Hotels with a Pool in Oudtshoorn
Oudtshoorn lies inland in the Klein Karoo, so a pool is a real part of the stay rather than a decoration. This page lists five hotels with one, from The Featherbed, which pairs an outdoor pool with a hot tub and a children's playground, to Queen's Hotel by BON Hotels with its secluded courtyard pool, Protea Hotel by Marriott Oudtshoorn Riempie Estate, De Opstal Country Lodge and Baron's Palace. Ratings run from 7.9 to 9.5. I would choose by setting: a colonial-era hotel, a chalet estate or a country lodge, and the sections below say what each listing actually offers.
Oudtshoorn lies in the Little Karoo, a semi-arid valley between the Swartberg and Outeniqua mountains, and its summers are hot and dry, so a pool is close to essential. The town grew rich on ostrich feathers in the late 19th century, and sandstone feather palaces from that boom still stand along its streets. The Cango Caves are about 30 km north, below the Swartberg Pass. I would plan the caves and the pass in the cool of the morning and keep the afternoons for the pool.
Where to stay
Courtyard Pools, Hot Tubs and Klein Karoo Lodges
Pools in Oudtshoorn range from a secluded colonial courtyard to year-round outdoor pools at country lodges, in the Klein Karoo. Ratings run from 7.9 to 9.5, with The Featherbed highest on a solid base of 411 reviews. Baron's Palace has only 41 reviews, so I treat its score with care.
The Featherbed is the strongest choice on this page, rated 9.5 from 411 reviews. It lists an outdoor swimming pool, a hot tub, a sun terrace and a garden, with air-conditioned rooms, kitchenettes and private bathrooms. There is also an on-site restaurant and a children's playground, which makes it a good base for a family that wants a pool and somewhere to cook. I would choose it first for a stay where the pool is central, since the score rests on a large number of reviews and the facilities are easy to picture. Its highlights name the outdoor pool and hot tub together, which is unusual among the five.
Queen's Hotel by BON Hotels is a colonial-era hotel whose pool sits in a secluded courtyard, among rooms with antique furnishings, air conditioning and satellite TV. It offers gourmet meals at The Colony and lighter dishes at Cafe Brule, and its listing mentions spa and wellness facilities and family-friendliness. It has the most reviews of the group after The Featherbed, 597, but the lowest rating, 7.9. I would pick it for atmosphere and dining rather than for the pool itself, and I would read recent comments before booking. Each room lists air conditioning, satellite TV and tea-and-coffee making facilities.
Protea Hotel by Marriott Oudtshoorn Riempie Estate is described as an authentic African haven in the Klein Karoo, with chalets and rondavels that have private entrances and local decoration. The estate features an outdoor pool, a large terrace and a children's playground, and its listing mentions spa and wellness facilities. It is rated 8.1 from 394 reviews. I would choose it for travellers who prefer a spread-out estate to a single building, and who want the pool as one of several places to sit outside. Its highlights describe a honeymoon-suitable setting as well as a family one, which I find fair given the chalets and private entrances.
De Opstal Country Lodge is a 4-star lodge with a year-round outdoor pool, a garden, a terrace, a restaurant, a bar, an outdoor fireplace, a lounge and family rooms, plus free WiFi and air conditioning, rated 8.6 from 169 reviews. Baron's Palace also lists a year-round outdoor pool, with water sports facilities, a lush garden and family rooms, a short walk from CP Nel Museum and near the Suspension Bridge. Its 8.3 rating comes from only 41 reviews, so I would confirm the details before booking. De Opstal's highlights name spa and wellness facilities, and Baron's Palace highlights its closeness to local attractions.
A traveller's takeI recommend The Featherbed for a pool stay in Oudtshoorn, because it lists an outdoor pool, a hot tub, kitchenettes and a children's playground, with a 9.5 rating from 411 reviews. For a colonial-era courtyard pool and dining at The Colony, I would choose Queen's Hotel by BON Hotels. If you want a year-round pool at a country lodge, De Opstal Country Lodge is my pick.
9.5PoolThe Featherbed - Oudtshoorn
Family-friendly comfort with a pool, spa, and self-catering options
The Featherbed in Oudtshoorn is family-friendly, with air-conditioned rooms, kitchenettes and private bathrooms, so families can prepare simple meals. The outdoor swimming pool, sun terrace, garden and hot tub give plenty of space to relax, and a children's playground keeps younger guests busy. There is an on-site restaurant for evenings out. A rating of 9.5 from 411 reviews is exceptional and makes it an easy family pick.
8.6PoolDe Opstal Country Lodge
Elegant country lodge with a pool, spa, and family-friendly amenities
De Opstal Country Lodge is a 4-star country lodge in Oudtshoorn with room for families to spread out. A beautiful garden, a terrace and a year-round outdoor swimming pool anchor the days, and family rooms are available. Rooms are air-conditioned with private bathrooms and free WiFi. A restaurant, a bar, a lounge and an outdoor fireplace serve the evenings, and the spa and wellness facilities are there for the adults. Guests score it 8.6 across 169 reviews.
8.3PoolBaron's Palace
Family-friendly comfort with a pool and water sports in Oudtshoorn
Baron's Palace in Oudtshoorn has comfortable family rooms with air conditioning and private bathrooms. A year-round outdoor swimming pool, water sports facilities and a lush garden give children plenty to do. The CP Nel Museum is a short walk away and the Suspension Bridge is nearby, so a first afternoon can be spent on foot. Guests score it 8.3 across 41 reviews.
8.1PoolProtea Hotel by Marriott Oudtshoorn Riempie Estate
Authentic African haven with chalets, a pool, and family-friendly amenities
Protea Hotel by Marriott Oudtshoorn Riempie Estate puts guests in chalets and rondavels with private entrances, decorated to reflect local culture, in the Klein Karoo. That layout gives families their own door and some privacy. The estate has an outdoor pool, a large terrace and a children's playground, so younger guests have space to play. An 8.1 rating from 394 reviews suggests a relaxed, family-friendly stay.
7.9PoolQueen's Hotel by BON Hotels
Colonial charm with a secluded pool and gourmet dining in Oudtshoorn
Queen's Hotel by BON Hotels is a colonial-era hotel in Oudtshoorn with antique furnishings and a swimming pool in a secluded courtyard. Rooms have air conditioning, satellite TV and tea-and-coffee facilities. Dining runs from gourmet meals at The Colony to lighter fare at Cafe Brule, and spa and wellness facilities are on site. Guests rate it 7.9 across 597 reviews. It suits families and couples who like period character.
Local tips
- Choose The Featherbed for the strongest pool package here: an outdoor pool, a hot tub, a sun terrace and kitchenettes, with a 9.5 rating from 411 reviews.
- Book Queen's Hotel by BON Hotels for its secluded courtyard pool and colonial-era rooms, and plan a meal at The Colony or Cafe Brule.
- Protea Hotel by Marriott Oudtshoorn Riempie Estate has chalets and rondavels with private entrances, an outdoor pool and a children's playground, so it suits families who want space.
- De Opstal Country Lodge lists a year-round outdoor pool, an outdoor fireplace and family rooms, which suits a lodge-style stay in the Klein Karoo.
- Baron's Palace is a short walk from CP Nel Museum and near the Suspension Bridge, and it lists a year-round pool, but it has only 41 reviews.
- Because the town is inland, check pool opening arrangements with the hotel, and choose a year-round pool if you travel outside summer.