Perfect winelands hideaway for small birthdays & retreats

The Bothey is “spoiled self-catering” in spacious suites

Last updated: Tuesday, 7 July 2026

A bothy, in the old-country sense, is a refugee: A cottage where you wait out bad weather. Owners Katja Leinberger and Marcel Hartman run The Bothey, in Somerset West, in that spirit of warmth and generosity. It's self-catering with five-star hotel polish, with hosts who want to spoil you. That means a freshly baked Katja cake waiting on arrival, and securing a table at a hard-to-get restaurant or arranging a unique wine tasting you couldn't organise yourself. It's this personal touch that makes The Bothey a place that fits celebratory occasions. Here are five that suit it especially well.

The Bothey’s open garden and deck, swimming pool, and green surrounds in full view. Image: The Bothey

 

MILESTONE BIRTHDAYS FOR CLOSET FEW

The Bothey sleeps up to eight in three spacious suites, exactly the right number for an intimate milestone birthday, when you want to gather only with the closest few. 

The suites are loft-like, with an open-plan layout that combines the lounge, kitchen and bedroom beneath exposed light beams, with antique pieces sitting comfortably alongside contemporary finishes (think an antique cupboard beside a bright red SMEG-style fridge).

They are furnished to feel intimate, but large enough to be meeting points with your guests; the two-sleeper Table Mountain suite, for example, is a 70sqm loft with a 40sqm private deck.

That means you can spend the weekend together – without living on top of one another.

The Bothey Wines Syrah Grenache. Image: The Bothey

 

A QUIETLY SPOILED ANNIVERSARY

For couples, there are plenty of reasons to fall in love with The Bothey. 

Take Devil's Peak, a two-sleeper named, like all three suites, for the view it frames. Light the fire and stay in; there’s a dining table for meals, and couches, magazines and a TV for lounging.  

Think nespresso, fresh sourdough bread, yoghurt, fruit, cheese, or eggs from Woolies for breakfast or brunch.

The suites are also scented; spearmint and eucalyptus for one mood, earthy clove for another, with Charlotte Rhys products in the bathroom.

When you want to venture out, Marcel and Katja choose an estate where they know the winemaker. Rather than the standard cellar-door tasting, the winemaker takes the two of you into the cellar himself, a tour for which you won’t find a booking link anywhere online. 

They don't keep to a fixed circuit, so it might be a famous estate or a small grower that few people know.

The beautiful sunsets at The Bothey set the tone for a romantic evening. Image: The Bothey

 

A HOME BASE FOR SMALL TEAMS

For a small team, The Bothey’s draw is that plans can be sorted before you arrive because of Katja and Marcel’s connection in the food and wine scene. Their own boutique label, The Bothey Wines, is poured at restaurants like FYN, Foxcroft and Salsify.

Marcel handles the part that usually defeats many, a tee time when the course is full. The local Erinvale Golf Estate is infamously difficult to get a spot at, but he can still work to get you on the green, often at member rates if you play alongside him.

The restored Cape Dutch building features a traditional thatch roof. Image: The Bothey

 

FRIEND GETAWAYS CLOSE TO CAPE TOWN  

Some weekends don't need much planning. Just good friends, good wine and somewhere that feels far enough from Cape Town to switch off, yet close enough that no one minds making the drive.

The Bothey's three suites, with their own unique personalities, let everyone settle into their own space before naturally coming together again.

If you do want to explore, Marcel and Katja happily point guests towards their favourite wine farms, restaurants and hidden gems. 

That could mean pizzas surrounded by fynbos at Stellenzicht, a tasting at De Trafford tucked into the Helderberg hills, or one of the many estates where they know the winemakers personally.

Come back, light the braai, and let the evening (and banter) continue.

Among the suites is the Table Mountain room, named for its view of the iconic landmark. Image: The Bothey

 

UNHURRIED FAMILY TIME 

This is a stay for families with children 12 and up, and the longer you stay, the lower the rate, which suits a family settling in for a while. 

Everyone has enough space to spread out, yet there's always somewhere to gather again, whether it's around the pool or on one of the private decks.

The old milkwood tree throws shade across the garden, the pool becomes the day's meeting place, and the pace is wonderfully unhurried. When you're ready for an outing, Strand Beach, with warmer water than much of Cape Town's coastline, is less than 10 minutes away.

Marcel and Katja live on site, meaning you can usually turn to them when needed. Even the resident dogs, including the much-loved Truffle, are part of the welcome, although they're happily kept away if guests would prefer their own space.

The fireplace in the Devil’s Peak suite heats the room on a chilly winter’s eve. Image: The Bothey

Whatever you've come to mark, self-catering never felt this personal. Book The Bothey or find out about special offers here.

 

HAVE YOUR CELEBRATION AT THE BOTHEY

Find The Bothey: 5 Paradise Road, Lynn’s View, Somerset West

See more: The Bothey website

Book: Book directly with Katja and Marcel or via Nightsbridge

Contact: 

Katja: katja@bothey.co.za, 083 795 2868

Marcel: marcel@bothey.co.za, 083 928 8900

 

By Emile Louw

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