Blog - 22 Die Laan Guest House

Story of the Guest House

Mon, 23 Nov 2020 00:00:00 +0200

The owner’s father died when she was very young, so he never lived in this house with them. The rooms were therefore named only after the owner (Ounin), her sisters (Deverieux and Du Quesne) and her mother (Tilla). The 2 outside rooms were named after her mother (Du Plessis), who owned the property initially, and her husband (Arndt), who bought the property from her mother.

The guest house partly came about because of a farm the owner and her husband had in die internationally known Vredevort Dome Area between Parys and Potchefstroom (today an International Heritage site). The Arndt’s lived in Johannesburg for 20 years and visited the farm over week ends. The area is the biggest meteorite impact site in the world; a meteorite fell there billions of years ago. There is an antique shop in Parys called Pine’s Antiques, where most of the furniture for the farm house was bought. When the Arndt’s left Johannesburg at the end of 2006, they sold the farm but kept the furniture. All the wardrobes in the guest house come from that farm house, as well as most of the other furniture. Selected extra pieces were purchased locally. (The wardrobe in Room Arndt is made out of satin wood.)

The owner wanted to keep the guest house authentic, hence the name, which is also the address. She did not want to give a European name to a guest house which is situated in the historical Avenue in Stellenbosch, South Africa. Therefore the photographs against the walls are also of old Stellenbosch, and were provided by the Stellenbosch Museum.

All the headboards above the beds were made from old floor planks that mrs Du Plessis took out when she renovated some years ago. It was stored all those years until the architect, Johann Slee, decided to utilise it as headboards.

Level 2 active!

Tue, 18 Aug 2020 00:00:00 +0200

Strolling through the streets of our lovely town today, I was delighted to see people embracing level 2.

Open!

Sun, 16 Aug 2020 00:00:00 +0200

Dear Valued Guest, we trust that you are well and, above all, healthy.

We are overjoyed at the announcement last night by President Cyril Ramaphosa that Inter Provincial Travel can resume, and that Restaurants, Pubs and Wine Farms can function normally from this week now that alcohol may be sold again.

Appels and our Team are ready for your visit - safety protocols are in place (our staff has had extensive training in this regard) and we have a new online registration form which will allow for a more streamline and paperless check in process, in line with social distancing precautions.

The local Tourism Organisation, Visit Stellenbosch, has a lucky packet full of offers for August and September, of which we will inform you soon.

We look forward to hosting you soon.

Fond regards.

Ounin, Appels and Sumarie

Oak Trees in Die Laan

Mon, 29 Jun 2020 00:00:00 +0200

The local importance of the oak trees is evident as far back as 1887 when specific rules for their conservation were formulated: that property owners may not remove or damage them in any way.
The oaks of the Avenue were declared historical monuments in 1950.

Back in Nature

Mon, 22 Jun 2020 00:00:00 +0200

Appels explored the Jonkershoek Nature Reserve this week end. Stellenbosch has no shortage of walking and hiking trails.

Health & Safety Above All

Wed, 17 Jun 2020 00:00:00 +0200

Appels and the Team are making sure that your stay with us will be as safe as humanly possible.

Contactless Check In

Thu, 11 Jun 2020 00:00:00 +0200

In order to make the check in process as quick and simple as possible for the safety of all, we have updated our Website Contact Form https://www.22dielaan.co.za/contact/contact-us/

We are open for Business Travel

Sun, 31 May 2020 00:00:00 +0200

Contact them https://www.22dielaan.co.za/contact/contact-us/
Otherwise book directly https://www.nightsbridge.co.za/bridge/book?bbid=12948

Be assured of our strict adherence to health and safety protocols within the current situation.

The Warm Heart of our Team

Mon, 25 May 2020 00:00:00 +0200

To all the Business Travellers out there: now that our President has sanctioned the phasing in of your travel, Appels and her Team stand ready to welcome you the moment you visit 22 Die Laan Guest House again. Be assured not only of our usual hospitality, warmth and excellent service, but also of strict health and safety protocols as dictated by the current Covid-19 situation.

