The people at River Manor were amazingly kind, the breakfast was very good and they kept 're-stocking' it whenever someone had taken something from it. The location is very convenient and you can safely walk to the shops and restaurants which are just around the corner. We really loved the 'turndown' service with a bottle of water and the lights turned on by the bed.

We have had shorter beds at other places in South Africa, but for tall people (>1.80m) the beds are a bit too short. Maybe there are rooms available with extra large beds, but we didn't explore this option before we booked.

The staff were very attentive and friendly. The facilities are good. It's a lovely boutique hotel with all the little niceties you would want, like the living room sofas by the fireplaces in winter. Nice touch. Breakfast was also very nice - freshly cooked and all the other options. They have a lovely courtyard and 2 swimming pool areas. Standard rooms are ok but a bit small. I would recommend booking a much larger and more comfortable superior room. Finally, the location is great. It's a 4-5 min walk into the middle of town (very safe) with loads of great bars and restaurants to choose from.

The Staff were great nothing too much trouble. The breakfasts were great. Outside pool areas are lovely clean and well maintained, relaxing and a perfect place to sit and chill. Location is great within easy walking distance of shops and restaurants.

Parts of the property are in need of painting looks a bit tired eg downstairs resident toilet. Stair carpet in need of cleaning. Although the property itself is beautiful. Our deal at booking.com included dinner but no separate dinner menu was provided we had to choose off the lunch menu. Then we were offered two other alternatives it needed to ordered by 7pm. We only ate dinner the night we arrived as a consequence.

Our stay at The River Manor by Living Journey was nothing short of outstanding—an unforgettable experience that perfectly blended elegance, comfort, and warm South African hospitality. Nestled in the heart of Stellenbosch, this charming boutique hotel is a peaceful oasis that feels both secluded and yet wonderfully central, just a short walk to the town's vibrant cafes, galleries, and wine bars. From the moment we stepped through the gates, we were greeted with genuine warmth by the staff, whose attention to detail and pride in their service set the tone for a truly exceptional stay. We’d like to give a special commendation to Anathi, who truly went above and beyond during our stay. Her warmth, professionalism, and genuine care made a lasting impression on us. She anticipated our needs before we even voiced them and made each interaction feel personal and heartfelt. Anathi is a true gem and an incredible asset to the River Manor team. Our room was beautifully appointed—tastefully decorated with a blend of classic and contemporary touches, immaculately clean, and incredibly comfortable. The bed felt like sleeping on a cloud, and the little thoughtful touches—from luxurious toiletries to made it feel special. The gardens and pool area were serene and lush—ideal for relaxing after a day of exploring wine country. We often found ourselves lingering there just to soak up the tranquil atmosphere. Breakfast each morning was a highlight: a generous spread of fresh fruit, pastries, hot dishes made to order, and delicious coffee, all served in a bright, sunny space overlooking the garden. The staff were consistently attentive and kind—always ready with a smile or a helpful recommendation. What truly stood out at The River Manor was the staff. Every person we encountered went above and beyond to ensure we were comfortable and happy—from helping us with restaurant bookings to offering insider tips on wineries and nearby sights.

Beautiful garden area and spa facilities

That they didn’t have a dinner menu

The bedroom was lovely with air conditioning, a comfortable bed and large well equipped bathroom. The staff were very friendly and helpful. The two swimming pools were perfectly situated in a small but pretty garden. Breakfast was excellent with lots of variety on offer. The location is perfect for walking access to all the restaurants, shops and bars that Stellenbosch has to offer. The whole place felt like an oasis in the middle of a town.

There could have been more sun loungers in the shade

Great location, 5 mins walk to the centre of Stellenbosch, fabulous, friendly, welcoming staff, particularly the young guy on reception (didn’t get his name), great service from everyone. The gardens and pools are really nice with sun beds and towels. Plenty of lounge and outdoor space. Breakfast was very good with loads of choice and cooked breakfast options. Wi-Fi worked fine, and lots of cable TV channels in the room.

The bathroom was very small, and was quite dated, although very clean.

You cannot beat the location of this boutique hotel. The hotel is a collection of several beautiful historical buildings. The property has two pools, so there is no overcrowding. The staff is super friendly and always helpful with whatever your needs or wishes may be. The hotel offerers a complimentary hight tea and had a 24 hr coffee bar. The breakfast was absolutely the BEST with a huge selection of cold European and hot English/ American choices. Plenty of fresh fruits, yogurts and pastries. They also offer a light lunch and dinner menu. But the hotel is an easy 5min walk to the center of Stellenbosch with all its amazing and affordable restaurants, ice cream parlors and chic cafes.

Since the buildings are all historically, there is really only one international outlet option on the desk in each room. No other outlet by the bed for your phone. So if you have several devices like we did, you have to take turns in charging them. There is also no mini fridge in any of the rooms and the WiFi in our room (#6) was very weak to none, unless you kept the door open and they had to provide an extender to make it work

Characterful and personal and good location on the edge of town. The staff were particularly helpful and really friendly. The breakfast was delicious … it was lovely to help ourselves to fruits and other foods as well as be served a hot dish if we wanted it.

The water in the pools was too cold and our room at the front of the property was noisy from traffic.

All the staff were exceptional a pure delight The beds were comfortable. Breakfast service was efficient with a good selection though fresh juice would be a bonus rather than carton.

The description on Bookings.com needs refining, pool view, mountain view or not on bookings.com no view! The first room we were shown to was dark with the only window looking directly onto a tall fence but the staff were excellent and moved us to another room where at least we had a light street view. The addition of a small fridge in the rooms would be good. The sun loungers at one of the pools were rather disgusting the covers need a darn good clean.