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I’ve found that among all the beautiful towns in the Western Cape, nothing quite has a hold on me like Montagu.

The nearby wine region? Iconic.

The local food? Delectable.

The natural scenery? Shut up and take my money already.

Then there’s the accommodation.

While there are a few stock standard hotels and Airbnbs in the town, Montagu has some incredible gems that’ll blow your socks off.

Case in point: Stil, a serene artistic escape.

Full of every luxurious amenity your heart desires, a private art gallery, and walking distance to one of the best restaurants in town – it’s the place to spend a weekend in Montagu.

Here’s my full review of Stil and what you can expect while exploring Montagu!

Psst…Want more Western Cape accommodation inspiration? Check out these other posts:

Table of Contents

How to Get to Stil in Montagu
The Location
Stil: An Architectural Digest Dream
The Art
Where to Eat in Montagu
The Best Wine Estates to Visit Near Montagu
Stil in Montagu Review: Final Thoughts

How to Get to Stil in Montagu

Only 2 hours and 25 minutes from Cape Town City Center, Stil is the perfect distance for a weekend escape.

Plus, the N1 route takes you right past Chenin country, Rawsonville.

The Chenin I’ve had here is unmatched. If you have the time and want to break up your journey, pull into one of the estates here for a tasting.

But the highlight of the drive? The Kogmanskloof Mountain Pass.

You drive through a rock arch, and some of the most psychedelic rock formations I’ve seen in my life are on the other side.

That alone is worth the drive from Cape Town.

The Location

mountains surrounding Montagu in South Africa

Montagu is a charming small town along the iconic Route 62 in South Africa.

Its claim to fame?

In 1922, Montagu became the first town to generate its own electricity.

Nowadays, Montagu’s irresistible blend of Cape Dutch, Victorian, and Georgian architectural styles draws in visitors from all over, along with its renowned hot springs, exceptional rock climbing routes (Montagu’s nickname is the “mountain mecca of the Cape”), and its proximity to one of South Africa’s finest wine routes – Robertson wine valley.

All of this sets the scene for an exceptional weekend getaway at Stil.

Stil: An Architectural Digest Dream

What would your dream home look like?

It’s a question I ask myself at least once a month. Floor-to-ceiling windows, an open-plan kitchen, and a jungle for a garden are a few of the things on my homeowner’s bucket list.

While I’m still daydreaming about my creation, Martly and Hanno Calitz have manifested theirs – Stil.

In collaboration with interior designer Hendre Bloem, the trio set about curating a tranquil getaway in Montagu that brings together art, luxury, and the best Montagu has to offer.

The inspiration behind the contemporary home? To build a timeless getaway that evokes stillness.

And if you love your architecture, you’ll notice Stil draws on elements from the old-school Cape Dutch style as well as Scandinavian and Japanese design.

A continuous thread of minimalism creates a spacious atmosphere where every piece of furniture is intentional, and the architectural details flow seamlessly into each other.

My top highlight?

Most of the rooms open to the garden, creating a seamless flow and making it nearly impossible to resist jumping into the plunge pool.

The Amenities

Over-sized king-sized bed
Indoor fireplace x2 (bedroom & lounge)
Fully equipped kitchen
Air conditioning
Fast, reliable, uncapped WiFi
Complimentary bottle of wine
Plunge pool
Rooftop terrace

Psss… In need of a massage? Stil can organise a masseuse to come to the property!

The Art

What sets Stil apart from other villas in Montagu?

The art collection.

As soon as you drive through the gates, you enter a private Anton Smit sculpture garden.

Who is Anton?

He is a renowned South African sculptor whose work features in public and private collections around the world.

At Stil, his intricate sculptures are dotted around the garden and home. Each piece works together to create a contemplative atmosphere in the home and encourages you to explore the entire property.

Where to Eat in Montagu

One thing that took me completely by surprise was the food scene in Montagu.

I arrived thinking I’d get the usual small-town fare, but I was wrong.

