Constantia

Steenberg Hotel and Spa

★★★★★

Steenberg is the Constantia valley in miniature: vineyards running up the slopes of the Steenberg mountains, a historic Cape Dutch manor house, a celebrated wine cellar and restaurants, all half an hour or less from the city centre and the beaches of False Bay. The farm was established in 1682, making it the first farm in Constantia, the oldest wine region in South Africa, and its original manor house is a provincial heritage site. Today it is a working wine estate, known especially for its Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon and sparkling wines, with a modern tasting lounge, and a small five-star hotel set among the historic buildings and gardens. Rooms and suites are spread between the restored heritage buildings and garden wings, decorated in a mix of Cape Dutch heritage and contemporary style, many with views of the vineyards or the mountains. The hotel has a spa, an outdoor pool among the vines and a gym, and it borders an 18-hole golf course, one of the best on the peninsula. Dining is a major draw: Bistro Sixteen82, named after the year of the farm's founding, serves relaxed, inventive food and tapas with the estate's wines, and the hotel restaurant offers more formal meals. The location is one of Steenberg's great advantages. Constantia's other wine estates, including Groot Constantia, Klein Constantia and Buitenverwachting, are a short drive away; Kirstenbosch is fifteen minutes north; the False Bay beaches at Muizenberg and Kalk Bay are about fifteen minutes east; and the drive down the peninsula to Boulders and Cape Point starts on the doorstep. It is a perfect base for travellers who want the Winelands experience without leaving Cape Town.

Choosing a room: the heritage suites in the old farm buildings have the most character, while the newer garden rooms are more contemporary and often more spacious. Ask for a vineyard or mountain view and a terrace,. Golfers should ask about packages that include tee times.

What the stay is like: quiet, green and unhurried, with the feel of a country estate. Evenings are peaceful, and mornings bring walks among the vines and coffee with a view of the mountains. You will need a car or taxis to reach the city and the beaches, and the drive to the V&A Waterfront takes about twenty-five to thirty minutes, more in rush-hour traffic. Steenberg is ideal for a split stay: a few nights in the city or on the Atlantic seaboard, then a few nights here for wine, food, golf and the southern peninsula.

Who it suits: wine lovers, golfers, couples and food-focused travellers, and families who want space and a pool. It is less suited to those without a car or who want nightlife on the doorstep. For a calm, refined stay in the oldest wine valley in the country, with the whole of the peninsula within easy reach, it is an outstanding choice.