Fairview Historic Homestead

Fairview Historic Homestead Bed & Breakfast accommodation in George Western Cape

Description

Where history and hospitality meets... The Benkensteins opened their graceful Cape Georgian homestead for the enjoyment of visitors in 1997. Desmond is the creative force behind the glorious gardens and Philda runs the Guesthouse (the kitchen with it's open hearth and bakoond is also her domain.) They offer holiday and business accommodation in a unique Cape Georgian home, first registered in 1864 - in those days a farm on the outskirts of George , but today centrally situated in the Eastern side of town.

George is a large town set back from the ocean to the western end of the Garden Route and makes an excellent base from which to explore the garden route, which is famous for its scenic beauty, fynbos , long sandy beaches and some of the finest golf courses in the world. Golfers have a wide choice of world class courses nearby, with Fancourt only 6 km away, and for the less serious golfer or beginner there are many practice courses within a few kilometres.

It took a lot of hard work to recapture Fairview’s long lost splendour and elegance : you are invited to share in this beautiful home and gardens when you next choose accommodation on the Garden Route.

The grounds on which Fairview stand was first registered in 1861 in the names of Messrs. Swemmer and Meyer, directors of the first bank in George. When these two gentlemen found themselves in financial difficulty in 1894, they sold the farm to Koos and Miems Stander. They had sold their farm at Victoria Heights so that their 8 children could go to school from home.

Two sons became attorneys, one son qualified in Scotland as a dentist and all 5 daughters qualified as teachers. To get to Wellington Teachers College the girls travelled by horse-drawn cart to Mossel Bay, from there by ship to Cape Town and then by train to Wellington! Koos Stander was Mayor of George from 1926 to 1932 and the house stayed in the Stander family from 1894 to 1974. In those days it was a big apple and cattle farm on the outskirts of George; today it is centrally situated in the suburb of Bergsig and the grounds measure 3800 m² .

The Benkensteins lived in Namibia for 13 years. They bought Fairview in 1994 and took up the challenge to rescue this historic George landmark. The 4 chimneys and fireplaces needed radical repairs before they could be used again and most of the light fittings were removed and had to be replaced with antique ones again. Waterproofing of the clay walls also proved to be a major challenge, as was the stripping of the many layers of paint – this time consuming job was contracted out to a specialist team and took nine months to complete.

The house is now fully restored to it’s long lost splendour and elegance and is listed with the National Monument’s Council as well as the local George Heritage Trust. Desmond is the creative spirit behind the glorious gardens and Philda manages the Guest House.

Accommodation

Room 1 | Superior Double Room
SLEEPS 2 ADULTS

This lovely room has an antique four poster wrought iron and brass extra length double bed. French doors open onto the lavender garden. It has a working Victorian fireplace. For guests in wheelchairs, I have a transfer board available for the bath.
Room size: 28,4 m²Room 2 | Superior Double Room
SLEEPS 2 ADULTS + 1

This charming room receives afternoon sun, with French doors opening onto the lavender garden. It has an antique four poster wrought iron and brass extra length queen sized bed. There is a microwave and bar fridge for your convenience. The room has a shower en suite. There is a cosy sitting area in front of the working fireplace.
Room size: 31,7 m²

Room 3 | Luxury Family Room
SLEEPS 3 ADULTS

This room is on the first floor. It has been divided into two rooms, giving privacy to the further.
The main room 19,2 m². En suite with shower. Extra length twin beds can be made up as king sized bed on request.
The other room measures 17,6 m². En suite with bath. It has a 3/4 bed and a cot.
Total size: 36,8 m²

Room 4 | Standard Room
SLEEPS 2 ADULTS

The studio, independent to the main house, consists of a bedroom with a double bed with en-suite to the right (wheelchair friendly shower) and a kitchenette to the left of the bedroom. Sunny private garden with braai facility.

There is parking behind security gates. Guests have the use of a swimming pool. All bed linen, bath towels and kitchen towels are provided; serviced during the week. Breakfasts available on request in the main Guest House.
Studio size: 27,5 m²

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