So, deliciously wrong.

Whether I stopped at a small cafe for breakfast or a bustling restaurant for dinner, the menu, wine list, and quality of food hit it out of the park every. damn. time.

Here are some of my favourites for your gastronomy bucket list.

22 on Church

A small-town restaurant with a waitlist for dinner? The foodie in me had to see what all the fuss was about, and 22 on Church exceeded my expectations.

You’ll find something mouthwatering on the farm-to-table menu whether you’re an omnivore or plant-based like me.

The miso-glazed roasted butternut altered the trajectory of my life. I discovered a new Springfield vintage on the wine list and had a 12/10 creme brulee.

Take my advice.

Book well in advance and come here hungry. You will want to try something off the starter, main and dessert menus.

BluVines

For a decent brunch or lunch, I highly recommend swinging past BluVines.

The all-day dining menu is gourmet, with beautifully presented dishes and a decent wine list to boot.

If you’re in town as a digital nomad, the cafe has plug points and fast WiFi (when there isn’t load shedding.)

Ask about the vegan specials of the day or nip the cheese off linguini ricardo pasta.

The Pastry Place

The Pastry Place is a delightful gem worth the early morning wake-up call.

Why the need for an alarm?

If you get there too late, you won’t find a single freshly-baked croissant, ciabatta or any other sweet treat left for breakfast.

I arrived just after 10:00 am and got the last two almond croissants and pastel de natas.

And believe me. You do not want to miss out.

Especially when these treats are made by an executive chef-baker-pastry chef-chocolatier with 25 years of experience.

Say that 3x fast.

The Best Wine Estates to Visit Near Montagu

Montagu is next door to my favourite wine route in South Africa – the Robertson Wine Valley.

If you love delicious easy-to-drink red wines, creamy chardonnay, and lively Cap Classique, you’ll fall head over heels and come home with a trunk full of top South African wines.

P.S. Many of these wine farms don’t sell their vintages in the shops. If you want to place an order, you usually have to order a large quantity *cough* looking at you, Weltevrede *cough cough*.

So if you find something you like, spoil yourself.

Without further adieu, here are the wine estates that deserve a spot on your Montagu itinerary.

Weltevrede Wine Estate: Hands down, Weltevrede makes the best chardonnay in South Africa. The best way to appreciate it? Sign up for the Captivated By Chardonnay tour and learn the secrets that make the estate’s vintages so delectable and unique. If you’re more of a bubbly person, Weltevrede has an incredible Cap Classique tour where you can cork and label your own bottle to take home.

Springfield Wine Estate: To be honest, I’m not the biggest red wine person. However, if there is a bottle of Springfield in my vicinity, it’s going in my belly. The estate produces my favourite Cabernet Sauvignon, Whole Berry, as well as an incredible Sauvignon Blanc, Life From Stone. Springfield has a beautiful outdoor area for wine tastings and has all the charm of a fairytale castle with exposed brick and creeping Ivy covering the walls.

Excelsior Wine Estate: Excelsior offers one of the most unique wine experiences in the Western Cape. Visit the estate, and you can blend your own red wine. I did this on my first trip and was pleasantly surprised at how well it turned out. Now, if only I could remember my exact Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Shiraz ratio…

Stil in Montagu Review: Final Thoughts

Wrapping it up, Stil is a wonderful weekend getaway for couples who want something more elevated from a standard hotel stay.

If you love art, appreciate unique architecture and want to stay in the heart of Montagu – Stil is the spot for you.

You’ll have all the privacy you need for a romantic rendevous, incredible views for sundowners, and be in a prime spot for exploring the best wine route in South Africa.

(In my humble opinion, of course.)

Have any questions about staying at Stil in Montagu? Hit ya gurl up in the comments below.

If you like it, then you better put a pin on it!

Escape to Stil, Montagu: A Serene Artistic Getaway for Couples

How to Get to Stil in Montagu

The Location

Stil: An Architectural Digest Dream

The Art