How to have an unforgettable 40th, 50th or 60th birthday

Private chef and 3-course meals at a 5-suite manor

Last updated: 8 August 2023 

How do you make a 40th, 50th or 60th birthday special? We think a momentous milestone like that deserves a grand getaway, with all meals provided (including 3-course dinners), with a private chef. Don’t you?

Maybe you want to consider Mardouw Country House, a gem of a stay on a secluded olive farm, where your guests can also golf, mountain bike, hike, do an olive tasting and more. 

Mardouw Country House is a 2.5hr drive from Cape Town, not too far for a long weekend or midweek break. Image: Mardouw Country House

MAKE YOUR 50TH SPECIAL AT THIS FARMHOUSE

Mardouw Country House, just outside of Swellendam, is renovated from a nineteenth century farmhouse with modern finishes and classic furniture. 

The floor-to-ceiling heavy wooden door, fireplaces and window frames from the original farmhouse showcase its elite heritage. While the personally-curated art collection and intricate ball lights (that look like they’re made of delicately-tangled string) bring in the elegance to the manor house. 

The art was selected (and in some instances, created) by the owner’s wife and daughter. Image: Mardouw Country House

BRING NINE CLOSE FRIENDS AND FAMILY 

A party of 10 suits a stay at Mardouw, which has five bedrooms, each with an en-suite bathroom. 

Upstairs, the rooms open onto a spacious balcony that allows in a stream of warm inland sun (and showcases the stunning view of the mountains). Meanwhile, the two suites downstairs have their own sitting rooms and/or private patios. 

The rooms even have underfloor heating. Image: Mardouw Country House

CHEERS TO ANOTHER YEAR OVER 3-COURSE DINNERS 

Your guests are what make your celebration, and at Mardouw, you get to gather them around a delicately-set wooden table, complete with linen tablecloth and candlesticks, over a three-course dinner. 

A private chef prepares all the meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner included), where dinner alternates between elevated dishes (like Crêpes Suzette, citrus crêpes flambéed at your table with Cointreau) and hearty home-cooked food. 

The dining room transforms into your own elegant restaurant, with candlesticks, a tablecloth and handmade Mardouw plates. Image: Mardouw Country House

GOLF, HIKE, SWIM, PLAY, TASTE… 

You could settle for wine and board games around the fireplace; have sundowners on the patio that overlooks the Langeberg mountains; sip coffee in the morning sun on the stoep… there’s plenty of ways to relax and connect over a birthday getaway here. There’s even a golf range. 

Both the front stoep and back patio have stunning views of the Langeberg mountains. Image: Mardouw Country House 

If you’ve got kids, you’ll appreciate the expansive open gardens, family hikes and walks with cows roaming free, mountain biking trails, and the flowedge pool. 

You can even organise a tasting of their gold award-winning olive oils, olive tapenades and olive chutney. With so much to do without leaving the estate, time passes slower at Mardouw Country House.

The pool is surrounded by nature and you could spot cows from your lounger; Mardouw has a small herd. Image: Mardouw Country House

BOOK FOR YOUR BIRTHDAY

Find Mardouw Country House: R60 | Halfway between Ashton and Swellendam (2.5 hour drive from Cape Town)
Contact details: Website, @mardouwcountryhouse
Make a reservation: Contact Philip King, General Manager
Price range: Around R13 000 a night (includes all meals), depending on season 

By Julia Rowley

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FIND SPECIAL WAYS TO CELEBRATE 

Discover more about having your 50th at Mardouw Country House.

There are so many ways to have a free birthday in Cape Town. 

Check out other places where you can have a special birthday.

Looking for a party place? These are some of the best function venues in Cape Town.

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