Rosehaven Cottage

Entire cottage in Swellendam, South Africa

  1. 6 guests
  2. 4 bedrooms
  3. 5 beds
  4. 2 baths
Hosted by Braam
  1. 4 years hosting

Listing highlights

Top 5% of homes

This home is highly ranked based on ratings, reviews, and reliability.

Dive right in

This is one of the few places in the area with a pool.

Exceptional check-in experience

Recent guests gave the check-in process a 5-star rating.
“A true home away from home” – that’s what guests say about Rosehaven. This 1900s cottage has something rare: it feels genuinely welcoming. Fresh flowers in every room, a garden alive with birdsong, that stoep where you’ll find yourself just sitting, watching the light change across roses to distant wheatfields. Wood fires crackling in winter, walking distance to excellent restaurants, and the Faerie Sanctuary literally around the corner. The garden welcomes furry family too.

The space
You’ll find fresh flowers in every room, freshly picked herbs at the sink, sugar water ready for the garden bird feeder. These thoughtful touches are part of what makes staying here feel different from a typical rental.

The Bedrooms

Four bedrooms sleep up to six guests. The main bedroom and second bedroom both have beautiful Art Deco beds – the main with a king-size and large sash window overlooking the garden (perfect for morning lie-ins listening to the birds), and the second with a double bed and garden views. The third bedroom has a double bed looking onto a peaceful courtyard.

The fourth bedroom is in an adjoining garden flatlet – it's connected to the house but has its own entrance leading directly to the plunge pool and braai area. Perfect for bigger families who want a bit of privacy while still being close, with the comfort of an en-suite walk-in shower and two single beds.

All beds have Egyptian cotton linen with 500 thread count. Our guests always mention how well they sleep.

The Bathroom

The main bathroom has a full bath and shower combo. We provide real magnesium bath salts infused with fynbos oils.

Living Spaces

The living room has a TV with streaming services and opens onto a garden courtyard with that lovely inside-outside flow. The dining table seats six and opens onto the stoep – this is really the heart of the cottage. Relax on the daybed, have meals outside, and take in the view from the roses and trees across town to the wheatfields in the distance. The birdlife is wonderful, and you'll find yourself watching them visit the feeder.

Kitchen & Outdoor Living

The kitchen is fully equipped. It opens onto a courtyard with a braai area and plunge pool. Complimentary unlimited firewood and firelighters provided.

The plunge pool is closed from the beginning of May through to the beginning of October.

The Garden

Big, fully fenced, and completely dog-proofed. Full of roses, trees, and birdsong. There's always a spot to read, watch birds, or just be.

Year-Round Comfort

Thick walls keep the cottage cool in summer. In winter: two wood-burning stoves (including a working Dover stove), electric blankets on all beds, hot water bottles, and heaters. Complimentary unlimited firewood. Ceiling fan in the living room, standing fans for bedrooms.

Power backup keeps lights, WiFi, and essentials running when the power goes out.

Parking & Security

Secure double garage with electric doors, plus off-street parking. The property is protected with an alarm system.

Pet-Friendly

We're animal lovers ourselves (we have five cats and two dogs in our own home), so we genuinely welcome guests traveling with pets. The garden is fully dog-proofed for your furry family's safety.

Guest access
You'll have exclusive and private access to all of Rosehaven Cottage during your stay – your very own tranquil platteland retreat. No shared spaces, just the entire cottage for you to relax, feel at home, and make wonderful memories.

Other things to note
The Continent of Sulina Faerie Sanctuary is literally around the corner – a lovely walk with kids
Golf course is close by
Great for walking dogs in the area
Mountain paths nearby for hiking
Walking distance to excellent restaurants: La Sosta, De Vagebond, Koornlands, Christelle's Bistro

Please note:

The plunge pool is closed during cooler months (beginning May to beginning October)
The cottage is spotlessly clean and thoughtfully maintained

Where you’ll sleep

1 of 2 pages

What this place offers

Garden view
Valley view
Kitchen
Wifi
Dedicated workspace
Unavailable: Carbon monoxide alarm

Accessibility features

This info was provided by the Host and reviewed by Airbnb.

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Rated 4.98 out of 5 from 132 reviews.

Guest favorite
This home is in the top 5% of eligible listings based on ratings, reviews, and reliability

Overall rating

  1. 5 stars, 98% of reviews
  2. 4 stars, 2% of reviews
  3. 3 stars, 0% of reviews
  4. 2 stars, 0% of reviews
  5. 1 stars, 0% of reviews

Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars for cleanliness

Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars for accuracy

Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars for check-in

Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars for communication

Rated 4.9 out of 5 stars for location

Rated 4.9 out of 5 stars for value

Guest reviews mention

Where you’ll be

Swellendam, Western Cape, South Africa

Rosehaven Cottage is tucked away in a quiet corner of Swellendam and is close to amenities such as shops and restaurants. Guests should take a look at ‘Stanley’s Guidebook’ on the Airbnb app which contains our favourite places to dine and sightsee in and around Swellendam.

Meet your host

Started hosting in 2022
Born in the 80s
Where I went to school: University of Cape Town
Composer, homemaker, perfumer & nature lover! Born & raised in Swellendam, I weave music, art & community. Passionate about animals, Indian cooking, yoga & kindness. I cycle, walk & dream, finding beauty in everyday moments.

Co-hosts

  • Stanley
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Things to know

Cancellation policy
House rules
Check-in: 2:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Checkout before 10:00 AM
6 guests maximum
Safety & property
No carbon monoxide alarm
Smoke alarm

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