The Free State offers a huge variety of accommodation for travellers who are transiting the province from the coastal cities of the south to the commercial centres of the north.
People travelling from the Western Cape to KZN often choose to travel through the Free State rather than along the coast.
The Free State road network is excellent. The N1 is one of the busiest highways in the country and Bloemfontein is a great midway stop over. This city has a wealth of hotels, guest houses, lodges and B&B’s. Click here to read more about Bloemfontein’s accommodation offerings.
For those wanting to choose the more scenic country roads that pass through the picturesque villages of Smithfield, Clarens, Fouriesburg and Landybrand, these villages have a lovely selection of bed and breakfasts, guest houses and guest farms.
Home Food and Travelhas come up with a great selection of places to stay.
Ladybrand Heritage House – Ladybrand
Nestled in the picturesque Eastern Free State, Ladybrand Heritage House provides travellers with a unique combination of old-world charm and the comfort of modern-day living.
This historic double-storey sandstone house was founded as an orphanage in 1904, after the Anglo-Boer War and still retains some of its history, both inside and out.
The pretty town of Ladybrand is surrounded by the undulating hills of the Eastern Free State and is situated 15 km from Maseru, the gateway to Lesotho. The town is one of the prime rock art regions in the world, where the San, the ‘first people’ of the country, left behind numerous paintings on rock art, depicting their lives. Read more …
To find out more about Ladybrand Heritage House, give them a call on 072 582 8302 or email visitus@ladybrandheritagehouse.co.za. Visit their website at www.ladybrandheritagehouse.co.za. Find them on Google Maps.
Clarens Retreat – Clarens
In the Free State, there are very few places where one can escape the city and enjoy the peaceful and quiet surroundings of the village of Clarens. It is here is that you will find the Clarens Retreat self-catering guesthouse.
Clarens village is located at the foot of the Maluti Mountains, and has earned the nickname ‘Jewel of the Eastern Free State’. It is the highest habitable village in the Free State at 1850m above sea level.
There are eleven stylishly-decorated self-catering units for guests to choose from at Clarens Retreat. Choose from the eight Studio Units, the Large Couples Retreat, the Small Family Retreat or the Luxury Couples Retreat units. Read more …
To make a booking at Clarens Retreat, call 083 262 5104, or email info@clarensretreat.co.za. Visit them at www.clarensretreat.co.za. Find them on Google Maps.
Cranberry Cottage – Ladybrand
Luxury 4-Star accommodation in Ladybrand, in the Free State, Cranberry Cottage allows you to unwind with genuine Free State hospitality and relax in their luxurious suites with friends or the whole family.
The Hotel is set in a lovely Colonial-styled retreat and is surrounded by the beautiful undulating hills of Ladybrand, in the heart of the Eastern Free State. The town of Ladybrand lies in the Caledon Valley, which has been the stomping ground for men for more than a thousand years.
Not only does Cranberry Cottage provide luxury accommodation, but they also have a fantastic restaurant that caters to all taste buds and dietary requirements and a wellness centre where you can receive top-class treatments that will melt all your stress away. Read more …
To make a booking at Cranberry Cottage, give them a call on 051 923 1500 or email info@cranberry.co.za. Visit their website at www.cranberry.co.za. Find them at Beeton St 37, Ladybrand, 9745.
Willow Creek Villas – Clarens
Known as the Golden Gateway to the small town of Clarens, Willow Creek is the perfect place for memorable holidays in the Free State. Spend a few days at the Willow Creek Villas and enjoy luxury accommodation, fun activities, and delicious meals and you will not want to return to the city.
The small town of Clarens can be found in the foothills of the Maluti Mountains, which has earned the nickname ‘Jewel of the Free State’. It is one of the most popular holiday towns in the eastern Free State.
The Willow Creek Villas get their name from the large Willow tree that can be found shading the outer deck and the stream that runs through the Villa. It has been in operation since 2010 as a semi-detached self-catering Villa on the Clarens Golf Course. Read more …
To make a booking at Willow Creek Villas, give them a call on 084 548 6485 or email info@willowcreekclarens.co.za.
Oregon Cottage Guest House – Ficksburg
In the town of Ficksburg, at the foot of the Imperani Mountain in the Free State, you will find the comfortable Oregon Cottage Guest House.
This beautiful accommodation has a rustic charm that will leave you feeling comfortable and relaxed the moment you walk through the door.
The Guest House is in the heart of Ficksburg, which is well-known for the annual Cherry Jazz and Cherry Festival that takes place in November. Ficksburg is also known as the Cherry Capital of the world. Ficksburg is also the gateway to Lesotho, as it is near the Maputsoe Border.
Oregon Cottage is easily accessible from the entrance of the town and is the perfect place to stay whether you are travelling with your family or on a business trip. The tranquillity of the surroundings makes it the perfect escape from the city. Read more …
To make a booking at the Oregon Cottage Guest House, give them a call on 082 500 8583 /051 933 4849 or email info@oregoncottageguesthouse.co.za. Visit their website at www.oregoncottageguesthouse.co.za.
Nick’s Place – Smithfield
Nick’s Place offers great accommodation for the weary traveller. Located in the village of Smithfield, Nick’s Place is both halfway between East London and Gauteng and between Port Elizabeth and Gauteng.
For people travelling from the Western Cape to Durban, this is also a perfect stopover.
The Southern Free State has excellent roads with very little traffic and is a very good alternative route between major cities. Most of these intercity travels involve journeys of over eight hours and a midway layover makes perfect sense. So, look no further than Nick’s Place.
Owned and managed by Nick and Fabrice, it’s perfectly situated, extremely comfortable and is the only B&B in the area that has a licensed pub and a restaurant.
On a recent long distance trip, I spent the night in this delightful guesthouse and enjoyed every minute of my stay.
I particularly enjoyed sitting on the veranda on a sultry evening chatting with the owners and the other guests. This is a guesthouse that has been lovingly created as a haven for weary travellers.
Nick says; “I opened the guest house ten years ago after I left the craziness of the corporate world.”
Well, Smithfield is about as far away from the rush of the urban jungle that you can get. Nick has certainly created a place of tranquillity and happiness. Read more …
Call Nick’s Place on 082 807 6453. To make a booking, click here. Find out more, click here. Location, click here.
