A little gem in the Karoo. So glad we chose this spot as having passed through many towns on our way through the Karoo there were some very dismal alternatives. However Carmel was lovely. The room was clean and comfortable and met our needs well. A lovely refreshing swimming pool as well. Breakfast the next morning was delicious and thank goodness it filled us up as it really was a desert from there onwards. Excellent value for money.

We would recommend self-catering as the meal we had at the local hotel was absolutely appalling! (How can you mess up lamb chops so badly in the Karoo?). The facilities at Carmel are ideal to prepare a simple meal or even have a braai. Our room was a little warm overnight in the Karoo heat.

We arrived very late but were greeted personally and shown around the cottage. The cottage had everything we needed; panel heaters, electric blankets and very comfortable bed and sheets. Small details like cookies and homemade fudge made it extra special. The breakfast was great and the hosts are lovely! We didn’t need anything for our overnight stay and would book there again any time.

Staying at Carmel Villa B&B was a truly delightful experience. The respect and care given to preserving the history of this beautiful guesthouse were evident in every detail, making it a pleasure to both see and experience. The house itself is a charming and peaceful space, perfect for anyone looking to enjoy a relaxing stay in a historic setting. The hosts were incredibly friendly and hospitable, making me feel right at home from the moment I arrived. I would highly recommend Carmel Villa B&B to anyone visiting the area—it’s a little gem that offers both comfort and character.

Unfortunately, the property does not have showers, which was a bit of a surprise upon arrival, especially considering the ongoing drought and water scarcity in the region. While the historical charm of the bathtub is appreciated, I believe it would be a worthwhile investment to replace it with a shower equipped with water-saving technology. This change would not only enhance guest convenience but also contribute positively to water conservation efforts.

Marcel is a fantastic host - he goes above and beyond. He explained everything nicely in the room. He made good recommendations for restaurants that is within walking distance. He greeted us early morning and opened the gate in the bad weather. The bedding and towels is of good quality and very comfortable. The electric blanket is a welcome addition for the cold winter evenings. The TV has good options on the DSTV hospitality package. There is coffee/tea facilities in the room that is more than sufficient.

The mountain view room has a bathroom (bath only) but it is part of the room. A room divider is supplied for privacy. Not a problem for us, but maybe for unmarried/private people or family it could be.

The hosts were very friendly and made our stay comfortable and enjoyable. The welcoming gifts of fudge and cookies were stocked daily and an absolute treat. We enjoyed a lovely breakfast with special touches. We slept like babies in the comfortable beds with electric blankets. The rooms and bathroom were spacious, and the kitchen was well equipped. The chalet was cleaned daily by a friendly lady. Safe parking behind a locked gate was much appreciated. Thank you for the most enjoyable stay.

Our stay came to an end. Would have loved to stay longer.

It was clean!!!!!. It had everything one needed for a one night stay. The host welcomed us after 9pm. Our car was parked inside a yard with a locked gate. Couldn't ask for anything more.

The water pressure is very high. Which makes for an excellent shower. But the water builds up in the shower as it would with a clogged drain. But I would rather take too strong water, than hopping around with 4 drops.

Hosts, building, location, etc.

This was my fault. I thought the room had a shower as well as a bath. It only had a handheld bath shower. I'm 6' 5", old with dodgy knees, and the bath was small. I made it, but only just 😀

This is a lovely stopover on the way to Upington. The house has a wonderful story about the first owner and the early life in Calvinia. The two-bedroom cottage has lovely rooms and is well set up to be an excellent self-catering venue. The breakfast is wonderful and, as the owners said, you won’t need to eat lunch. Highly recommend.

We booked into the outside flatlet for two. It was perfect. Clean, cosy and warm. A superb shower and everything we needed including electric blankets, a wall heater and little treats. We stayed for the breakfast, which was not to be missed. The owners gave us advice on our trip going forward and assisted us with securing a dinner booking at Die Blou Naartjie (also highly recommended).

Nothing

It felt like you were in a bygone era - the house was beautiful and the owners were friendly and helpful, and the breakfast was wonderful.

We had an open-air toilet in our room, which we were only advised of on our arrival. And even though there was an option of a free standing partician to separate the bedroom from the toilet, it afforded little privacy. I must make it clear that this is a preference, some might not have a problem with it.