The Rosendal Country Retreat Experience, Free State
As per usual when we have a trip, we left Johannesburg very early for the Free State, which was great because we didn’t know how terrible the road was. Going to experience the Rosendal Country Retreat is something that we were excited about, because we had just gone through a gruesome weekend of hosting 60 ladies, which was pretty taxing mentally and physically. So this staycation is exactly what we needed to pause and relax.
The Rosendal Country Retreat is about 3 and a half hrs from Johannesburg, but with the roadworks, we took slightly longer to get there. Lucky for us, we had the Isuzu D-MAX, the perfect companion to navigate us and be able to tackle any terrain that we came across.
The road was quiet, and our trip was uneventful. There weather was a little chilly and the road was horrible but nothing could deter us from the excitement that we were feeling. It was our first time travelling to the Free State together.
We arrived in Rosendal around 14h30, and while the sun was out, we learned that Free State was already cold, way colder than Johannesburg. Rosendal is a very small town, and we didnt get lost at all. One of the first things we saw was the cultural village, and we noticed quickly that this staycation would be one of the most tranquil ones that we would be able to do.
The Rosendal Country Retreat: First Impression
When we got to The Rosendal Country Retreat, we were met by a very nice lady, Bonnie, who welcomed us and proceeded to give us a tour of the place.
One of the first things that we noticed was how serene and tranquil the place was. It was the perfect place away from the bustle of the city, and just looking at the place, it was clear that we would be able to relax and reset. It gave a new meaning to slow living, and we were excited to just sit back and experience all that this small town had to offer.
The Rosendal looked peaceful, and we took in the beautiful views and scenery.
The Rosendal Country Retreat: Accommodation
The Rosendal Country Retreat is a self catering accommodation in the Eastern Free State. We were shown our spacious apartment, a 1 bedroom beautifully furnished apartment with modern furniture. The apartment was not only beautiful, it looked comfortable and it was the one closest to the hot tub.
Our apartment had an en-suite bathroom with a shower, a bathtub and a toilet. It also had a kitchenette with a microwave, tea- and coffee-making facilities, and a dining area. One of the best things that we loved about our apartment was the fireplace, and with the Free State as cold as it was, it would be perfect for us to get all cozy, relax and stay warm.
One of the best things about The Rosendal Country Retreat that we enjoyed is the hot tub . . . and we didn’t waste any time. The Rosendal Country Retreat had done a beautiful setup for us by the hot tub, with wine, and after our long drive, we were ready to just get into the tub and relax.
And the first night was concluded with a nice braai.
Things We Got Up to in Rosendal
Horse Riding
The next morning, we had breakfast at Oppidam Coffeeshop . . . and then it was off to the horse riding. We drove for about 20 minutes and got into a Moolmanshoek Private Game Reserve which had acres and acres of beautiful land.
The horse riding experience was beautiful, and we thoroughly enjoyed the horses with the beautiful scenic and tranquil space. The horses were well trained, which we appreciated as we don’t have much experience riding them.
We were also assigned a nice gentleman to do the horse riding with, he was super patient with us and made sure he explained all he necessary and important information before we started riding.
He also offered to take a few pictures and videos of us while riding, which was very sweet of him, and we appreciated that to no end.
Holkrans Sunset Experience
One of the things that we did in Rosendal that we thoroughly enjoyed is the Holkrans Sunset Experience.
For this experience, we drove just a bit outside of Rosendal, to this magical spot in the mountains, where we watched the sunset, till the sun got swallowed by the horizon. It’s breathtaking and a marvel to watch, and definitely one of the must do things in Rosendal.
During the experience, they had prepared snacks, and some champagne for us . . . and I must say, we thoroughly enjoyed it.
There’s other things to do in Rosendal like hiking, and exploring the place, these two activities were our highlight, and of course the hot tub!
Dining at Rosendal
The Rosendal Country Retreat has braai facilities, which is great because we love to braai.
Rosendal also has some few cafes in town, and we got to experience the Oppidam Cafe, Benjamins where we had breakfast on day 2 and day 3.
We also stopped by Yolly’s for a burger and a beer, which was also great.
We Loved Rosendal
Though a small town, you can enjoy hiking, the cafes in the town, horse riding or just exploring the town. It’s definitely a good idea to take your travel partner, get super romantic and get away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
P.S We visited Rosendal Country Retreat last year in May
