Blog - Page 2

Richly dark, plain and smooth, studded with nuts, oozing from a fondant, steaming from a mug or poured over delicious, creamy gelato and in Stellenbosch...paired with wine. We adore chocolate in all its forms, and we completely get why the Aztecs, who were the first to discover it, believed it was a delicacy reserved for the gods. Fortunately, we mere mortals can now partake in the delectable taste sensation. But where can you go to experience the "Charlie in the Chocolate Factory" feeling? We are chock and block full of ideas.

When we think of Stellenbosch, we think of wine, but this town has so much more to offer.
Here are a few of our favourite things to do in and around Stellenbosch.

Join us as we Flikker & Flash through the streets of Stellenbosch

At the first Toyota SU Woordfees Artists Week (6-11 April) 70 top artists from across a variety of disciplines will have the opportunity to sharpen their skills, ideas and concepts under the mentorship of eight leading facilitators: theatre makers Andrew Buckland, Gcina Mhlophe, Mmatumisang Motsisi, Sylvaine Strike and Jefferson Tshabalala, dancer-choreographers Gregory Maqoma and Alfred Hinkel and the poet and performance artist Jolyn Phillips.

A perfect combination. Experience the majestic beauty of the mountain passes of Helshoogte, Franschhoek, Viljoen’s and Sir Lowry’s coupled with the winelands of Stellenbosch and Franschhoek.

The ultimate adventure seeker’s getaway in Stellenbosch

There’s no doubt that we head to Stellenbosch for its award-winning wine and breathtaking countryside. But adventure seekers may need a dash of adrenaline or a dose of exercise alongside Stellenbosch’s big-hearted welcome and flavourful foodie delights.

Adventure seeker’s take note: this might be the ultimate stay and play adventure in Stellenbosch!

BONNE ESPERANCE STELLENBOSCH READY PROTOCOL:

While no one can predict the path of this virus, Bonne Esperance Guest House would like to ensure you that we will continuously monitor developments and do our utmost to reduce the risk of potential contamination or spread of disease.
The safety and well-being of our guests and staff members are always our main priority and we are taking all possible steps to help keep our communities safe.

Here are some of the steps that Bonne Esperance have put in place for the safety and reassurance of staff and guests.

The COVID-19 protocol includes but is not limited to:

1. ARRIVAL:
Screening of guests on arrival has become necessary in accordance with the national state of disaster.
Upon arrival of guests at Bonne Esperance, guests will be required to:
 allow their temperature to be scanned with a thermal scanner
 complete and sign a questionnaire
 For multiple-day stays, daily temperature will be recorded (when arriving for breakfast or departing the Guest House each day).
If a guest’s temperature falls within the normal range and they do not show any symptoms they will be required to sanitise their hands and proceed to check-in.
If a guest’s temperature is high (actual temperature at screening should not exceed 37.5 degrees Celsius) and/or they have symptoms of the virus they will not be allowed to check-in and will be referred to a medical facility.

2. CHECK IN OF GUESTS:
 Guests will be requested to check in online prior to arrival to minimise direct contact, a screening questionnaire will be part of the online check in procedure.
 Guests are required to wear masks when in public areas, if guests do not have masks we will supply masks at check in.
 All luggage should either be sprayed with a disinfection spay or wiped with surface sanitiser. Staff handling luggage should sanitise or wash hands before and after touching luggage.
 All items on the front desk (pen, registration form and room keys) and the receptionists hands are sanitised, in front of the arriving guest, prior to any guest interaction. Guests are required to sanitise hands and credit cards, prior to interaction. The credit card machine is sanitised before and after every use. No cash will be accepted during this time. Credit card and cleared EFT payments only.

2. GUEST HAND SANITISERS
Alcohol based hand sanitisers are placed in easy reach of guests in public areas of the guest house.

3. REGULAR ROUTINE CLEANING
Public areas such as restrooms, breakfast rooms, restaurants are wiped down on a regular basis throughout the day with a disinfectant cleaner.

4. BREAKFAST
Due to the restrictions our usual buffet style breakfast cannot be served. Guests can choose between room service for breakfast or ordering from the a la carte menu in the breakfast room while adhering to social distancing protocol. The a la carte menu is available on our website or a once off use printed paper.

5. LAUNDRY:
Linen and towels are washed on the hottest wash cycle at 80°C. All linen will be ironed on a hot setting. Towels are tumble-dried until fully dry and hot enough to kill any potential viral matter.

