An Airbnb Adventure

I hadn’t heard much about Airbnb when I signed up on their site, to do a last minute accommodation booking for an impromptu work trip to Cape Town.

Little did I know what I’d been missing out on all this time. Navigating the website was super easy. Even for someone in a hurry and my main dilemma came in trying to shortlist suitable available accommodation. Some of the images and write ups that accompany each ‘home’ description look like they are out of a larney high end lifestyle magazine. Choosing just one, proved harder than I’d expected.

Each new option I found, had sumptuous looking beds, pristine bathrooms, secluded balconies and charming private gardens. I don’t put too much thought into the accommodation I get for work trips, as I’m mostly only there for a night’s stay. So I narrowed my search parameters, found a few decent looking spots and picked one that looked like an adventure.

(A quick side note here; as a single, safety conscious female traveller, being able to read other travellers reviews is a huge bonus when making a booking)

I think I pretty much hit the ‘first timers’ Airbnb jackpot. My accommodation looked like it was custom designed with my solitude loving, hippie soul in mind…

Welcome to Beit Salem in Stellenbosch, a haven away from home.

On arrival it has the air of a high walled castle, but once the door is opened to a warm welcome from Betsie, the owner, you are transported into another realm.
I felt like I had arrived in a home where I belonged (not a common occurrence for me when travelling) and the noise and hustle and bustle of a busy day, melted away as the door clicked closed behind me.

I stayed in the upper room (there are a few options) and from the minute I walked in,  I didn’t want to ever leave. As in, like, never ever.
It’s a large, richly warm and yet simply decorated, open plan room with all the amenities you could want (including a piano!)

But the best part, for me, had to be doors opening out into the canopy of lush green trees, which towered over the large koi pond below.

The soothing sound of water trickling, drifted up into the room and served as the perfect soundtrack. I’d found my oasis.

I’ll definitely be making use of Airbnb for future trips. And I highly recommend, if you ever find yourself in need of accommodation in Stellenbosch, book into Beit Salem. You won’t regret it.