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Karoo Art Hotel

30 Van Riebeeck Street, Barrydale 6750 South Africa
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Traveller (291)
Room & Suite (42)
Dining (33)
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#1 of 2 hotels in Barrydale
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Travellers' Choice
This is the best 4 star country hotel in the whole of the Klein Karoo! An ideal stop-over between Cape Town and the Garden Route, a must-stay for any visitor! Best food and most comprehensive wine list in the whole of the Klein Karoo! Restaurant has just won the Klein Karoo Gourmand Award ! We have a few signature dishes, reflecting the ethos of the Chaîne des Rộtisseurs, the international gastronomical guild dedicated to the camaradie of the table. Some of these dishes are unique to the Karoo. Loads of historic character. Most friendly staff. Rooms with balconies and views available. Character bar and great restaurant. Huge swimming pool for hot summer days. Many open fireplaces for the winter nights! Karoo hospitality. The hotel is an art gallery with many paintings by local artists on display and for sale. Some rooms with cable TV available. Staff are keen to share local things to do and to see with guests. We even have a private 40 seater private cinema for use by our guests!
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Property amenities
Free parking
Free High Speed Internet (WiFi)
Pool
Free breakfast
Children Activities (Kid / Family Friendly)
Banquet room
Meeting rooms
Massage
Street parking
Wifi
Pool / beach towels
Outdoor pool
Bar / lounge
Restaurant
Breakfast available
Breakfast buffet
Concierge
Gift shop
Non-smoking hotel
Sun umbrellas
Laundry service
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Room features
Housekeeping
Room service
Safe
Bottled water
Electric kettle
Flatscreen TV
Bath / shower
Complimentary toiletries
Hair dryer
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Room types
Non-smoking rooms
Suites
Good to know
HOTEL CLASS
3.0 of 5 stars
HOTEL STYLE
Centrally Located
Languages Spoken
English, Afrikaans
600Reviews1Q+A100Room tips
Traveller rating
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valencia2024 wrote a review 10 Mar
Cape Town, South Africa1 contribution
We stayed at the hotel as they hosted my sons wedding. Everything went according to plan. They exceeded our expectations and very helpful and friendly. I can highly recommend the Karoo Art Hotel for a weekend breakaway or a special occasion
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Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: March 2024
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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louisebakkes wrote a review 9 Mar
1 contribution
The hospitality was absolutely outstanding, no effort was spared to make us feel welcome, loved and valued. The attention to detail and personal touches was top class and we were treated like royalty. The staff was always friendly and well trained, and nothing was an effort for them. Thank you Louise Bakkes
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Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: March 2024
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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jackmoolman wrote a review Feb 2024
George, South Africa7 contributions
The new owners certainly put a lot of effort into revamping the old lady dating back to 1880. Each room is individually decorated with comfortable clean beds. Unfortunately an airconditioning unit is not fitted but a ceiling fan was available although the one in our room had one speed only as confirmed by the friendly staff member who took us to our room. The day of our stay was quite hot with the temperature at 33 degrees. A makeshift shower and toilet were added inside the room which we find to be not to our liking. Due to the hot temperature we kept the balcony doors open during the night but the very big flag next to the balcony made a continuous noise due to the very strong wind throughout the night. We enjoyed the dinner and breakfast in the old worldly dining room where we were served by very friendly staff. Safe parking is available. The owners deserve praise for bringing back to life this Barrydale icon.
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Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: February 2024
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Response from Rick Melvill, Owner at Karoo Art Hotel
Responded 2 weeks ago
Hello Jack thank you very much for this review and and for the recognition of everything you liked. The issue with bathrooms in the rooms is to do with our legacy of a 1895 build. But it is only in certain of the rooms - typically the Klein Karoo rooms but not all of them. 6 of the 17 rooms have that situation. It's a very varied situation with other rooms having enormous bathrooms eg the Baines, Ostrich and Prynnsberg rooms . Please get hold of us before your next visit. I'm determined that we meet you with a bubble bath then. Y.es, also regarding the flags, the next set have an eyelit that'll stop the flapping.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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Robin1911 wrote a review Feb 2024
1 contribution
Enjoyed the stay. Food was excellent and the staff were top class. I would have given it five stars, but the bathroom in the room didn't match the standard of the rest of the hotel. It wasn't a big issue though.
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Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: February 2024
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Response from Rick Melvill, Owner at Karoo Art Hotel
Responded 3 weeks ago
Hi Robin thank you for the kind review, The hotel was built in the 1890's when it wasn't the fashion to have bathrooms ensuite yet. This lead to some srambling in later years. Five of the rooms ended up with the showers and the loo's being incorporated into the rooms via dry walling etc as you would have seen. Fortunately the dimensions of the rooms are generous but yes, a compromise born out of necessity. But then it goes the other way with a number of the rooms where there is acres of space . Eg the Prynnsberg room and GVW have the original hotel passage incorporated into them and this has allowed for a hallway between the bedroom and the bathroom. The Baines room and the Ostrich room are sublime in this respect with their victorian baths along with the showers etc. Pease remind us of this conversation when you next book in and we'll try and take you down a different path. That said we haven't really had any other comment about that aspect of our old lady. As you did I assume people have generally gone with the flow. But thank you for being so kind and accommodating in your final analysis of that aspect of our alterations around a quirky aspect of Victorian hotel design. If this is not about that aspect of the bathrooms and perhaps something else please let me know. Regards. Rick
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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dsteph280058 wrote a review Feb 2024
St. Helena Bay, South Africa1 contribution
This hotel was recommended to us by a friend who visited a few years back. From what we were told, it has changed a bit but was very welcoming. Rooms were very clean and well presented. The pool was absolutely needed as temperatures were in the high thirties. Local restaurants offer high quality food.
