Everything about this five-star country house exudes romance – from the secluded location at the end of a gravel road to the outsized baths large enough for a couple, and the tables for two tucked away for an intimate breakfast or dinner. Dinners start in a more sociable way though, with a glass of local MCC (champagne) in the lounge as you share the day’s adventures.

The dinner menu changes daily, but tends to showcase South African cuisine such as bobotie (a Cape Malay dish) and game meat. In-house meals at hotels and guest houses can sometimes be a little disappointing, but the food here is quite superb and wouldn’t be out of place in a good restaurant. Ask for wine recommendations from the on-site winery, Doolhof, and end your meal with something from the extensive digestif menu – all produced in the local area. Guests also get a complimentary wine tasting in the winery itself. Other nice touches include an iPod lending service (don’t you hate it when there’s always a docking station but you don’t have your iPod?) and particularly nice toiletries including – joy of joys – air freshener (come on, you know you’ve wanted it at some point while staying in a hotel).

Grand Dédale has a country house grading, but its décor speaks more of a boutique hotel. It marries the olde worlde feel (parts of the property date back to the early 18^th century) perfectly with a splash of the modern, thanks largely to the light colours used throughout. Mirrors are abundant, making rooms seem huge, but in fact they’re hardly necessary as the rooms are pretty big to begin with.

Speaking of space, the grounds offer plenty of it – 380 hectares in fact. There are longer hikes for those who feel energetic but if nothing else, take the well-marked 1km trail along the river. There is a spa too, though treatments must be booked well in advance and quite hefty minimum charges apply.