Lord Milner Hotel | Matjiesfontein
On the fringe of the Grand Karoo, The Lord Milner Hotel, the last authentic vestige of Victoriana, sits in all its past glory as a "must" stop on the N1 national highway linking Cape Town to Johannesburg and the northern part of South Africa.
Matjiesfontein is indeed a Great Country Getaway where pure relaxation is enjoyed. In addition, we provide an unrivaled setting and excellent facilities to cater for your wedding, family celebration, or conference.
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The Lord Milner Hotel is a graded Three-star heritage site hotel and offers 15 classically furnished Luxury, Standard and Single Rooms in the Main hotel building
Take a step back in time, to hear history’s palpable heartbeat—while the rooms have been tastefully updated in terms of linen and bathroom facilities—the experience will take you back to the Karoo of old.
The hotel was named for Lord Alfred Milner, who was the governor of the Cape during The South African War (Anglo-Boer War). The gracious grand dame was completed in 1899, and shortly thereafter served as the Headquarters of the Cape Western Command.
At The Lord Milner Hotel, historic ambience, old world service and classic comfort combine.
The Reston Villa has a distinctly Mediterranean atmosphere with its large shuttered doors opening onto a private terrace, shaded by palm trees and bougainvillea.
Four large suites provide superior accommodation, set within their own garden away from, but close to, the main hotel. The ground floor bedrooms have shuttered French doors opening onto their own verandas.
Reston Villa was once occupied by James Logan's son (also James), his wife and two stepchildren.
The Olive Schreiner Cottage, named after the famed South African author who wrote The Story of an African Farm, is a luxury two-person cottage on Logan Street, the historic main street of Matjiesfontein.
The cottage is situated next to the Post Office and offers a bedroom with en-suite bathroom including both a bath and shower, and the classically furnished Schreiner lounge
Olive Schreiner—one of the first voices of literature and feminism in South Africa—lived here for a number of years. Today, her cottage is a landmark in the village. It has also been reported that venerated author, Rudyard Kipling, on his first journey to the Cape, made a special journey specifically to visit her here.
The Old Museum Suite is a classic historic cottage on Logan Street, close to the hotel and next to the Laird’s Arms, this suite offers three bedrooms sleeping up to six people, with two bathrooms, each with bath and shower.
The swimming pool—dug out of a stone basin—is set amid a lush garden; a fertile desert oasis that attracts diverse birdlife.
The Swimming Pool Suite offers two luxury bedrooms, opening onto a private courtyard patio with access to a swimming pool and a wooden terrace overlooking the Monument River.
The suite is located in the hotel gardens on the riverbank terrace next to the Traveller's Chapel, and caters for up to four people, minimum two persons sharing.
The historic Douglas Cottages are located at the back of the main hotel building. These rooms have their own veranda overlooking the hotel’s back garden. The verandas are shared by two rooms each and are perfect for friends and family travelling together, and share a passage between the rooms' entrance doors.
Both double and twin bedrooms are available and all rooms have en-suite bathrooms with a shower over bath, hand-shower and bath or shower only. Tea and coffee making facilities are provided in each room.
The Riverbank Rooms all have en-suite bathrooms and balconies that overlook the Monument River, which is dry in the summer months. These rooms each have a nearby parking bay.
The Garden Mews Rooms each have an en-suite bathroom with shower, while one room has a bath and shower. Each room has a nearby parking bay.
Property Facilities
Bar, Chapel, Communal Dining, Conference Centre, Internet Access (Complimentary), Laundry Service (Available), Library, Malaria Free, Mobile Connectivity, Pool, Restaurant, Secure Parking, TV Room
Room Facilities
Bath, Electrical Outlets, En-Suite, Fan, Heater, Shower, Tea / Coffee
Services
Babysitting Service, Credit Card
The Transport Museum, located on the edge of the village, features a remarkable collection of vintage cars from the 1930-1960s era, among them, Chevys, Dodges and a Jaguar MK8. The collection includes two Royal Daimlers from King George VI’s 1947 tour of South Africa, which he undertook accompanied by Princesses Elizabeth (now Queen Elizabeth II) and Margaret. There are also antique bicycles in all styles, an ex-London bus as well as a steam train and carriages, which you can explore inside.
The Marie Rawdon Museum, one visit alone isn’t enough to take in the vast collection of Victoriana, you may need to do a couple of turns to truly appreciate the multitude of relics. Situated in Matjiesfontein’s train station, the contents of this double-storey museum were originally curated by avid collector, David Rawdon. The exhibitions include everything from personal and household items to antique war souvenirs and so much more—it’s a layered look into life at this colonial outpost at the turn of the century. The eclectic items also include some of the dresses that belonged to Emma Logan herself, penny-farthing bicycles and royal memorabilia.
A walk through here is a true adventure, you’ll stumble across dentistry and surgery equipment, personal letters, portraits, children’s toys; and even tableau scenes of a barber’s shop and a fully-stocked apothecary with shelves lined by glass jars filled with elixirs and potions. It’s one of the biggest privately owned museums in South Africa, and Matjiesfontein's second oldest.
