Blue Gum Country Estate

Anton and his staff made us feel very welcome, and we enjoyed the quiet and the lovely rooms. Blue gum is a beautiful Overberg hideaway, just right for switching off from everyday bustle. We spent the weekend there and will definitely return.

We spent five days there for my 80th birthday and appreciated the friendly, relaxed atmosphere. A few maintenance things need attention, though whenever we asked for something, it was dealt with promptly. I’d definitely recommend it for a laid-back family holiday.

The setting is a real strength: the estate backs onto the mountains, with plenty of room for walks and activities, pets welcome, and attractive gardens. We stayed five days in the Blue Gum Country House and villa for a big family gathering. The beds were comfortable, we slept well, and there are pleasant entertainment spaces. Anton was kind and generous with towels, and responsive to requests. For a birthday function, we had the restaurant to ourselves, and the food and service were great. The price was affordable, and it wasn't crowded with overseas tourists. The buildings need urgent maintenance, though. There were cracked windows, badly fitted bathroom taps, blocked sewage, and a broken toilet seat, among other small problems. The house's small pool was empty, out of order, in poor repair, and had a dead frog in it. The semi-detached houses don't connect directly, so getting between them means walking all the way around. The tennis court also has cracks, which is a shame given its prime position. I felt the grounds staff had little oversight. Two workers spent the whole day hand-watering our supposedly private garden, slowly, with little regard for guest privacy. Watering in the heat also seemed wasteful, especially with the low water pressure. The estate has a lot of potential and may once have been a pristine 4 or 5 star place, but in my opinion it now needs plenty of care and better management. Its run-down state does make it quieter and more affordable.

A last-minute trip turned into a stay we’d happily repeat. Margaret looked after us so well, with great attention to detail, and Anton went out of his way to fit us in. The room was fantastic, and both dinner and breakfast were superb. It’s a working farm with plenty of peace and quiet, and a good choice if you need space to unwind, explore the lovely town, or visit the Chelsea Flowers in Stanford. Book for next year!