River Manor Boutique Hotel

An iconic Stellenbosch establishment, River Manor Boutique Hotel

is housed in two adjacent manor homes on the banks of the Eerste River. This is where it all began for the historic town of Stellenbosch.

Lying a few dozen meters from the front door of the boutique hotel, is the spot where the Dutch Governor of the Cape, Simon van der Stel, first camped in the late 1600s during an exploration trip. Admiring the picturesque valley and recognizing a wealth of natural vegetation, the governor commemorated his own name, calling the area Stellenbosch. Within a year of this discovery settlers had begun flocking to the area to establish farms, officially founding a town in 1685.

By the late 1800s, Stellenbosch was a thriving agricultural region with an established and prominent town. The Avenue, where the boutique hotel is now located, was at this time being populated by stately Victorian manor homes and rectories, including number 6 and number 8. A park on one side of the road became a popular place for the community to gather, especially on days when local Stellenbosch musicians were performing at the bandstand. The oak-lined Avenue, which is affectionately referred to as “Lovers’ Lane”, became a popular spot for young couples to meet for tete-a-tetes, strolling down the avenue and pathways that meander through the park. The institution that would go on to become Stellenbosch University was also founded during this time, firmly establishing the town’s reputation as a centre for academic excellence in South Africa.