Mo & Rose Review: A Delightful Countryside Escape in Robertson

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There’s something special about road trips in the Western Cape. Passing through rolling fields of canola fields, towering mountains in the distance, and picturesque little towns, it’s the disconnect from the city my soul craves.

But the scenery is only the tip of the iceberg.

As with everything else in the province, things only get better when you arrive at your destination.

Especially when that destination is Robertson (a wine region that will steal you away from firm favourites like Stellenbosch), and you’re checking into Mo & Rose (a boutique hotel at the foot of the Langeberg mountains).

Only minutes from some of the best wineries in the valley, it’s a lush escape that will keep you coming back for more.

Here’s what I thought of the property, alongside what else you can expect from a weekend in Robertson Wine Valley!

Psst…Want more South Africa travel tips? Check out these other posts:

Table of Contents

How to Get to Mo & Rose
The Garden Guesthouse
Food at Mo & Rose
What to Do in Robertson: Exploring the Wine Route
Mo & Rose: Final Thoughts

How to Get to Mo & Rose

woman standing in garden with white dress in Robertson

What I love about Mo & Rose is its weekend getaway distance from Cape Town. Only a two-hour drive along the N1, it’s far enough to make you forget about the humdrum of the city but not long enough to make you get cabin fever in the car.

If you want a more scenic drive up to the hotel, hop on the N2 and drive down to Elgin. Once you get here, turn onto the R43 and follow it up until you reach the R60.

You’ll drive past the spectacular Hottentots-Holland Mountain range, and it’s 10x more beautiful than the N1 route.

Read More: Staying at Old Mac Daddy in Elgin

The Garden Guesthouse

After spending the night in Somerset West, we made our way to Mo & Rose in the late morning.

As we pulled into the boutique hotel, passing lush wine estates and desert-like manicured gardens, we got the feeling we were driving into some kind of beautiful mirage…

…A secluded oasis with a homey feel.

After a warm welcome, the owner guided us through a gigantic garden full of towering cacti and blossoming flowers to our spacious suite.

…And I had to pick my jaw off the floor.

The bed? Massive.
A desk? Hello, catching up on emails.
A fireplace? Don’t mind if I do.
En-suite bathroom? Coming in hot with a tub and a shower

But the real scene-stealer? The chocolates on the pillows and a complimentary bottle of Pinotage – my love language. 😍

The space is perfect for business travellers, remote workers (like me), or couples (no kids allowed) looking to disconnect and reconnect.

The Amenities

King-sized extra length bed
Underfloor heating in the bathroom
Air conditioning
Fast, reliable, uncapped WiFi
Minibar with Nespresso machine
Complimentary toiletries
Private patio
Lounge area
TV with DSTV
Hairdryer

Food at Mo & Rose

As with any visit to Robertson, its gastronomy is where the region really shines.

Mo & Rose is no exception.

With an in-house chef, your tummy grumbles are in good hands at The Botanical Restaurant. Set in a gorgeous glasshouse, the light floods in and gives you uninterrupted views of the cacti garden.

Breakfast here is an event, not a single and quick meal. It starts with the classics: A bowl of freshly sliced fruits and yoghurt and fruit parfait.

Next, you move on to the main event: Your “hot” breakfast. For the omnivores, this is when you can feast on omelettes and bacon. For the vegans, the chef will do her best to whip you up something equally delicious and filling.

For my breakfasts, I had avocado toast with strawberry toppings. Strange combination, I know, but it’s somehow delicious. On day two, the chef served up a chickpea medley with peppers and slices of avocado.

If you do decide to stay for dinner, The Botanical will not let you down. Choose your bottle of wine (I highly suggest the Springfield cabernet sauvignon) and get ready for a three-course meal fit for the gods.

What’s extra special about eating here is the chef’s South African flavours. She incorporates a lot of local comfort food favourites onto her menu, and the food hits that nostalgia sweet spot.

What to Do in Robertson: Exploring the Wine Route

There is only one thing to do in wine country: sip and swirl your way through the estates.

With only two days in the region, I didn’t sample everything, but I got a taste for Robertson. I’ll definitely be back to explore more of the region and bring home another six bottles of wine.

Here are some of the Robertson wine estates to add to your boozy weekend getaway bucket list:

Esona: Offers a unique multi-sensory wine tasting experience and has an on-site restaurant with incredible views of the valley.

Silverthorn: A intimate, world-class MCC bubbly tasting with captivating storytelling and a one-of-kind production process. Ask to see the fossils and Green Man mask!

Zandvliet: Come here for the Shiraz, stay for the history and delicious food. The vegetarian platter after a tasting is 12/10 indulgent and worth every penny.

Springfield: The home of one of the best cabernet sauvignon’s in South Africa.

Mo & Rose: Final Thoughts

Mo & Rose is a weekend escape for winos who appreciate good food, delectable vintages, and showstopping scenery.

If you’re itching for a break from the usual suspects (*cough Stellenbosch cough*), visit Robertson and see what all the fuss is about.

The crowds are thinner, the wine is (dare I say) better, and the accommodation is affordable without skimping on luxury.

With boutique hotels like Mo & Rose, you can splurge on a gorgeous room, delicious meals, and all the activities without breaking the bank, making it the ultimate getaway from Cape Town.

Thank you to Mo & Rose and Hot Oven Marketing for inviting me to stay. As usual, all opinions are my own.