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Women and HomeAugust 2005 issue
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Schulphoek Seafront Guesthouse has been selected for the Greenwood Guide to South Africa: B&Bs, guest-houses, lodges and self-catering cottages personally visited by the authors and chosen for their charm, character and for the exceptional friendliness of the owners

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Escape Routes … a series that reviews places designed to deeply please the senses.

Schulphoek Guesthouse

What is it with me and baths? I’ve always admitted to being a water baby but the last time I did a guesthouse review, my defining moment occurred over strawberries in the bath. And the same thing happened at Schulphoek Guesthouse in Sandbaai, a seaside haven two kilometres outside Hermanus.

I’d arrived back after an early morning cycle, all hot and sweaty, and discovered that the bath in my suite boasted seven hydro-massage jets! Until then I hadn't noticed – I’d been more interested in the massage shower that I put to good use before retiring the night before.

With two of the jets under my tired calves and one positioned perfectly in the small of my back, I was in heaven! The fact that a towelling covered pillow was already perfectly positioned on the edge of the bath indicates the lengths to which Petro and Mannes van Zyl go to ensure guests’ comfort. If breakfast hadn’t been waiting, I’d wallowed for hours …

It had all started the day before when Petro welcomed me to the luxe establishment that started life as a modest seaside cottage. Owners Wehrner and Janet Gutstadt used to hire the cottage alongside the property when visiting family in Hermanus. Eventually they bought the seafront property and set about renovating it extensively. Like Topsy, it grew … and grew. All under the able stewardship of the van Zyls, who were poached from a lodge on the banks of the Zambesi River in Namibia. The renaissance from seaside cottage to 5 star-graded guesthouse took four years.

“We’re so happy here,” Petro admits. “Our guests almost become friends – and they in turn recommend us to their friends and colleagues.”

Word-of-mouth had prompted fellow guests Patrick and Caroline of Ireland to spend a week there, and had also drawn ex-Liberty and JSE supreme Roy Andersen, wife Wendy and son Mike. Patrick and Caroline were looking forward to exploring the area, the walks at Fernkloof nature reserve, golf at any number of local courses, a visit to Stanford with a river cruise thrown in and maybe even a visit to the Birkenhead brewery, fishing, wine tasting at the Walker Bay wineries …
For adrenaline junkies, there’s shark cage diving, sea kayaking, even dune boarding. No fear of boredom setting in.

We all got acquainted over a pot of afternoon tea, Petro and Mannes doing the introductions as we all sat drinking in the sea view. The polite chitchat shifted into friendly conversation over pre-dinner drinks and by the time we were all seated at the long table, we were friends dining together – and that’s the way it felt all weakened.

For me that was the biggest charm of Schulphoek. So often on weekends such as these everyone rigidly maintains their interpersonal boundaries, eating at separate tables, sitting apart, not interacting, merely nodding and smiling politely at one another.

“We love to interact with our guests – and get them interacting with one another, because everyone has a story to tell and is interesting in their own way. But if they want privacy or to be alone, we respect that too,” says Mannes.

Mannes was installing a newly imported kitchen range – the Lacanche from France, which Wehrner Gutstadt incidentally has the agency for. It would make any wannabe cook drool. Gas hob, simmer plate, cast-iron grill, huge oven, special plate warmer section, storage space … I want one!

But he took time out to show me his baby – the 4000-bottle wine cellar. Like many cellars, it just isn’t big enough, stocked as it is with multiple vintages of Meerlust, Bouchard Finlayson, Mischa, Zandvliet, Springfield and Viljoensdrift. Plans are afoot to move the cellar closer to the kitchen an expand its capacity to a ‘flexible’ 7500 bottles … flexible to 10,000, Mannes assures me.

Naturally the winelist is extensive, but guests love going to the cellar and browsing before selecting a wine (all very reasonably priced) for dinner.

I knew freshness was beyond question at Schulphoek when I saw chef
Bertina strolling past my room, heading for the French-styled potager near the swimming pool. She came back armed with spinach, herbs and salad leaves galore.

The potage is a cook’s dream – herbs, onions, spinach, beetroot, carrots, tomatoes and more, all organically grown. Mannes has even done his thing for alien invaders by cutting down Port Jackson stems to make woven screens for each of the vegetable beds.

Your first night’s stay includes a complimentary four-course dinner – and it’s worth the stay for the food alone. Caramelised pear and blue cheese on a bed of salad leaves was followed by two grilled prawns on a lemongrass skewer, the peppery rocket leaves and herbed butter.