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Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: February 2024
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Response from Rick Melvill, Owner at Karoo Art Hotel
Responded 3 weeks ago
Thank you so much for acting on that suggestion of a friend - and then taking the time to write. Hope to see you again 🖖
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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Pepnik_12 wrote a review Feb 2024
Rome, Italy23 contributions3 helpful votes
This was our second stay and we’ll be back for more ! The atmosphere the friendly staff and the top quality restaurant ( we had dinner ‘Al fresco ‘ due to the hot weather ) all contribute to making this a special place …not to mention the early morning mountain river swim !!!
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Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: February 2024
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Response from Rick Melvill, Owner at Karoo Art Hotel
Responded 4 weeks ago
Brilliant to have you as a repeat visitor. Thank you for taking the trouble to do a review.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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Corlu N wrote a review Jan 2024
Oudtshoorn, South Africa8 contributions5 helpful votes
I arrived at the hotel between restaurant services (breakfast and lunch)... starving!! I was informed by the very friendly barista that the kitchen was closed and will re-open for lunch, but she would make a quick enquiry. I've mentioned twice that I understand that they have certain hours of operation and that it was not a problem at all! A few seconds later she came back to tell me that the chef will make me something quickly. And then it arrived while I was sitting on the shaded porch overlooking the garden and herb garden at the back: the best omelette I've had in ages!! Crispy bacon, fried mushrooms and cherry tomatoes, loads of cheese, decorated with fresh basil leaves and drizzled with olive oil and basil pesto... out of this world and even better considering it came from a closed kitchen!!! I have huge respect for staff that are not only there to wait for pay day, but who are willing to walk the extra mile for their clientele...with a smile!!! A big thumbs up to the friendly management and staff at this establishment - you truly deserve all the praise you receive!!
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Date of stay: January 2024
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Trip type: Travelled on business
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Response from Rick Melvill, Owner at Karoo Art Hotel
Responded 28 Jan 2024
This is a lovely note thank you. Not sure if it was Derek or one of his team but there's a fabulous "the answer's yes so what's the question" attitude from the kitchen team and they really do bat for the customer.. I've noticed how Derek also responds so brilliantly to someone with some or other food issue that's making life difficult for them and dives into any opportunity to do something to help. Thanks again.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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vanismi wrote a review Jan 2024
Franschhoek, South Africa1 contribution
Attention to detail, creatively decorated, smell of warm bread, friendly staff, good hearty food, staff are really helpful and prepared to go the extra mile, old and new mix together, center and hub of the town!
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Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: December 2023
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Response from Rick Melvill, Owner at Karoo Art Hotel
Responded 18 Jan 2024
Thank you 🖖
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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fjenki159080 wrote a review Jan 2024
Cape Town, South Africa1 contribution
Thank you for a wonderful stay. One day is not enough. Food, accommodation, people, service, all were tops. Excellent wine to enjoy on your fabulous porch. the back garden and restaurant are so chilled one needs to be convinced to leave to see the town. See you soon.
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Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: January 2024
Value
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Location
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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64onClovelly wrote a review Jan 2024
Clovelly, South Africa2 contributions
So wonderful to stop over that the KAH en route home from our December holiday. Welcomed by Sue and Rick Mevill, the vibe in the pub on a Sunday evening was energetic and the meal simple and delicious. And a must is the early morning swim - Birridale - in the Tradouw Pass ... a excellently exhilarating way to start the day!
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Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: January 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Response from Rick Melvill, Owner at Karoo Art Hotel
Responded 18 Jan 2024
Thanks so much for this .. Birrrrydale will remain manageable for three or so months more and then the Brrrrr starts 🥶. But they say the colder the healthier 🖖
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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Not the right property for you?
There are more places to choose from in the Barrydale area.
PRICE RANGE
HK$633 - HK$860 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
FORMERLY KNOWN AS
Barrydale Karoo Hotel
LOCATION
South AfricaWestern CapeOverberg DistrictBarrydale
NUMBER OF ROOMS
16
Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Please see our partners for more details.
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KAROO ART HOTEL - Updated 2024 Prices & Reviews (Barrydale, South Africa)

Frequently Asked Questions about Karoo Art Hotel
Which popular attractions are close to Karoo Art Hotel?
Nearby attractions include Hardys Memories of Africa African Art and Curios (0.3 km), House of Books (0.2 km), and Magpie Gallery (0.04 km).
What are some of the property amenities at Karoo Art Hotel?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include free wifi, free breakfast, and a pool.
What food & drink options are available at Karoo Art Hotel?
Guests can enjoy free breakfast, an on-site restaurant, and a lounge during their stay.
Is parking available at Karoo Art Hotel?
Yes, free parking and street parking are available to guests.
What are some restaurants close to Karoo Art Hotel?
Conveniently located restaurants include Mez Karoo Kitchen, Diesel & Creme, and Karoo Daisy.
Are there opportunities to exercise at Karoo Art Hotel?
Yes, guests have access to a pool during their stay.
Does Karoo Art Hotel offer any business services?
Yes, guests have access to meeting rooms and a banquet room during their stay.
Which languages are spoken by the staff at Karoo Art Hotel?
The staff speaks multiple languages, including English and Afrikaans.