As part of a project for a recent article I wrote for The Citizen, my family and I stayed in one of Rosemary Hill’s new cabins just outside of Pretoria. The article was about the ten best cabin escapes in South Africa and well, Farmstays at Rosemary Hill definitely falls under the top 10. Here are the 10 best features of our stay at Rosemary Hill’s Big Pod.

ANOTHER EXCITING READ: SECLUDED DESTINATIONS TO ESCAPE TO IN SOUTH AFRICA

1. In close proximity

Rosemary Hill’s farmstay cabins are located on the farm, which is not more than a 30-minute drive from Menlyn in Pretoria. It’s the perfect escape for a quick staycation and allows for some of the best experiences in nature.

2. Trendy travel

If you’re a travelgrammer like me, you’re always looking for Instagrammable stays and unique, trending travel experiences. These farmstay cabins – especially the Big Pod, which is a larger family unit – are perfectly located and have trendy interiors and impressive exteriors to ‘ooh’ and ‘aah’ about. From the LeCrueset coffee pot to the specially selected sheepskin details; from the bent frames to the quirky kitchenette – you’re definitely in for a trendy treat at Rosemary Hill’s Big Pod.

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3. Fun activities

Although you might want to hang at the cabin, if you’re staying for more than two days you might want to head out and do something. Rosemary Hill makes it quite easy with an array of activities to choose from. You can have a picnic in their beautiful, formal garden (book your delectable picnic box here), go on a horse trail ride, rent a bike and tackle one of their mountain bike trails, indulge in nature with one of their hiking or trail running courses, or book a Segway tour to do a fun lap around the farm.

4. Perfect pizzas

In addition to the lovely breakfasts, lunches and dinners served at the on-site coffee shop that is a mere 200m away, the Greenhouse Café serves some of the best wood fired pizzas you’ll find in and around Pretoria. These are served Fridays to Saturdays, and you won’t be sorry!

5. Self-catering

The Big Pod (and the rest of Rosemary Hill’s Cabinville) is self-catering with a fully equipped kitchen that allows for some fun family meal prep. The cabin also has a lovely undercover braai area overlooking grassland and pine trees. We didn’t get to it this time around, but we’ll be heading back soon for a proper S’mores-inspired stay.

6. Treats

The fully equipped kitchen is so well equipped that it even comes with a jar of homemade oats biscuits – something you’ll have to hide and ration quickly if you’ve got kids like ours. A visit to Rosemary Hill is also not a visit if you haven’t had their chocolate brownies. The bargain is that when you stay in one of their cabins, that’s what you get as a pillow present – the perfect welcoming gift. You also get a free breakfast voucher to use, as the stay includes both bed and breakfast.

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7. Safety

There are security guards 24/7 and the cabins are located in close proximity to the security gate and coffee shop, which means that even though it might feel secluded, it’s not too far off.

8. Space

The Big Pod is rather spacious, with a downstairs room with a queen-sized bed and a loft with another queen-sized bed and two single beds. Of course, with it being a cabin, this 6-sleeper lives to the outside, with ample space from the impressive concrete slab that serves as the cabin’s deck.

9. WiFi

I know, cabin life and digital detox should go hand in hand. Still, some travellers (especially travelgrammers) like to have the option of WiFi just to be able to share their experiences instantly, which is why it’s good to know that Rosemary Hill’s cabins all come with free WiFi.

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10. Acrobranch

In addition to the various activities that Rosemary Hill already provides, they have also partnered with Acrobranch – a treetop experience like no other – that operates from Wednesday to Sunday and on public holidays from 8AM to 4PM. The experience includes obstacles consisting of treetop-high ropes and tricky crossings, as well as exciting ziplines for adventure seekers, young and old. Book here.