Spier Wine Farm

Holiable's review of Spier Wine Farm

Getting there

Located 35 minutes from Cape Town International Airport, Spier Wine Farm is easily accessible by car.

Travelling car-less? No worries, hotel shuttles are available.

The venue

Spier Wine Farm is one of South Africa's oldest wine estates, founded in 1692.

They practice sustainable viticulture; one of their range is certified organic. They also have a farm with the same philosophy.

The hotel is also a conference center, so if you are looking for a "small & intimate" family hotel, it is not that kind of a concept.

The rooms are set back from the main building and the event venues, they are located in alleys made of small houses with facades reminiscent of local architecture.

Some will find think it looks a bit “cardboard cut-out” but we have to admit it is rather harmonious.

The most pleasant rooms (therefore superior priced – as you could have guessed) are on the ground floor and offer a terrace with a view of the garden or the river.

This "resort" is rather large and allows a few walking paths, some up to 10 km, including a walk in the protea garden, the national flower. Not bad, but don't expect a botanical garden either.

Green commitments

Awareness about water consumption and management is probably the most visible to visitors. No wonder when you know the severe droughts that South Africa and the Cape Town region have experienced in recent years.

The hotel has reduced its water consumption by half, in particular by adopting more economical systems in the bathrooms and raising awareness among its guests.

100% of the grey water is recycled in the site's wastewater treatment plant and is reused for crop watering.

Throughout the site, sorting bins are available to encourage guests to recycle. Hotel claims 100% recycling of organic waste which is composted onsite and above 90% for solid waste as well

Food & Drinks

Spier grows sustainable vines and vegetables and continues this commitment in the restaurants of the hotel.

No less than three restaurants are available throughout this "resort," which all serve local, seasonal or even organic cuisine.

The most locavore one was unfortunately closed the day we visited,.

Our opinion

A comfortable place to take a break during a stay in South Africa.

We expected to be closer to the vines and less close to the highway to be completely honest

It is very far from a boutique hotel, if you like intimate places, you may not like it.

Recommended for: wine tourism,

Our tip: do not miss the outstanding breakfast