we’d take a moment during our quieter winter period to show some gratitude to our suppliers, the people that create the beautiful produce that we serve with pride. We very seriously support local. It’s very close to our heart. It’s a way of paying our guests’ generosity forward and helping to sustain our local country community. This month, we focus on The Earth Centre Swellendam, our corner ethically-sourced veggie, fruit, earth-friendly ingredients shop situated in The Drostdy museum complex.

We are beyond grateful for everyone’s support. Thank you! We had a good summer season and a not so bad winter season after all. Obviously not the same as usual, but enough to keep us going. A HUGE thank you for that. So grateful for our truly wonderful team who knuckle down, work exceptionally hard and pull through with huge smiles and warm supportive hearts.

Speaking of fantastic staff…

Look at what happened for the 10th year in a row! Best of the Best Traveller’s Choice 2022… This time #8 small stay in the world and #2 in Africa!

I’m sure that you’re all tired of hearing about the GourmetGetaways, but this is a quick thank you to all that joined us. Thank you for your appreciation, your enthusiasm and your support! They were a roaring success and truly assisted us in making it through these very quiet winter months.