A squirrel scurried up a tree across the road as a man missioned across the zebra stripes that brought motorists to a slower pace. Seated across from me in Eendracht Hotel & Apartments’ breakfast room, was an older gentleman with his i-Pad in hand, laughing out loud at a video online. As Stellenbosch slowly awoke, I sat listening to vehicles passing by and observing locals as they hurried to work. I was right in the middle of it all – submerged in the Stellies life – and I loved it. I’d always wondered how it would be to live in the historic town of Stellenbosch and here I was, experiencing a glimpse of it from the comfort of one of the oldest properties in town.
A Historic Home Away from Home
Eendracht Hotel & Apartments once consisted of two properties – the fifth and sixth to be handed to two of the town’s first inhabitants. Needless to say, the quaint Stellenbosch hotel’s walls have many, many stories to tell.
Our room was on the top floor and through its white-framed windows, we could see the beautiful mountains that embrace the town in the distance – the sun highlighting its silhouette with golden hues. The room was not very spacious – as is the case with many properties in the Cape – but for two nights’ stay, it served us well. After all, when staying in Stellenbosch, you want to explore and only come back to your room to rest. True to its roots, the interiors of both our two-day abode and the rest of the boutique-style hotel, suited its heritage. In fact, the rich mustards and warm reds most certainly added to Room 12’s vintage charm. It was quaint and homey and we couldn’t help but let our minds wander to years gone by, curious about the historic happenings in and around the space we had made our home away from home for a few days.
A stay at this small, mid-town hotel includes breakfast at Senobia’s, served in typical guesthouse style, with a small continental offering and the option of a ‘build your own’ English breakfast. Senobia’s at Eendracht is positioned next to a small courtyard with a splash pool and some outdoor tables and chairs. It’s cosy and comes with walls adorned with historic pictures of the house and Stellenbosch town. Senobia’s is open to the public for breakfast and lunch, with scrumptious South African menu options. At night (except on Sundays) the space is transformed with white tablecloths and the likes, serving traditional cuisine like Bobotie and other favourites.
The Perks of a Stay at Eendracht Hotel & Apartments
Staying at Eendracht comes with many benefits. With it being located in the middle of the old part of town, it’s is walking distance from various favourite local restaurants, watering holes, shops and art galleries. It is also just around the corner from the town’s most beautiful church.
People watcher that I am, I opted for a seat by the window while having breakfast in order to have a streetside view. Here, I could sit for hours as I contemplated the goings and doings of passersby over a cup of coffee. Of course, that mostly made me want to go out and explore the town, which I did, and hence, I’ve made a list of some of my favourite shops and eateries that are walking distance from Eendracht Hotel & Apartments.
SHE by Shelley
Located in Church Street, just around the corner from Eendracht Hotel & Apartments, this jewellery, fashion and lifestyle store is one not to miss out on when visiting Stellenbosch. I absolutely adore the unique pieces they stock and will always pop in out of curiosity. They are open Monday to Friday from 09:00 to 18:00, Saturdays from 09:00 to 16:00 and Sundays from 10:00 to 14:00. Contact them on 021 882 9599 or visit their Instagram page here.
The Stellenbosch Wine Bar
Also in close vicinity to Eendracht, this Church Street-based wine bar is where we lingered for much longer than planned one afternoon, taking in the vibe of inner-Stellies and its people. Served by a young female student in vellies, we loved every moment, sipping on a glass of white wine and nibbling on the complimentary olives served as a snack. The wine bar is home to The Stellenbosch Collection, a family of wine brands by Jean Engelbrecht. Here, you can sip on wines like Rust en Vrede (the wine farm where Wikus and I got engaged!), Afrikaans, Cirrus, Donkiesbaai, Guardian Peak and Stellenbosch Reserve. Open on Mondays through to Saturdays from 11:00 to 22:00 and on Sundays from 11:00 ’til 18:00, this is my idea of a laidback Stellenbosch afternoon. Read more about them here.
