Mirtehof Guest Farm Estate — Hotel in Prince Albert Local Municipality

An Oasis in the Small Karoo.

It’s my second visit to Mirtehof Guest Farm in Prince Albert. When I thought of a place to rest at the end of 2020, I immediately remembered the sanctuary that Mirtehof provided me on a solo trip last year. It’s a guest farm in the charming one-street town of Prince Albert. The small Karoo is a semi-desert region of South Africa. So it is completely unexpected to enter the gates to a garden oasis within Mirtehof. The garden is a triumph in the tyranny of the desert heat and dryness.

Only 3 years old, with its biblical fig tree at its centre, it teems with life. At this young age, this garden’s maturity defies its years. You can walk down the basil ally with satisfied bees at work. Or rest on a bench beneath the arch of grape vines. Or drift into a nap to the sound of birds swinging on the hanging chairs. You will also find a rich selection of edible plants which reflects the spirit of self-reliance of the Karoo.

The rooms and cottages are decorated very tastefully with a mix of cultural influences. It’s not often that you travel the South African countryside as a black person and not feel the Afrikaans heritage shoved down your throat. With our past this is a painful reminder of how we, as black people were disposed and oppressed for this heritage that is brandished without regard for how black travelers feel. Mirtehof achieves a warm welcome to its guests through decor decisions that are simply about what is beautiful.

The staff remains very friendly, relaxed yet professional; a good balance. On this trip I thought I had booked the full self-catering cottage for lunch and dinner, and had brought along groceries. Instead of my food going to waste, they humbly allowed me to use the main kitchen to prepare my quick meals daily.

The breakfast at Mirtehof is simply delicious by the way. This morning I had the most perfect eggs Benedict with hollandaise sauce, salmon ribbons and par poached egg.

This is a guest farm I hesitate to share because I want to keep it to myself for a little longer but that wouldn’t be fair to the people who have worked hard to make it a special oasis in the middle of the...

I stayed at Mirtehof for two nights and it was one of the most peaceful and refreshing getaways I’ve experienced.||The journey there was already part of the adventure — I highly recommend taking the route over the Swartberg Pass from the Oudtshoorn side. The scenery is absolutely breathtaking and sets the tone for what awaits at Mirtehof.||From the moment I arrived, I was struck by the tranquillity of the surroundings. There’s a stillness here that calms the soul — a rare kind of peace that makes you instantly slow down.||Breakfast under the trees was a daily highlight: birds chirping, dappled sunlight, and the most delicious freshly baked scones served with organic strawberry, fig, and apricot jam, as well as local honey. It was truly a serene and grounding start to each day.||The gardens are immaculate, reminding me of a small Babylonstoren — every corner beautifully tended and full of surprises. Walking through the garden with farm animals gently roaming nearby added to the authentic Karoo farm experience.||My accommodation was extremely comfortable, with superb bedding and high-quality linen that made for an excellent night’s rest.||The owners are on site daily, which adds a personal and caring touch to the experience. A special word of thanks to Martina and the management team, who were always attentive, and to the friendly and helpful staff, who made me feel genuinely welcome throughout my stay.||Mirtehof is a gem — whether you're seeking a romantic escape, a solo retreat, or just a breath of fresh Karoo air, it offers a truly...

I don’t normally write reviews but the Mirtehof guest house far exceeded our expectations and was one of the most enjoyable and relaxing stays of our two-week trip to South Africa. The room and gardens were lovely and the morning breakfast just so delicious. I don’t’ recall having slept in a bed were the mattress and pillows were so comfortable. The scones and fig jam with the morning breakfast were just to die for so much so that we bought two jars of the same fig jam from Gay’s diary in Prince Albert. A big thank you to our host Tish who made us so welcome and arranged a most enjoyable evening meal at The Prince Albert Café. We would have loved to have stayed longer and will...