De Hoop Cottages offer affordable self-catering farm accommodation in free standing units and a "no personal contact" reception. We are situated 10 km out of Robertson on the farm, Laaiplaas, right at the end of the De Hoop-kloof at the very foot of the Langeberg.
Choose between:
* Fully equipped self-catering cottages with electricity.
* Equipped self-catering bush cabins with NO electricity (only gas).
The cottages, Adam se huis, Swink se huis (2-sleepers), Ampie se huis and July se huis (4-sleepers) have neat bathrooms, indoor- and outdoor braai facilities and wooden decks.
Bedding and towels are provided.
The bush cabins, Die Boshuisie 1 and 2, are 4-sleeper self-catering wooden cabins which is situated privately in a kloof and suited for the more adventurous. It offers indoor and outdoor braai facilities and wooden decks. No electricity - only gas facilities - gives the camping experience without the hassle of bringing your own tent.
No bedding is supplied.
Separate ablution block with bathrooms and scullery. Gas geysers supply hot water.
A high ground clearance vehicle (not 4x4) is advisable to reach the cabins.
The name "Laaiplaas" has got two possible origins: One is that the hunters of yesteryear used this location as a place to load (laai) their muskets for the hunt before the walk into the mountain started.
The other one is that the farm is quite hidden behind the koppie which reminds one of the small hidden drawers (laaitjies) of antique dressing tables.
The farm was originally used for grazing under the old grazing permit system. The first Deeds of Transfer were registered around 1907 which is also the year in which the main house was built. After changing owners a few times, the farm has now been in the family since 1965. The first farmers survived the initial development stages of their vineyards and orchards by planting Calabash as a cash crop. The dried calabash were in demand for various household items such as bowls and dry goods scoops and small ones were used for darning socks, but the main demand was to produce quality necks for Calabash smoking pipes. Later when the calabash became less popular the main crops were fruit, which was mostly dried for export, or sold to jam factories, and wine grapes which the farmers had to process into wine in their own cellars. This system lasted until large co-operative wine cellars, driven by the escalating cost of production, became the norm. Today the farm produces mostly fruit and a bit of vegetables.
Still to be seen on the farm is the old wine cellar from the years of cultivating vines, and the old stable where sheep, a few cattle and a few horses were kept.
Apart from breathtaking mountain views, guests can enjoy nature, do some bird watching, go for a hike on the farm or in the kloof to reach clear mountain pools and have a swim in the dams. Or you can just sit on the deck and enjoy the peaceful surroundings. The farm is only 10 km from town and 15 minutes’ drive from all necessary shops if need be, as well as all the wine cellars that the valley is renowned for.