Railway Museum, just outside you'll find a station master's office dating back to the late 1800s as well as the original signal room
"Over 10,000 infantry and 20,000 horses were camped in the surrounding veld..."
During the years of the British remount encampment (c.1900), the area in front of the railway station served as parade ground, where over 10,000 infantry and 20,000 horses were camped in the surrounding veld.
The Lord Milner, with its central turret as lookout post, served as Cape Command Headquarters as well as a field hospital.
Many esteemed military leaders, including General Haig, and similarly revered regiments were stationed here including The 17th Lancers, the Coldstream Guards, the Highland Brigade and the Duke of Edinburgh’s Own Rifles. General Haig occupied the old laundry (opposite 13. Jail) as his officer mess.
To this day the veld is still littered with relics and artefacts from this time, and guests can take a walk up to the site to view these bits of war history.
Take a trip on the Old London Bus every evening from Mondays to Saturdays —which promises the shortest tour on earth around the village to see its sights and ending in the Liard’s Arms to enjoy a pint in the atmosphere of a bygone era.
Stay for the regular honky-tonk played on the piano, delve into Matjiesfontein’s cricketing history and marvel at the antiques.
Enjoy hikes and mountain bikes in die Veld. Mountain bikes are available to rent from the hotel.
Play a game of tennis or simply relax, and read in the hotel's opulent lounges or by the residents only pool.
Tour the perfectly preserved Victorian town of Matjiesfontein with renowned author Dean Allen. Starting at the majestic Lord Milner Hotel, you'll be guided down the high street, through the immaculate gardens, and along the train station, ending up at The Laird's Arms for a well-deserved pint.
Over the course of the walk, Dean will tell the tale of the village's creation by the 'ideal colonialist', James Logan, in the late 1800s. You will follow Logan's transformation from a penniless 19-year-old Scottish immigrant to the man who built a model town in the middle of nowhere, influenced trade and politics, and toured Britain with his very own South African cricket team.
The Dining Room at The Lord Milner Hotel has been serving its guests for the last 120 years; and boasts the same historic ambience found throughout Matjiesfontein. Dine in a Victorian setting filled with period antiques and let the red-jacketed porters welcome you and offer a selection of fine wines from across the Western Cape region.
It’s here head chef, Tronette, prepares her unique and contemporary take on many of South Africa’s traditional dishes, including Karoo springbok and lamb sourced from the local district.
Right next door to the Lord Milner Hotel is The Laird's Arms. Enjoy a quiet pint or pub lunch in the historic, saloon-like atmosphere.
Here you’ll meet head bartender, Abraham, who has poured travellers drinks for 20 years while spinning tales of the village’s history and its inhabitants (ghostly and otherwise).
Abraham recommends you try the Karoo Lamb Curry. The lamb comes from a nearby Little Karoo farm, where the fragrant dwarf succulents and shrubs impart a distinctive aromatic herb flavour to the meat.
Pub lunches are served daily between 12:00 and 14:30.
Take a stroll down Matjiesfontein’s main street, and pop in here for home-cooked hearty breakfasts, light lunches and a fine selection of baked goods.
This relaxed eatery is the ideal spot for a quick bite or mid-morning coffee, with its variety of scones, cakes and koeksisters.
The historic main building opens onto a lovely courtyard overlooking fountains and a pond.
Your Stay
1 Night
Full Board - Dinner, Bed, Breakfast and Lunch
Fast Facts
3 Star
Hotel
Spoken Languages: Afrikaans, English
No. Rooms: 49
Special Interests: Birding, Cycling, Gourmet, Hiking, History & Culture, Leisure, Nature, Relaxation, Star Gazing
Kambro Kind B&B | Sutherland
Kambro Kind B & B offers you 14 rooms in total at 4 different locations. You can be assured of warm, Karoo hospitality, a diversity of many things to do that you will find at no other B & B in Sutherland. Enjoy a healthy breakfast every morning with a fireplace in the backgroup when needed
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Double bed & single bed en-suite, Self-catering two bedroom house (Room 7 & 8) Braai/Fireplace in lounge and outside braai and Selected DSTV in bedroom
Double bed & single bed en-suite, Self-catering two bedroom house (Room 7 & 8), Braai/Fireplace in lounge and outside braai and Selected DSTV in bedroom
2 x Double beds, Communal Bathroom, Self-catering cottage
Fireplace in Lounge and sheltered braai on stoep.
Double bed en-suite, small and cosy room with bath & shower en-suite, selected DSTV and outside braai.
Electrical points
Communal Boma
Family unit with one double and three single beds. Equipped with a small kitchen and ensuite bathroom.
Comforatble room with a double and single bed.
Another room with twin beds.
Third room with a double bed.
Property Facilities
Barbeque Facilities, Conference Centre, Restaurant
Room Facilities
Cooking Equipment, Cooking Facilities, En-Suite, Fan, Fireplace, Fridge, Hair Dryer, Heater, Lounge Area, Shower, Tea / Coffee, Television, Verandah
Services
Credit Card
Your Stay
2 Nights
Full Board - Dinner, Bed, Breakfast and Lunch