6. ROOMS/CLEANING PRACTICES:
We have taken additional measures to align with recommendations from global and local public health authorities.
Our staff have received training on sanitising rooms. This also included how to handle linen and the sanitising of bathrooms. Staff wear the following PPE while cleaning rooms and bathrooms: face masks, disposable gloves and aprons.
On check-out all furniture and all surfaces including wall surfaces will be thoroughly cleaned with an effective disinfectant.
Room cleaning frequency may be reduced and linen change frequencies reduced to lower contamination risks.

The NICD Hotline is available to all staff and guests. In the event that anyone feels ill after travelling from countries with coronavirus, the South African Department of Health advises first phoning the National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD) helpline rather than going straight to a medical facility, to prevent potential contamination.
The NICD hotline number is 080 002 9999.

Bonne Esperance would like to ensure our guests that we will adhere to Stellenbosch Ready protocols to maintain the highest standard of cleanliness to ensure the safety of our guests.

Book your stay with us for September and qualify for a 50% discount as part of the "Support Stellenbosch" campaign. Bonne Esperance Guest House is located within easy walking distance of most of the restaurants who are participating in the "Support Stellenbosch" campaign.

Stellenbosch is well and truly open for business and ready to welcome you back to experience the #warmheart of the Winelands.

In a collaborative town effort – endorsed by the Stellenbosch Municipality, Stellenbosch University and Wesgro – we’ve launched an innovative Support Stellenbosch campaign which encourages visitors to support local business, experience our vibrant town, and be inspired to share this message with the world.

As part of this campaign, Stellenbosch has embarked on a multitude of exciting initiatives, including a restaurant rewards campaign, special deals, packages and much, much more.

"We’ve partnered with Stellenbosch company SnapScan… Anybody that goes to a restaurant in Stellenbosch and pays with SnapScan automatically gets up to 50% of their bill refunded as a voucher up to a maximum of R400. That becomes useable to spend at any other restaurant or hospitality establishment in Stellenbosch. But it does expire! … We’ve raised the cash – restaurants immediately get 100% of the cash owed to them… The money is all coming from Stellenbosch – the community is united…" The Money Show’s Bruce Whitfield interviewed Mike Ratcliffe, Chairperson of Visit Stellenbosch.

Did you miss out on a special celebration during the lockdown? Book the grand dining hall of Bonne Esperance guest house to celebrate the special occasion with a High Tea.

The setting is absolutely gorgeous with high ceilings, grand chandeliers, sash windows, wooden floors and a cosy fire place. The table will be set with a feast of delectable High Tea bites and we can customise the menu to suit your personal taste.

This is the perfect venue for a birthday, baby shower, kitchen tea or just a celebration of life with the people close to your heart.

Please look at the info sheet below for more information.

Phone 0218870225 to make a booking and discuss your menu today or send us an email to [email protected]

Bonne Esperance "Pop-up" Coffee Shop was born out of a hope to keep all staff employed despite the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on the hospitality business. We started with coffee, cake, pastries and quiches but soon the demand grew for our famous hot breakfasts. Come and enjoy a delicious Eggs Benedict in front of a cosy fire during colder days and the best omelet in town on the wrap-around veranda on a sunny day. We look forward to hosting you!

OPENING 12 August 2020

Bonne Esperance Guest House has been a part of the Stellenbosch landscape since 1907 and has played a major role in the lives of the owners and guests over the years. In the famous words of Winston Churchill: "We shape our buildings and afterwards our buildings shape us." If only the walls could talk to share all these stories!

Today the Victorian Villa creates jobs for 15 people with 39 dependents. Bonne Esperance, translated from French, means “GOOD HOPE”. Staying true to the essence of our name, we aim to build HOPE during these trying times. The pop-up coffee shop was opened to keep HOPE alive for our employees and their families. We set out to be a local #ProudlyStellenbosch destination.

Bonne Esperance wants to be the connection point for locals and visitors to our neighbourhood and our story. With this pop-up coffee shop, we aim to add HOPE to many more stories.

“May your choices reflect your hopes and not your fears” Nelson Mandela.

We are part of the Stellenbosch Ready campaign and pledge to adhere to the Stellenbosch Ready Covid-19 Protocols to ensure that our guests and visitors have a safe experience.

Operating hours:

Monday to Saturday 8:00-17:00
Sundays 8:00-14:00