🔆A TRAVEL REVIEW: CAROL'S COTTAGES

This weekend I went to a family gathering in Swellendam. Swellendam is a sleepy inland town in the Western Cape, with a rich history.

It is the third oldest town in South Africa, and was established in 1743, when it was declared a magisterial district. It was named after Governor Hendrik Swellengrebel, who was the first governor of the Dutch Cape Colony. Hendrik Swellengrebel was actually born in Cape Town, and was a third generation born South African Dutchmen.

By 1795 the Dutch East India Company had mismanaged Swellendam so much that the residents of the small, developing town revolted and became a Republic. With the arrival of the British in the Cape in the 1800's, the Republic was overcome, and colonized by the Brits.

Swellendam became a convenient refreshment station on the long drive up the coast. It is still such a wonderful place to stop on a road trip, or even better yet, as a destination!

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My husband Hive account@morkrock and I stayed at a the cutest BnB, Carol's Cottages. The BnB was off the main road, which I really liked. Swellendam is basically one long main road, with businesses, restaurants and hotels along the main road, and private homes and smaller BnB's off the main road.

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THE PROPERTY AND AREA

The area was very quiet, secluded and safe, which of course, are all things one looks for when looking for a place to stay.

The property itself is much larger than what it looks like from the road. Upon driving up to the BnB, one sees only the main house, and it is quite a lovely surprise to walk through the side gate into the lush garden, where the cottages are situated.

^{The peaceful garden, as seen from Cottage 3. All the way to the right, behind the tree, is the main entrance, and beyond that, the road.}

^{A sweet pond in the middle of the garden, where we met the resident duck upon our arrival.}

^{The garden was filled with gorgeous flowers and plants, and I loved spending time in the garden, drinking my morning coffee.}

THE ROOMS

The rooms were lovely and clean, and quite cosy. I would call the decor country chic, with loads of artfully distressed furniture, the most amazing, heavy, wooden doors and windows. Carol told us that they were old stables, and I think they have been converted into the most magical accommodations. Obviously, horses weren't very tall, as poor Hive account@morkrock, who is 6ft2" tall 😂, had to bend his head to go into every room. That just added to the charm of the old buildings though.

^{Moi, captured in one of the sweetly distressed mirrors.}

^{Quirky vintage furniture adds charm to each room.}

^{The heavy, gorgeous wooden door to the bathroom.}

^{Each cottage has its own lounge area, private bathroom and dressing table.}

^{The magnificent double doors to Room 2, which as I understand it, were the main stables.}

THE COMMON AREAS

I must say, the common areas are really lovely. An added extra that made the stay pretty sweet. I loved the kitchen area, which was communal. We were provided with some good coffee and a variety of teas, which was nice after a long day out.

^{The door to the communal kitchen.}

The garden had loads of spaces to chill and take in the peaceful vibes that are the epitome of Swellendam, with a cool blue swimming pool for those blistering summer days.