Somerset Grace

We loved the little fireplace, which kept the main room warm, and the location was handy for shops and not too far from the airport. The guesthouse is laid out nicely, with roomy bedrooms and bathrooms, plus a kitchen that was surprisingly well equipped. It really lived up to its gracious name and graceful surroundings.

We never even made it through the gate, so one star feels too generous. We booked and fully paid through a well-known booking site, but after the ownership changed, our reservation was supposedly "lost." The new owner was overseas, but we reached him by phone. He insisted I had it wrong, that we were at the wrong place, and that it wasn't his problem. He even hung up on my husband. We were frazzled and desperate to find somewhere else. I later sent screenshots of the booking and a voicemail. The next day he replied, 'I feel sorry for you, but this is a fake,' and that was the end of it. We called a dozen places trying to get a bed for the night, and the other hosts apologized and tried to help. The booking service was amazing and investigated, with a refund on the way. The host has stayed silent. Appalling response.

The rooms are spacious, and it's a nice place to stay. The layout is odd, though: the main bedroom is in the living area, while the second bedroom with two single beds is slightly separate. The new owner can come across as rude sometimes. The garden needs attention too, the pool was green and the grass was long.

A lively little cottage, nicely furnished, with a great owner. It's also a handy base for Cape Town, Somerset West, Gordon's Bay, Franschhoek and the surrounding areas.