For the main course, aubergine moussaka accompanied a kudu loin crusted with a spicy harissa paste. Rounding it all off was lightly cooked and buttered spinach. Mischa Shiraz, a fruit-forward wine, made a sublime match with the spicy food. Should you want anything else, such as a vegetarian or non-meat meal, it’s not a problem.

I couldn’t do the dessert of brandied chocolate mousse with Belgium truffles justice. After a final cup of delicious Illy coffee, I headed off to bed.

So what about the suites? All eight are superbly appointed and there’s a range of options from double to twin beds – some long enough to accommodate a West Indian fast bowler! The only thing likely to disturb your sleep is the sound of waves breaking on the shore or early-morning birdsong.

For me it’s the small touches that count – the little candles artfully arranged at the edge of the bath for those aquatic contemplative moments, his and hers basins, appointed with top brand soaps.

Breakfast is buffet style with eggs cooked to order. Bertina’s specials included scrambled eggs, smoked salmon and potato rosti or a smoked Springbok omelette.

Schulphoek is incredibly relaxing. If you want to sit in front of the panoramic lounge/dining area windows, reading a newspaper or just enjoying the views, you can. If you want to snooze beside the pool, the loungers are comfortable – and there’s a 5-person Jacuzzi.
Feeling in need of a bit of exercise? An exercise bike is provided …

You’ll leave Schulphoek feeling laidback and refreshed.

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Food and Home
October 2004 issue
Article written by Angela Brooks, Editor

Weekend Escape

A breath of fresh air … Angela Brooks explores Schulphoek Guesthouse and discovers a convenient Cape Town getaway for a quick refresher or lengthy unwind

The History
Owners Janet and Wehrner Gutstadt’s love for Schulphoek Guesthouse in Sandbaai, Hermanus has continued to grow over the past five years. Recent renovations have seen additional family-style rooms being added as well as extensive upgrades for their kitchen area. The Tourism Grading Council of South Africa rates the property as a five-star guesthouse, a fitting accolade for its comfort and service. Janet and Wehrner couldn’t have left the running of the guesthouse to two more hospitable hosts that Petro and Mannes van Zyl, whose intense love for South Africa and the hospitality industry is obvious in all they do.

The kitchen
The stylish kitchen equipped with Lacanche cookware will make any cook’s heart melt – since Wehrner is the local agent the kitchen is stocked with everything from gas hobs to griddle ovens and a deep-fat fryer. Scrumptious breakfasts and dinners are served by chef Marthinus, or host and creative cook Mannes (who has just completed a part-time course at the South African Chefs Academy).
Breakfasts are long and leisurely, cooked to order while dinners are a grand affair, generally consisting of four courses with wines to match. Definitely worth requesting during your stay is the lobster risotto. Picnic baskets are made up on request for day trips.

The wine cellar
Mannes not only has flair for food but wine too and is understandably proud of the Diners Club 2002 Platinum Class Cellar Award that the guesthouse holds. With more that 7000 bottles of regional South African wine to choose from, it is welcome relief to have the expert hand of the passionate Mannes to guide you along.

The view
The walk up to the main house at Schulphoek is deceiving. One does not expect the breathtaking view of Sandbaai, since on arrival the perception is that the house is further from the sea. The comfortable lounge area is kitted out with a selection of books about the area and conservation, and scattered with novels for lazy afternoons. A fabulous detail is the selection of reading glasses of various strengths lying around the lounge for those who’ve left theirs at home. A telescope is strategically placed overlooking the bay for whale watching, and the Faema coffee machine is so close you won’t have to go far for Illy cappuccinos or espressos. Fresh cake is baked daily for the essential afternoon lift.

The extras
Your hosts will ensure that this is more that a home away from home. Special touches such as fresh vegetables and herbs picked from the gardens daily, a heated salt swimming pool, warmed towels rails (a must for my bathroom at home, extremely comfortable beds covered with mohair blankets and satellite television are standard. Some rooms also offer spa baths, sea views or a double shower.

The activities
From the couches in the lounge one can enjoy a spectacular view of the whales frolicking in the sea, or devour a good book. For the more adventurous, Petro and Mannes will gladly arrange any of the following activities:
• Boat-based whale tours offer exciting and informative eco-tours around Dyer Island
• There is a selection of golf courses in the area
• Great white shark adventures
• Horse riding on the beaches nearby
• Wine farm visits
• Visits to local nature reserves

The directions
Schulphoek Guesthouse is situated in the beautiful Sandbaai with spectacular sea views. It is one-hour drive from Cape Town International Airport.

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