Best regards

Ounin, Owner

The Warm Heart of Stellenbosch

Mon, 18 May 2020 00:00:00 +0200

Visit Stellenbosch, our local Tourism Organisation, stepped up to this plate big time by overnight establishing Stellenbosch Unite - a collaborative aid action purposed to provide social support to vulnerable community members during the COVID-19 pandemic https://stellenboschunite.org/

Jeanneret and her team have not only done a stellar job with their warm hearted response to our community's needs; they similtaneously work tirelessly on behalf of us, the members of Visit Stellenbosch https://www.visitstellenbosch.org/, to help us navigate our way through these challenging times.

22 Die Laan Guest House salutes you.

Ounin, Appels and the 22 Die Laan Team.

Walking the Stellenbosch Mountain this morning

Fri, 08 May 2020 00:00:00 +0200

We are as excited as you are about partaking in some favourite outdoor activities when next visiting our beautiful town.

Lockdown | Remembering

Wed, 06 May 2020 00:00:00 +0200

"What I realised the moment I entered the place, was that this is a guest house that puts the accent on guest... I've never ever stayed in a place where I have felt more welcome."

Christine Mekle

via TripAdvisor

Lockdown | Birthday Celebrations

Wed, 29 Apr 2020 00:00:00 +0200

How many Managers of a Guest House are congratulated by guests, and then from abroad? This is the kind of relationship Appels builds with guests.

Brian and Anne from England sent a lovely email this morning with love and best wishes for Appels on her birthday.

Lockdown | Team Activities

Tue, 28 Apr 2020 00:00:00 +0200

Cynthia looks after twins Alick and Allan, while Lexson and Lonnie share some newlywed moments, and Bee chooses quiet time.

Lockdown | What do you miss doing at the moment?

Sat, 25 Apr 2020 00:00:00 +0200

Cape Town Tourism recently launched the "We are worth waiting for" Campaign. In Stellenbosch we also have lots going on all year round which is worth looking forward to and planning for.

Lockdown | We're in this together

Tue, 21 Apr 2020 00:00:00 +0200

Sumarie and Appels working from home. Keeping up with what needs to be done.

Lockdown | Team Sports

Fri, 17 Apr 2020 00:00:00 +0200

Lena keeping fit and healthy so that she is READY for work once that day comes!

Coronavirus | Showing the Heart of Stellenbosch

Tue, 14 Apr 2020 00:00:00 +0200

Dear Guests & Public

Since its inception 2 weeks ago StellenboschUnite has, like Covid-19 worldwide, grown exponentially. They have recorded 620 volunteer hours.

This community effort includes a Chartered Accountant helping with stock controls, a Medical Doctor distributing food parcels and 2 System Engineers establishing distribution lines.

Stellenbosch, we salute you.

Ounin, Appels & Team

Coronavirus | Ubuntu

Thu, 09 Apr 2020 00:00:00 +0200

Dear Guests and members of the Public

Emergency school feeding programmes kicked off in the Western Cape yesterday. 9 Schools from Stellenbosch Municipality were involved in the programme.

This truly brings to mind the essence of the Nguni Bantu term meaning "humanity towards others". It is often used to express the belief in a universal bond of sharing that connects all.

United we stand.

Ounin & Team

Coronavirus | Co-operating

Fri, 03 Apr 2020 00:00:00 +0200

It is heartening to experience how a community can stand united when the occasion demands it.

The picture is of workers cleaning the Bergzicht Taxi Rank last night.

Another community initiative is StellenboschUnite - a collaborative aid action purposed to provide social support to vulnerable community members during the COVID-19 pandemic.

We applaud and salute every single person making a contribution of whatever kind in these times.

With thankfulness

Ounin, Appels, Sumarie, Bee, Cynthia & Lexson

Coronavirus | Communication

Wed, 01 Apr 2020 00:00:00 +0200

Dear Guests and Public

Since most of us are housebound at the moment, communication via Social Media and other online Platforms is essential to not only keep us informed, but also connected.

We are part of a few Whatsapp Groups in Stellenbosch relating to the Hospitality Industry and the larger Stellenbosch Community. Everyday members share relevant and interesting information, informing and assisting us in all kinds of ways.

Thank you.

