Rothman Manor Boutique Hotel

The property itself is beautiful, with lovely gardens and spacious, nicely decorated suites. We had a wonderful welcome from the hotel manager and enjoyed our stay until the day we left. We checked out at 10:00 a.m. as requested, then asked the receptionist if we could use the pool a little longer because we’d arrived late the night before. She agreed without setting any conditions. Around 12:30 p.m., she came over and told us to leave, saying management didn’t want former guests on the property when new ones arrived. No other guests were there, we weren’t bothering anyone, and our suite was already vacated. We were hurried out and made to feel unwelcome. She even locked the restrooms so I couldn’t change. That receptionist’s rude, unprofessional behavior spoiled what had otherwise been an enjoyable stay.

The staff were pleasant and the service was great. They even washed the car for a small extra charge, and breakfast had an excellent range of choices. The historic building and garden are gorgeous, but the room felt cramped compared with other places we’d stayed. It had good equipment, though the bed wasn’t especially comfortable. Noise from the busy road came through the old, single-glazed windows at night. The bathroom was tiny, and it was almost impossible to control the shower temperature, which swung from freezing to boiling with the slightest tap adjustment. In the morning, the drains blocked and dirty water flooded the patio, flowing toward the pool. Staff cleaned it quickly and said the town’s plumbing was unreliable, so blockages happen from time to time. The pool looked slightly green and unappealing, so we didn’t use it. Looking back, we were relieved. It was an okay stay despite the drain issue, but the place fell short of the standard we’d come to expect from similar stays.

The hot tub was a real treat, with a view over the farm and a couple of animals to watch. Our room was luxurious, and the underfloor bathroom heating felt great in the cold weather. Breakfast was excellent, and the staff were very friendly and helpful.

We’d happily stay at Rothman manor again. The Africa suite beside the pool was fantastic, the room was good value, and the service was top class. Breakfast in the garden was the best we’d had in two weeks in South Africa. The pool had a slight green tinge, which shouldn’t be the case, though water shortages may have made the required filter backwash difficult. Swellendam didn’t make a great first impression, but on our second day we found the other end of town and really liked its cafes and boutiques. Rothman manor is just outside town.