Roadtrip! Cape Town to Caledon Spa Hotel

It’s been way too long since my brother Nick and I had some sibling adventures, so we planned a fun roadtrip up the East Coast of the Western Cape.

We kicked things off at Guardian Peak in Stellenbosch, a dreamy little wine estate perched perfectly between vineyards and views.

So… wine tasting might not have been the best idea for someone who gets tipsy from one glass. We chose the four-wine tasting: Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot, Shiraz, and another one I can’t remember (possibly because… see above). Honestly? I usually hate wine. I’m a “sip and suffer through it” kind of gal. But the three reds? Delicious. Smooth, warm, a little like drinking velvet. I actually liked them.

We stayed for lunch because drinking on an empty stomach = adulting fail. I went for the tempura prawn and calamari with a side of sweet potato. It was… fine. Not amazing, but not terrible.

BUT the service was fantastic. Super friendly, attentive, and they even laughed at my lame jokes (thanks, Shiraz).

If you’re planning the same route:
🗺️ Guardian Peak is a fab pit stop: wine, views, and a chance to eat something fancier than petrol station pies.
🍷 Check the wine list before you commit.
🥴 Don’t trust yourself with wine and then a two-hour drive. (Or do. YOLO.)
💡 Service = 10/10. Food = 6.5/10. Views = 100/10. Vibes = excellent.

Next Stop: Caledon Hotel & Spa – Relaxation & Hot Pools at Sunset

We finally made it to our main destination: Caledon Hotel & Spa. And wow – what a welcome.

We arrived just after 2pm, right on check-in time (pat on the back for that one), and were greeted by Eugene, our shuttle driver-slash-hotel-tour-guide-slash-absolute legend. He whisked us off from the parking area to the hotel in no time and gave us the full low-down on where everything is, how it all works, and what not to miss. Honestly, for first-timers like us, this was super helpful and he did it all with the kind of efficiency that made me feel like I should probably get my life together too.

Room With a View? Yes Please! Our rooms look out over the dam in front of the hotel, and let me tell you, it’s GORGEOUS. We settled in and then wandered up to explore the pools just before sunset.

The Pools: Heat & Hot-Tub Superman

So here’s the thing about Caledon’s mineral pools – they get hotter the higher up you go. We started at Pool #2 which had a recommended relax time of 15 minutes, so we chilled there first.

After 10 minutes, we moved up to the next pool, where the recommended soak time drops to 10 minutes. The waterfalls pouring in were absolutely beautiful, and the whole area started to feel like some tropical fantasy (minus the cocktails… next time, I’m sneaking one in).

Then came Pool #4. Heaven. Literal heaven. That warm-but-not-too-hot, wrap-you-in-a-hug kind of heat. Recommended soak time: 5 minutes. (Naturally, we ignored that.)

Now. Let me tell you about Pool #5, otherwise known as the pool where Nick became airborne. He stuck his foot in, gave a little “hmmm”, shrugged, and jumped in like he was entering a warm bath.

Guys. He. Shot. Out. Like. A. Cat.

I have never, and I mean NEVER – laughed so hard in my life. It was like watching Jesus rise from the dead, but faster and with a lot more squealing. I swear he hovered mid-air for a second. No wings, no warning, just Nick flying through the steam like a man who touched the sun.

Safe to say… Pool #5 is a little hot.

Besides the spa-worthy views and volcanic bathing options, there are beautifully clean changing and showering facilities right by the pools. There are also lockable cabinets for your things.

Caledon Hotel & Spa is honestly the perfect affordable romantic getaway – just enough luxury, lots of nature, no chaos, and a few good laughs (thanks again, Nick 😂).