LOCATION
Andes Guest Farm is in Bethlehem in the Free State, just outside Clarens.
GETTING THERE
Drive from Durban or Joburg, four to five hours into the Free State, heading to Lesotho.
The GPS will suggest driving through Villiers from the Gauteng side, but avoid a longer trip and the potholes by taking the Warden offramp near Harrismith.
STYLE
We were expecting a rustic farm, which it is, but also found a country-chic wedding venue. After we drove through cattle pastures, the stone road revealed a sign for the boskerk, the barn and accommodation.
While the farm is Free State mountain country, the rooms are set on fine grassy lawns with manicured floral displays.
Sandstone buildings are set off the English-style garden, sculptured with water features and pretty pots of pansies or petunias. They lead onto indigenous fields , and the mountains beyond.
ROOMS
There are just two guest rooms, adjoining each other but they can be booked separately. Romantically inclined to cold weather, it is a hidey hole of sheepskin blankets, wingback chairs and Persian-style rugs.
There is a kitchenette with fine china and a few essentials.
The best bit is the egg-shaped bath, warmed by overhead heating lights, from which you can see the soft, four-poster bed to lure you out, eventually.
FACILITIES
You could sit on the patio or enjoy the gardens while someone enterprising braais under the watch of the farm's three inquiring, gentle, giant dogs. There is a little stove, microwave oven and a fridge for easy meals in. If the weather is good, there are game drives to spot buck on the farm, where elegant Brahman cows also roam. There's a television and erratic wifi for those who want to switch on.
THE TO-DO LIST
Drive into Bethlehem for hiking or outdoor mountain activities. The micro-town has a casino/mall as its meeting place.
Otherwise, head into Clarens, the quintessential mountain town, which has become so popular that you are likely to meet someone you know from home.
Or drive past Clarens into the Golden Gate National Park for a spectacular collection of sandstone mountains and rock formations.
THE EATING
Bring and braai if you are organised and don't mind microwave jacket potatoes. The venue does a hearty breakfast at R130 per person, booked the night before. Fairies leave a bottle of wine and nibbles outside your door at sunset.
RATES
Around R1,900 pppn.
CONTACT
Visit andesclarens.co.za..