La Plume Boutique Guest House
La Plume Boutique Guest House is a Victorian homestead situated on a family-run working ostrich, alfalfa and cattle farm. Encompassed by lush green terraces and landscaped gardens, it offers spectacular views of the Swartberg Mountains and the Olifants River Valley.
La Plume provides stylish luxury with a diverse range of accommodation to suit a variety of needs, from Luxury Rooms, Honeymoon and Superior Suites to a Private Villa and Cottage, the experience can be tailored to meet every guests’ desires. With private entrances, sunny verandas and elegant, comfortable antiques, each of the 20 individually furnished air-conditioned units offer satellite television, free WiFi, minibar and abundant comforts. Guests are invited to join the owner for an informative tour of daily life on the farm and are invited to ask questions to an expert in the ostrich industry.
La Plume Boutique Guest House, Volmoed, Oudtshoorn, South Africa
La Plume Boutique Guest House is located 15km from the centre of Oudtshoorn, the principal town of the Klein Karoo, and one that came to prosperity during the boom of ostrich feather trade in the late 1800s. Sometimes referred to as the ostrich capital of the world, many farms and specialised breeding centres still exist in the area. As recently as 2012, there were a recorded 200,000 ostriches in the area spread across some 500 ostrich farms. The C.P Nel Museum located in the former Boy’s High School, houses exhibits displaying the role of the ostrich trade in the town’s history, as well as the cultural history of the region.
La Plume Boutique Guest House is accessible to guests by car, if flying into George Airport, the N12 route towards Oudtshoorn which takes visitors through the stunning Outeniqua Pass is highly recommended. If travelling from Cape Town, the R62 towards Calitzdorp also offers stunning vistas.
- Situated on a working ostrich, alfalfa and cattle farm
- Guided tour with the owner of the farm
- Saltwater swimming pool
- Spa, which offers decadent treatments and specialised packages
- Suites complete with private verandas
- Restaurant and deli
- Honesty bars available
The Klein Karoo has a semi-arid climate, meaning the days here are often clear and dry. The Langeberg and Outeniqua Mountains protect the valley of the Klein Karoo from most of the rain that characterises the coastal plains to the south. The Klein Karoo is a topographically varied and complex region with its mountains, valleys and rocky mesas, allowing the formation of 55 distinct habit types, which means that some plant life found here is native only to the Klein Karoo and can’t be found anywhere else in the world! This incredible plant diversity is only possible because here, in the Klein Karoo, the mega-ecotone of the Succulent Karoo and Cape Floristic provinces collide and intermingle. This topographically varied and complex region with its mountains, valleys and rocky mesas, is home to 55 distinct habitat types, which means many of these plants are found only in the Klein Karoo and nowhere else in the world.
The warmest months are from January until May, where temperatures average at around 26°C with little rainfall. The cooler months of June to August, with an average temperature of 17°C, may give travellers more comfortable temperatures for exploring the hiking trails of the Klein Karoo.
Located along the west side of the main homestead, the 5 superior suites offer a true taste of luxury, each one has a private entrance which opens up onto a sunny veranda overlooking the expansive verdant gardens. The rich leathers and hardwood flooring accent the antique furnishings of the room, and enhance the decadence of the spacious rooms, reaching a perfectly complementary combination of rare luxury and modern comforts. The separate lounges provide a soothing space to enjoy the views or watch a film after a long day of exploring. Each suite can sleep 2 adults and up to 2 children can be accommodated for.
The Luxury Rooms uphold the same high standards as the rest of the guesthouse, with carefully chosen antiques and personalised Persian rugs in each room. Take your morning tea or coffee on the private veranda, or enjoy a drink from the honesty bar as you watch the sunset over the stunning valleys and silhouetted Swartberg Mountains in the distance. Each suite has a bathroom complete with a separate shower, claw-foot tub and antique double sink vanity unit, the unique tiled floors have underfloor heating.
The Luxury Family Rooms also offer a separate lounge with a single bed, perfect for a third adult travelling or an older child who wishes to have their own room.
The Honeymoon Suite offers the perfect combination of opulence and modern convenience; the warm tones used to furnish the room alongside crisp white linens, offer guests a private respite from the rest of the guest house. The bay windows offer guests a view of the magnificent Swartberg mountains, luxuriate in the Victorian bathtub with a complimentary port or watch the sunset over the expansive gardens from their private veranda.
The Plume Cottage consists of two conjoined suites, each with their own bedroom, full bathroom and lounge with a kitchenette shared between the two suites. Each bathroom boasts a Victorian-era bathtub, separate shower and double basin antique vanity. The Plume Cottage sleeps up to 4, so is ideal for a family or larger group travelling together. The communal living area and stunning private veranda also allow for guests to relax in a beautiful, but comfortable, environment.
The Private Villa offers guests the chance to experience a more authentic take of life on a working South African ostrich farm. Located just across the lane from the main entrance, and close to the Spa, the Private Villa is nestled in amongst the alfalfa fields. The Private Villa offers guests a more secluded accommodation option, the villa offers two separate bedrooms each with their own full en-suite bathroom. The villa also boasts an open plan living and dining area, along with a fully equipped kitchen. The Private Villa sleeps four but can accommodate up to six guests with the use of extra beds. During ostrich breeding season, the private veranda allows guests to watch the playful baby ostriches mere metres away. Guests can lounge by their private pool, or make the most of the barbecuing facilities.
The restaurant, La Belle Vue, takes its name from the stunning surroundings of the property, and the panoramic veranda which offers guests breathtaking views of the Swartberg Mountains and Olifants River Valley. La Belle Vue serves an English breakfast in their stunning dining room, and offers guests both a daily lunch menu or the option of a carefully crafted picnic basket to take with them as they explore the wonders that the Klein Karoo has to offer. Dinner is served by candlelight, either á la carte or buffet style, with traditional farm-style cuisine meticulously prepared by the chef and paired with exceptional local wines.
Situated in the Swartberg Mountains, the Cango Caves are a 20 million-year-old network of hidden chambers carved into the thick limestone rock. Often lauded as South Africa’s oldest tourist attraction, this system of caverns boasts an incredible history. Tours through the Cango Caves consist of a standard tour and an adventure tour which both run regularly throughout the day.
Facilities available include:
- An auditorium with information about Cango 2, this cave is closed to the public.
- An information bureau.
- A restaurant which serves traditional South African dishes
The Klein Karoo Wine Route is arguably one of the most diverse of South Africa’s wine regions due to the various microclimates that exist in the area. Explore local, family-owned vineyards which produce world-class port wines, and Muscadel are some of the specialities produced in the area.
Enjoy the sunrise with a habituated herd of meerkats! The friendly and knowledgeable guides will talk you through the social behaviours of the herd, and explain the importance and role of meerkat conservation within the area. The tours are the perfect way to meet these fascinating suricates in their natural habitat.
The dedication to detail and luxury of the main guesthouse extends into the private spa, with a variety of treatments offered, guests are invited to be pampered beyond belief in one of the private treatment rooms.
Amongst a variety of treatments, the spa boasts:
- Rasul Ancient Arabic Bathing Ritual
- Massages & Hot Stone Massages
- Manicure & Pedicures, Gel Overlays
- Cleanse and Contour Rituals
Children are welcome at La Plume Guest House