Profile
La Plume Boutique Hotel & Spa Oudtshoorn is one of the Klein Karoo’s most celebrated 5-star destinations — a grand 1902 Victorian manor house set on a sixth-generation working ostrich, alfalfa, and cattle farm on the R62 just 2.5 km from Oudtshoorn, where lush green grass terraces, vibrant gardens, and the spectacular panorama of the Swartberg Mountains and Olifants River Valley create a setting of extraordinary natural beauty and historical resonance. Rated 9.1 by recent Booking.com guests, La Plume combines the old-world grandeur of its Victorian heritage with TGCSA five-star luxury across a range of executive suites, superior suites, deluxe suites, junior suites, luxury suites, and villas — some with private pools — alongside a full-service spa, the acclaimed La Belle Vue restaurant, a Victorian garden gazebo for ceremonies, an event venue for up to 250 guests, a Victorian-era Post Office Bar, and a concierge service connecting guests to the Klein Karoo’s best activities: the Cango Caves, ostrich show farms, Cango Wildlife Ranch, meerkat conservation tours, the Swartberg Pass, and Rust & Vrede Waterfall.
The 1902 Victorian Manor: History, Architecture, and Six Generations
The 1902 Victorian Manor House is the architectural and emotional heart of La Plume. Built at the height of Oudtshoorn’s legendary ostrich feather boom — a period of extraordinary wealth that produced the grand “Feather Palaces” that still define the town’s Victorian streetscape — the manor sits in the centre of the farm property, housing the reception, two serviced guest lounges, a panoramic view veranda, and La Belle Vue restaurant. Its architecture is authentically Victorian: high ceilings, wrap-around verandas, period antiques, and a formal grandeur that has been preserved and enhanced rather than replaced.
The farm itself is a sixth-generation family property — a statement of continuity and belonging that gives La Plume a character no recently developed boutique hotel can replicate. Six generations of family stewardship have shaped the land, the buildings, and the hospitality culture that guests experience today. TripAdvisor guests consistently describe it as “true 5-star accommodation and service” with rooms featuring “classic antique furniture, incredibly comfortable beds and bedding.”
Accommodation: Suites, Villas, and Private Pools
La Plume’s accommodation spans a full range of five-star room types, all with private entrances and veranda views of the Swartberg Mountains and Olifants River Valley:
Executive Suites — the flagship room category, combining timeless glamour with the highest standard of modern comfort.
Superior Suites — refined and spacious, combining period character with modern amenities.
Deluxe Suites — well-appointed with all the signature La Plume touches: antique furniture, air-conditioning, en-suite bathrooms with bathtub and walk-in shower, personal safe, and DStv.
Junior Suites — beautifully furnished and charming, an excellent entry point to the La Plume experience.
Luxury Suites — elegant and spacious, with private veranda access and mountain views.
Villas (including Plume Cottage and Private Farm Villa) — the top-tier accommodation, some featuring private pools. Plume Cottage accommodates up to 5 guests; the Private Farm Villa accommodates 4 or 6 and is available for sole-use bookings. Some units include a fully equipped kitchen with dishwasher, oven, and microwave.
Across all room types, every unit has air-conditioning, a private entrance, mountain or valley views from the veranda, and access to the estate’s full facilities. The “spekboom touches in the bathroom” (noted by a Booking.com reviewer) reflect La Plume’s commitment to incorporating the Klein Karoo’s natural plant life into the guest experience. Babies and children of all ages are welcome; babysitting is available on request. Rates start from R3,490 per night for two guests on the more affordable offering. Free Wi-Fi and parking are included.
La Belle Vue Restaurant: Farm Views and Fine Dining
La Belle Vue is La Plume’s on-site restaurant — a family-friendly fine dining space offering the iconic view across the Olifants River Valley that gives the restaurant its name (“La Belle Vue” — “the beautiful view”). The restaurant serves:
- Buffet and à la carte breakfast with warm dishes, local specialities, and pancakes
- Dinner with local and international cuisine
- Brunch on selected occasions
- Cocktails
- High tea
- Packed lunches available on request for guests heading out for activities
Booking.com reviewers describe the meals as “first class — everything was just first class,” with specific praise for the quality of the cooking, presentation, and the uniqueness of staying on a working ostrich farm while dining at a restaurant of this calibre. A separate snack bar provides casual refreshments throughout the day.
The Spa: Full Wellness Menu in the Klein Karoo
La Plume’s on-site spa offers a comprehensive wellness and beauty menu that makes the estate a genuine destination for relaxation as much as sightseeing:
- Hot stone massages and facials
- Full body massages
- Back, neck, foot, head, and hand massages
- Couples massages
- Body wraps
- Steam room
- Foot baths
- Spa lounge and relaxation area
- Complete bridal spa packages for wedding parties
Hotels.com guests specifically call out the spa as “great” — a genuine highlight of the La Plume experience rather than a supplementary afterthought.
Weddings: Victorian Gazebo, Tented Gardens, and Up to 250 Guests
La Plume’s wedding offering centres on three complementary spaces:
The Victorian Garden Gazebo — a beautiful outdoor ceremony structure set in the estate’s gardens, providing a period-appropriate ceremony setting with the Swartberg Mountains as a backdrop.
The Tented Reception Space — a beautiful tented area in the gardens for outdoor receptions with a countryside character.
The Main Event Venue — the indoor banqueting space accommodating 60 to 250 guests (in the small-to-large format the website describes as “wedding parties of 60–220 will have the time of their lives dancing till late hours”), with a separate buffet area, intimate lounge and coffee station, Post Office Bar (fully licensed), and newly built restrooms.
All wedding services are coordinated by La Plume’s professional banqueting team — handling accommodation arrangements, event planning, flowers and décor, food and licensed bar, childcare, and more. Accommodation at discounted rates is available for the wedding couple and their guests. Complete bridal spa packages are available for the wedding party.
The Post Office Bar: Victorian Character
The Post Office Bar is La Plume’s in-house licensed bar — a space with the kind of Victorian character and historical resonance that perfectly complements the estate’s broader aesthetic. The bar is part of the event infrastructure for functions and also available to overnight guests for evening drinks and socialising.
Farm Activities and Klein Karoo Adventures
La Plume’s farm setting — a working ostrich, alfalfa, and cattle operation — provides guests with the unique experience of staying on a farm that has been cultivating the Klein Karoo landscape for six generations. Farm tours are offered on-site. Free use of bicycles is available for cycling in the surrounding countryside. The concierge team can arrange:
- Cango Caves
- Ostrich Show Farms (Highgate, Safari, Chandelier)
- Cango Wildlife Ranch
- Meerkat Conservation Programme Tours
- Swartberg Pass drive
- Rust & Vrede Waterfall hike
- Golfing at Oudtshoorn Golf Club
- Zipline adventures
- Skydiving
Stargazing is also described as a highlight — the Klein Karoo’s dark skies provide one of the best amateur astronomy experiences available in the Western Cape.
Location and Getting There
La Plume Boutique Hotel & Spa is on the R62, Oudtshoorn, Western Cape, 6625 — 2.5 km from Oudtshoorn town centre. George Airport (GRJ) is approximately 76–80 km west. Airport transfers and shuttle services can be booked through the hotel concierge.
Tel: 044 272 7516
For accommodation bookings, wedding packages, spa reservations, and restaurant enquiries, visit La Plume’s official website.
Explore more luxury hotels and wedding venues in Oudtshoorn and the Klein Karoo through our Oudtshoorn event venues directory, or browse all Western Cape event venue listings for venues across the province.
