Simonsberg Silos: Unique Cottage Break-Away

by Marica Fick

If you are looking for rather unusual and whimsical weekend getaway accommodation, we might just have found the place!

Positioned on the shadowy lower slopes of the beautiful and majestic Simonsberg Mountains just outside Stellenbosch you will find two unique self-catering cottages. Used as grain storage and then stables in a previous life, the dilapidated old silos were lovingly restored by farm owners Alex and Sumari Milner into something all-together different.

The Simonsberg Silos are located on the leafy and historic farm, Natte Valleij, in the Klapmuts winelands district. The farm and manor house overflows with rustic charm. Seeped in history, the Cape Dutch homestead, old wine cellars, brandy stills, magnificent mature gardens with ancient trees, pergolas and ponds are all surrounded by whitewashed walls.

The first thing you notice when entering the silos through the charming blue-painted front door is the bold geometric patterned floor tiles (blue for the one silo, green for the other) and a gorgeous sweeping staircase. The staircase was handcrafted with reclaimed Oregon pine which the Milners had sourced and stockpiled for future use. The couple was set on keeping the silos as true and authentic to the original structure as possible. “When you’re working with an older building, the more you can use from it the more sympathetic it’s going to be,” Alex commented in a recent interview with VISI.

Each silo contains a living area with a small “kitchenette” with a coffee station, fridge and microwave for quick bites and to satisfy a thirsty throat. The staircase leads up to a loft bedroom with a comfy queen-size bed. Tucked away under the staircase you will find a gorgeous wooden door, another reclaimed feature, which leads to a compact and contemporary bathroom with a shower, toilet and hand basin.

“Looking out of the upstairs bedroom window makes you feel like you’re a child in a fairy tale,” says Sumari. By the way, is it just me or does the Silos remind you of Moomin’s house?! Need a memory refresh? Watch this Moomin intro video for an instant nostalgic blast from the past.

For more lovely shots of the silo cottages or to book a stay, check it out on Airbnb: here.

All photos via Simonsberg Silos.