Lantern Self Catering Cottages

This is easily my favourite BnB. The gardens are gorgeous, with tall palms and a pool that's just right for lazy afternoons and warm evenings. Surrounded by nature, it's calm, secluded, and has a tranquil, grounding feel that makes it easy to switch off and recharge. A special place I'll keep returning to.

Gabriel, the owner, made me feel very welcome. It's a really relaxed place, and the pool is a bonus. I highly recommend staying at this little gem.

The cottage was spotless, the linen was high quality, and the shower water was piping hot. Gabriella had everything ready to help us feel looked after, including tea, coffee, fresh lactose-free milk, sugar, towels, a gas heater, and reliable Wi-Fi. She's a wonderful host who went out of her way for us. Our weekend at The Lantern in Swellendam was amazing. This well-maintained Cape Dutch cottage is spacious and romantic, with thoughtful decor and an open-plan layout that feels both cozy and grand. The old-fashioned kettle takes a little while to boil on the stove, but we didn't mind. It added to the experience. Thanks, Gabriella, for a lovely stay. We'll definitely be back!

We travelled with pets, so this unit didn't really suit our needs. We had to keep the windows shuttered and couldn't ventilate the place properly. The yard needs a lot of work, though it was winter and the garden looked much better than we'd expected. The hostess was extremely friendly and polite, while staying reserved and never imposing. She suggested a few places to visit, and they all turned out great. The small cottage at the back of the property is oddly laid out and looks as though it may once have been staff quarters or even stables. It's well equipped with comfortable beds and electric blankets, a rattan chair, a table and four chairs, and a gas heater. There's also a small kitchenette with a gas stove, wash basin, utensils, and cookware. We thought the sharp knives were a lovely, subtle touch. The bathroom has a cramped basin and shelving area but a spacious shower, with very hot water. The taps need refurbishing: the basin and shower taps look worn, and the kitchen taps sit so close to the basin that water splashes everywhere. This cottage is best for a short stay without pets. The location is great, about 1.4 km from the town centre and far enough from the main road that noise isn't much of an issue.