Ounin Arndt & the 22 Die Laan Team

Coronavirus | Lockdown Day 1

Fri, 27 Mar 2020 00:00:00 +0200

Dear Guests and Public

We at 22 Die Laan Guest House are extremely proud of the way the Municipality and Security Services in Stellenbosch continue to go about their daily tasks in order to serve our Community. At great personal inconvenience some workers involved in refuse removal worked late into last night and will continue to do so over the week end, to clear the backlog that was created by unforeseen circumstances.

We are told that Municipal workers are cleaning the streets of Stellenbosch after the last rush of people yesterday, and that specific arrangements have been made to transport all homeless people to temporary accommodation facilities outside of Stellenbosch.

We are proud to be a part of such a community, and grateful to each and every person who is involved in keeping our daily lives as ordered and normal as possible under the unusual circumstances.

Kind regards

Ounin Arndt & the 22 Die Laan Team

Coronavirus | Quo vadis?

Thu, 26 Mar 2020 00:00:00 +0200

Dear Guests and Public

The world finds itself in severe uncertainty and uncharted waters. At 22 Die Laan Guest House in Stellenbosch we will keep you updated with what we know. Be assured of our utmost intention to get through the current crisis, as a Team.

We look forward to the day when we host you again.

Kind regards

Ounin Arndt
Owner

Our recommended Wine Estates and Coffee stops around Stellenbosch

Thu, 19 Mar 2020 00:00:00 +0200

WINE TASTING

Waterford - Their Library Tasting is a way of expressing internal wine interests, from different grape varietals to unique viticultural sites. The Library Collection takes a look back at the story of where their wine style comes from

Longridge - Known for producing organic wines, specifically white cultivars, and famous for its MCC

Clos Malverne - Try their ice cream & wine pairing; sample specifically their white wines

Rust en Vrede - Famous for their red wines, especially the Shiraz

Kanonkop - Also famous for their reds, specifically the Pinotage

GIN TASTING

Stellenbosch Craft Gin & Spirits Festival - Taste craft-distilled spirits from all over South Africa, as well as the best high-end gin, rum, cognac, brandy, vodka, tequila and more

COFFEE TASTING

Try the Gaga ‘bout Koffie at the offices of the Stellenbosch Trail Fund

For coffee in town, visit Legado

The Best Restaurants, Markets and Picnic Spots around Stellenbosch

Thu, 19 Mar 2020 00:00:00 +0200

RESTAURANTS

De Warenmarkt - A casual dining experience; from oysters and MCC to a diverse selection of dishes

Fat Butcher & Hussar Grill The perfect choice for steak lovers

Rust en Vrede Salmon or steak served under age old oaks on one of Stellenbosch’s oldest and most beautiful wine estates

Decameron A favourite for Italian cuisine, seafood and a selection of meat dishes

Basic Bistro A cosy restaurant open from breakfast to dinner; focussing on creating Gourmet Burgers, Pasta Dishes, Malay Curry, Matured Steak and Espresso Based Coffees

De Volkskombuis Well known for its traditional South African cuisine

The Blue Crane and the Butterfly Wonderful breakfasts and home-roasted coffee

Postcard Cafe For the tea and cake lovers, with a view of the mountains

MARKETS

Root44

Slow Market

PICNICS

Boschendal

Vergenoegd

Blog - 22 Die Laan Guest House

Story of the Guest House

Level 2 active!

Open!

Oak Trees in Die Laan

Back in Nature

Health & Safety Above All

Contactless Check In

We are open for Business Travel

The Warm Heart of our Team

The Warm Heart of Stellenbosch

Walking the Stellenbosch Mountain this morning

Lockdown | Remembering

Lockdown | Birthday Celebrations

Lockdown | Team Activities

Lockdown | What do you miss doing at the moment?

Lockdown | We're in this together

Lockdown | Team Sports

Coronavirus | Showing the Heart of Stellenbosch

Coronavirus | Ubuntu

Coronavirus | Co-operating

Coronavirus | Communication

Coronavirus | Lockdown Day 1

Coronavirus | Quo vadis?

Our recommended Wine Estates and Coffee stops around Stellenbosch

​WINE TASTING

GIN TASTING

COFFEE TASTING

The Best Restaurants, Markets and Picnic Spots around Stellenbosch

RESTAURANTS

MARKETS

PICNICS

WINE TASTING