LYNNÉ
This exclusive boutique – the sister store of the Pretoria-based LYNNÉ Atelier – opened its doors in Stellenbosch not too long ago and has expanded to Paarl as well recently. From stunning handbags and stylish sweaters to funky and fun tops and flamboyant jewellery pieces, you’re bound to find what you’re looking for at LYNNÉ – whether it’s for a gift or a glamourous evening out. Find the store in the Cuthbert Building in Plein Street. For more info, click here.
TO BE Gift Boxes
Just launched, TO BE Gift Boxes (also hailing from Hazelwood, Pretoria like LYNNÉ) is now also in Stellenbosch and promises to boast gifts galore for women, men, kids and everyone in between. P.S. Check out the store at its official store launch on 3 October 2024 at LYNNÉ (35 Plein Street), with discounts and the chance to win an exciting hamper, including items from Andiamo Spritz, Motherkind Co, Ring Artisan and LYNNÉ.
Burnt Studios
Founded by Pierre Cronje and Andriana Cronje, Burnt Studios came to life due to their combined passions for fitness and fashion. It has now found a home in the same street as LYNNÉ and TO BE Gift Boxes, allowing passersby to enjoy some proper window shopping, which will evidently lure them into the store for more. This brand certainly pushes the boundaries of functional fashion in the fitness space, with durable pieces perfect for any fitness, fashion or lifestyle adventure. Follow them on Instagram for a proper introduction to the brand here.
SOFIA Pizza and Pasta House
For dinner, we took a zig-zag stroll and found ourselves in front of SOFIA Pizza and Pasta House on the corner of Church and Bird Street. This is where you can taste Italy staying in Stellies. We had the most divine Neapolitan pizzas at this contemporary eatery, with the waiter ceremoniously cutting them with scissors before we dug in. They are closed on Mondays, but open on Tuesdays through to Fridays from 17:00 to 21:00, Saturdays from 12:00 to 21:00 and Sundays from 12:00 to 14:30. Keep an eye on their socials as they are sometimes closed for private functions.
De Eetkamer
Shared with a gallery and a library known as Oude Leeskamer, this is one of the eateries we did not get to during our last visit, but one that’s certainly at the top of my list for next time. It’s located closer to the Mother Church, nestled in a beautifully renovated old Stellenbosch stable. Their menu has a strong focus on the currently trending small plates, with what they describe as “diverse global flavours.” Like SOFIA’s, they are also closed on Mondays, but they are open from 12:00 to 15:00 for lunch on Tuesdays through to Saturdays, and then from 17:30 to 21:00 for dinner on those same days. They’re also closed on Sundays. Read more about De Eetkamer and its unique offering here.
Mungo
Located in Ryneveld Street, just around the corner from Eendracht Hotel & Apartments, Mungo – a true South African brand which was initially opened in Plettenberg Bay – lures those who love local and quality products in. They create the most exquisite heirloom-quality woven goods, including beautiful cotton towels, waffle weave cotton blankets, boma cloths and more. Their products are the perfect souvenirs for those wanting to take a piece of South Africa back home. Read more about Mungo here.
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT MUNGO PLETTENBERG BAY HERE
Qbar by Quoin Rock
Home to Quoin Rock’s wonderful wines, Qbar – based just off Church Street – offers wine tastings daily between 12:00 and 17:00. Here, their sommeliers showcase some signature wines, cocktails and bespoke drinks, while Chef Brenden bedazzles your taste buds with flavours that pair perfectly with whichever tipple you prefer. More about this get-together spot here.
Moro Stellenbosch
Probably one of the most beautiful foodie stops in Stellies, Moro Stellenbosch has me craving gelato long after I’d returned home. They make gelato like it was meant to be made – by hand and from scratch. Moro’s ingredients are natural and seasonal and so are their flavours, but chances are that you’ll find flavours like Pistacchio, Marchese, Nocciola and Ricotta e Fichi, to name a few. In addition to their gelato being to die for, it’s also the perfect Instagram spot. Check out their Instagram page and see why.
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