Our pool area is a jewel of vibrancy and colour, and the perfect place to soak up the sun and cool off in the summer months. Winter sunny days are a secret joy – may we suggest you head here with a book and a blanket for some Vitamin D and me-time? The pool and pool area are exclusive to hotel guests. All pool use is at guests' own risk.

More than a backdrop at Zomerlust, the gardens are an integral part of any stay at our luxury boutique hotel. Wander shaded paths beneath heritage trees, pause at restored stone features, and find pockets of stillness guaranteed to make time slow down.

The gardens are an ever-changing canvas, underpinned by some beautiful specimens such as the Magnolia grandiflora (certainly one of the biggest in Paarl), a Cape chestnut, a coral tree known for its brilliant winter blooms, and the liquidambar trees along the terracing.

A popular location for events, weddings and special occasions, Paarl has many residents who have photographs of themselves posing with family and friends under the trees here, and who may remember playing in the gardens as children.

The garden’s restoration was led by Jann Kirkby, a Paarl-based landscape designer with vast experience working on heritage properties in the region. Her approach was to work with what existed rather than start from scratch. Before any planting began, a tree surgeon was brought in to assess the significant trees on the property, with a view to preservation.