My recent stay at the amazing Gumtree Guest House in beautiful Oudtshoorn brought back cherished memories.
In 1983, I met my husband, André, in Oudtshoorn, where both of us were students at the former Oudtshoorn Teachers’ College. After completing our studies, he started his two-year military service at the Infantry School in Oudtshoorn, and I got my first teaching post at the former Petra Girls’ School in town.
We got married in 1988, and left Oudtshoorn behind with millions of good memories. After 31 years we looked forward to revisiting the town. We were excited like two teenagers. The years in between immediately fell away.
We stayed at Gumtree Guest House, with hosts Phil and Linda Putzel.
Amazing service at Gumtree Guest House Oudtshoorn
From the moment that we arrived at our destination at 139 Church Street, Phil was the genial, professional host personified, with Linda at his side to warmly welcome us to their beautiful guest house.
Their enthusiasm and passion for their endeavour, was visible from the moment we met, and showed through every detail of the Guest House, which was easy to find, with the advantage of secure, off-street parking.
Gumtree Guest House is a tranquil setting, but still very central to town, merely two minutes’ walk to the nearest restaurants, and also very central for lots of lovely tourist attractions in and around Oudtshoorn.
Accommodation at Gumtree Guest House in Oudtshoorn
Located on the banks of the slow winding Grobbelaars River, with a view of the historic 1914 built Suspension Bridge and Swartberg Mountains, we realised that Gumtree Guest House was unique.
This oasis is situated in a tranquil garden and felt much more than just a guest house – it’s more like a home away from home. It offers luxury and charm, in the shade of a century old giant gumtree. Gumtree Guest house is really a lovely setting where birdsong fills the air.
Our room was one of four superior en-suite queen rooms (with the best view, according to Phil, and we agree), and was spacious, very comfortable, spotlessly clean, with lovely indoor decoration that gave it a modern type of “out of Africa” character.
I found Linda’s attention to detail amazing! Crisp white linen and a sparkling clean, modern bathroom, immediately caught the eye. Each room offers the comforts of air conditioning, ceiling fans, wall-safe, toiletries, electric blankets, TVs, hairdryers, complimentary tea/coffee trays and loaded minibar fridges.
Amenities available to guests also include laundry services, Wi-Fi internet access throughout the property, even at the pool! There are seven en-suite rooms in total, which also includes some twin-bedded rooms, and a self-catering cottage with two bedrooms and two bathrooms. Each room has its own external entrance.
Facilities and dining at Gumtree Guest House
We had a wonderful, relaxing afternoon at the sparkling swimming pool on the pool deck.
Another highlight was the evening drinks with Phil and Linda at their fully licenced and well-stocked in-house bar, including cold local microbrewery beers, wines and gins. They shared their knowledge and experience of everything local, and of travelling the roads of Africa and all over the world.
Phil and Linda are extremely proud ambassadors of the products of the Karoo region.
Breakfast was included in their “package” and was, as a guest said a “tour de force of local offerings”. The smell of mouth-watering fresh home-baked bread filled the dining room area when we entered.
Finely diced fruit-salad, yoghurts, cereals, a wide selection of locally produced cheeses, meats, plus a hot (cooked-to-order) breakfast of our choice followed. It was absolutely delicious!
If you ever decide to visit Oudtshoorn, Gumtree Guest House should definitely be the number one overnight destination on your bucket list. I’d love to hear that thousands of old Struisies from all over the world, who plan to visit Oudtshoorn in future, have booked at Gumtree Guest House, and get the experience of walking over the Suspension Bridge, like in your student or army days!
We arrived as guests at Gumtree Guest House, but left as friends. Phil and Linda – we salute you and wish you luck for the years to come, as you really deserve it!
To book your accommodation at Gumtree Guest House now, click HERE.
For more information, call 044 279 2528 / 086 631 0207 or email info@gumtreelodge.co.za today. Visit them at 139 Kerkstraat / Church Street, Oudtshoorn or online at gumtreelodge.co.za. Follow them on Facebook. Here is their location on Google Maps.
Written by Linda Barnard.
