India House
India House nestles in the Bastiaanskloof valley, which is part of the UNESCO Boland Mountain World Heritage Site, an hour and a half from Cape Town International Airport. So named because of its beautiful turquoise front door, imported from Gujarat, India, India House offers a luxurious retreat for up to six people. There are two spacious main bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms and outdoor showers. The bedrooms and bathrooms have underfloor heating and have candle lighting to induce a more relaxed mood. A third bedroom sleeps 2 with an en-suite shower room. India House has a state of the art French oak panelled kitchen, fully equipped to cool your wine and perk you up with espressos and cappuccinos, a massive fireplace and sheltered courtyard for alfresco dining. Guests can experience total silence except for the frogs and the crickets.
Amenities include a swimming pool with spectacular views of the surrounding mountains, hiking trails (one with a waterfall shower and traces of khoisan art), secluded river pools for summer swimming and bicycles for exploring the 2500 hectare estate. The formal gardens are planted with indigenous fynbos species, many of which are endemic to the area. Or if you are more of a relaxation fiend, curl up with one of the house library’s many novels or cookbooks!
India House is one kilometre off the twisting and vertiginous Bain’s Kloof pass (R301) built by the Scottish engineer Andrew Geddes Bain and completed in 1853. It is part of the Bastiaanskloof estate and nature reserve, home to over 800 different plant species, 200 bird species and some 50 mammal species including the Mountain Leopard, the Chacma Baboon and the Cape Grysbok antelope. Three indigenous fish species swim in its two rivers. On clear nights, star gazing is a must and you may be lucky to catch the shooting stars.
Essential Information
1 hour 30 minutes easy drive from Cape Town International airport (1 hour 20 minutes if you take the Bain’s Kloof pass route)
5 minutes drive from the estate to the edge of South Africa’s principal wine growing areas
Self catering, half board or full board and picnic options available
Facilities
2 Master bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms and outdoor showers
1 smaller bedroom with an en-suite shower room
Open plan living area with state of the art kitchen, dining room and lounge with large open fireplace
Mini Library
Large verandah and indoor courtyard with barbeque and outdoor dining areas as well as outdoor seating for reading and relaxing!
Swimming pool
Access to a private river pool on the Bastiaanskloof river
TV with DVD player and selection of DVD’s
Underfloor heating in main bedrooms and bathrooms
Services and Additional Options
Daily housekeeping service included
All water triple filtered on the estate for drinking
Laundry service upon request
Personal chef upon request (see essential information)
Pre-arranged spa treatments can be organised at the house (prices available on request)
Wines, beers and spirits on (price list available on request)
Transport to and from Cape Town on request (price list available on request)
Additional accommodation available for 2 more guests in neighbouring Kraal (prices available on request)
Terms and Conditions apply
Activities
Hiking on the 2500 hectare property as well as in the neighbouring Cape Nature property
Swimming – both in the house’s private swimming pool as well as in the river pools of the Witte and Bastiaanskloof River pools
Sundowners both next to the river and from viewpoints up on the hiking trail can be arranged
Mountain Biking
Star gazing
Bird Watching
Horse Riding (arranged upon request)
Board games
Picnics (arranged on request)
Cooking with the Chef (arranged on request)
Wine Excursions and wine tastings at the house (arranged on request)
Excursions to the historical town of Tulbagh (arranged on request)
Brown Trout Fishing on Witte river in the neigbouring Cape Nature Property (arranged on request and guides can also be organized)
Please refer to our Rates section for information on pricing. To make a booking, please go to reservations and to view pictures of the house – please see India House under the Gallery Section