Somerset West stay for foodies, golfers and wine lovers

“Spoiled self-catering” where your host gets you into the top destinations

Last updated: Wednesday, 13 May 2026

Staying at The Bothey is like visiting that friend who loves to host, knows the best wines and restaurants, and has exquisite taste in everything. Owners Marcel Hartman and Katja Leinberger have connections to premium wine, food and golf destinations, and can get you tricky bookings, tee times, and even exclusive tastings of their Bothey wine, which is served in Fyn, Salsify, Potluck Club and more.

Instead of the classic Cape Dutch green, the trims are a charming eggshell blue. Image: The Bothey

SOMERSET WEST ACCOMMODATION

The Bothey, with climbing bougainvillea, ivy-wrapped pergolas, and yellowwood trees, feels like a farm stay with exceptional ocean views. The garden overlooks Cape Point (you can see the lighthouse on a clear day), and the suites’ balconies open to views of Gordons Bay or Table Mountain.

Once an eighteenth-century Cape Dutch manor, The Bothey was opened by Marcel and Katja in 2024, who bring a wealth of knowledge about fine wine and fine stays.

Katja has worked at illustrious 5-star hotels, including St Regis in New York, and Marcel was the captain of Arabella Golf Club before opening Bothey Wines. His labels are served in Cape Town’s most esteemed restaurants like Fyn, Coy, Salsify, Potluck Club, and Foxcroft.

Owners Marcel and Katja. Image: The Bothey

SELF-CATERING IN SOMERSET WEST

While the bones of the building are from the eighteenth century, The Bothey feels invigorated, not stuffy. Katja refurbished much of the furniture herself, with a German cupboard from 1861 sitting snugly next to cowhide cushions and a funky polka dot armchair.

There are three self-catering suites: Devil’s Peak, Table Mountain and Gordon’s Bay (named after the views from each). Devil’s Peak and Table Mountain sleep two, while Gordon’s Bay is a family suite for four. The suites can also be connected for bigger groups.

The Bothey's farm-style charm with modernised interiors makes it feel like a home away from home. Image: The Bothey

The kitchen has everything you could possibly need, down to a lemon juicer and Tupperware. Depending on the length of your stay, the suite might be stocked with fresh sourdough, yoghurt, fruit, cheese or sweet treats baked by Katja (she’s fond of the term “spoiled self-catering").

Explore each suite on The Bothey’s website.

Table Mountain suite. Image: The Bothey

WINE TASTING IN THE OWNER’S HOME

Marcel and Katja live on the property and offer exclusive wine tastings for guests in their home. It’s an incredible opportunity to experience one of South Africa’s finest wine labels, with the owner himself, at his dining room table.

The tasting includes canapés made by Katja and six wines. The grenache noir, Bothey‘s crown jewel with 93 Tim Atkins points, is served at fine dining restaurants because of its delicate flavour that goes with many dishes. Fyn pairs it with venison; Coy, tuna; and Salsify, fillet. The syrah grenache blend is just as impressive with 92 Tim Atkins points and a 5-star Platter's score.

The chenin blanc, with a 5-star Platter's score and 96 Tim Atkins points, is elegant with understated notes of stone fruit and guava. And the chardonnay, one of the newer wines with apple and citrus notes, is quickly becoming one of the most popular with guests.

Bothey wines are incredibly well-rated. Image: The Bothey

BEST WINE, FOOD, GOLF EXPERIENCES

Like the wine tasting, a stay at Bothey unlocks amazing experiences that guests could never have otherwise. Because of Marcel and Katja’s connections, you can get bookings and exclusive experiences at some of Cape Town’s premier food, wine and golf destinations.

Marcel and Katja also offer golf days and wine tasting trips. Some of the province’s best wine estates are a short drive away, like Vergelegen, Lourensford, Morgenster, and one of Katja’s favourites, Muratie, where tastings take place in a rustic cellar with spiderweb-covered windows.

The bedroom in the Devil’s Peak suite. Image: The Bothey

POOL & BEACH DAYS, HIKING & MORE NEARBY

There’s plenty happening at Bothey to spend a day in too. The pool is open every afternoon, and under a pool lounger you might spot Truffle, the three-legged pug. He’s one of Marcel and Katja’s seven dogs (the dogs are kept away if guests prefer not to interact with them).

Most guests spend a few hours by the pool before ending their afternoon with a sundowner – each suite has a terrace with views of the most incredible sunsets. For quiet nights in, Marcel and Katja even offer pizza and braai nights on request.

It's a refined retreat surrounded by natural beauty. Image: The Bothey

Besides the nearby wine farms, Strand beach is less than 10 minutes away (with warmer water than most of Cape Town), and Helderberg Nature Reserve, Crystal Pools, and Jonkershoek are close by for hiking.

Whether you choose to stay in or go out, a stay at Bothey unlocks incredible experiences that  everyone else wishes they could book.

There are incredible sunsets. Image: The Bothey

STAY 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 Julia Rowley 

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