the perfect escape
Western Cape Adventure Seekers’ Paradise
McBains is a family-owned property, offering lodge-style living in a variety of eclectic rooms and cabins. A ‘backpacker meets an overseas Airbnb guest for a braai with a local South African family on holiday’ type vibe. We pride ourselves on affordable accommodation in a truly unique part of the world.
As unique South African experiences go, the McBains offering is right up there! Enjoy a variety of waterfall hikes, rock-hopping adventures, and nature trails right on our doorstep.
a bit about us
General Info
Our priority is providing a space for you to unwind – without us tending to your every need.
You’ll have your own clean room and a shared kitchen and outdoor lounge area with fabulous views of the mountain and river below.
We have a wide range of books in the rooms and upstairs studio and we encourage you to take a gander while you are here.
We usually light the two communal hot tubs at around 4pm on Fridays and Saturdays, and this is a great way to rinse off the day and soak away your worries.
We are at the top of a mountain. We make no apologies for the weather – which may include howling gales, and freezing cold. In our experience the weather is always the same as whatever is going on in Cape Town, just dialled up a notch.
The nearest shops (Spar, PnP, Checkers, and Woolies) are all in Wellington at the bottom of the pass, 15 minutes away. We do not recommend popping down to the shops while you’re here – so pack wisely.
We have no cellphone reception, but you can get from the road. We have WiFi if you need.
We are a little bit rough around the edges – just how we like it. And if you come with good vibes, you’ll have a good time.
a bit about us
What To Bring
We Supply
- Bedding (sheets, duvets, and pillows)
- Basic kitchen facilities (oven, gas hob, microwave, kettle, cutlery, crockery, braai grids, tongs, etc)
Please Bring
- Head torch
- Your own towels
- Extra blankets / warm layers for cold nights
- R100 cash for key deposit
Food
We are fully self-catering. Please bring your own condiments (and cooking oil). We have communal self-catering kitchens with fridges.
Drinks
You’re welcome to bring your own special tipple. We do ask that you wash your empties and take them home with you as we don’t have recycling facilities available. We also don’t have wine glasses, so if you like a stem, please bring your own.
House-keeping
Limited parking available in the McBains cul-de-sac. Parking close to the main entrance is on a first come first served basis, thereafter we have an adjacent field where you can park after offloading.
a bit about us
House Rules
- Hours
Check-in: 2 – 4pm / Check-out: 8-10am. You are welcome to vacate your room, pack your car and park on the field next door while you head out for a walk or swim. Use of facilities before check-in and after checkout times upon request.
- Alcohol
Excessive drinking of alcohol is not allowed. No drunk or disorderly behaviour will be tolerated. Guests are strongly encouraged to take their empty bottles home with them, as we do not have nearby recycling.
- Smoking
No smoking inside the rooms or communal areas. Smoking is allowed outdoors, away from other guests. It is incumbent upon the smoker to dispose of their cigarette butts appropriately (for example, in the hot tub fire).
- Departure
Please return room keys prior to departure. All rooms and cabins need to be vacated and keys handed into reception by 10am.
- Recycling And Rubbish
Please clean and separate your recycling and place in the correctly marked bins or crates (glass / plastic / paper / organic / uncertain / metal).
- Lost Property
Please remember to do a final sweep of McBains before you leave, as all lost property will be placed in the lost property and donated to charity if not collected within three months.
- Water
The water from the taps is clean and excellent for drinking.
Please obey our House Rules at all times. Anyone who violates the rules of McBains may be asked to leave immediately, without any refund. Thank you!
- Hiking Departure
Enquire at reception regarding permit access to the Cape Nature trails.
- Towels
Guests are asked to please bring their own towels for use on and off the property. Towels are available to rent for R50/towel and a R100 refundable deposit (CASH ONLY).
- Communal Showers
These are located next to Enid bunk room, next to Bob room (inside and outside) and outside Jonathan cabin.
- Music / Noise
No loud music or excessive noise is allowed. Please remain mindful of other guests at all times. Our intention is to nurture a quiet, reflective space.
a bit about us
Additional Fees
- Heaters
Heaters can be rented from reception for R200/heater.
- Dog Fee
R150 per pet. Refundable pet deposit: R300 per pet (separate to the dog fee). This is payable at check-in by cash or card on arrival.
- Pet Policy
Refundable pet deposit: this is for cleaning and damages caused by pets, and will be refunded to the guest by EFT within 72 hours after check-out, if there is no evidence of muddy paws on the white linen, or other damage to McBains property (biting of furniture in the rooms / soiling of carpets / other forms of destruction on linen and cushions). In the event that it is clear that a dog has caused any damage whatsoever to McBains property, then the pet deposit will not be refunded.
– No pets to sleep in/on the McBains beds in the rooms and cabins
– All owners must bring a bed/pillow for their pets to sleep on
– All dogs remain full responsibility of their owners at all times
– No excessive barking allowed
– If your dog is bothering other guests, you will be asked to leave without a refund
– No dogs allowed on Cape Nature Trails
a bit about us
How To Get Here
If you are coming from Cape Town:
- From the N1, take exit 47 onto R44 (Klapmuts / Stellenbosch turn off) Turn left onto R44, direction towards Wellington Continue onto Champagne Street.
- Turn left onto Piet Retief Street. (At this traffic-light intersection you will see a large shopping centre called “Welgelee Plein” in front of you. Here you will find Checkers, Woolworths and Clicks). Continue along Piet Retief Street until the next set of traffic lights, at which you will turn right into Church Street.
- Church Street becomes Bainskloof Pass.
- Continue up the Bainskloof Pass for approximately 20 minutes until you get to the top where the road starts to flatten out.
- As you near the top of the Pass from the Wellington side, you will see a sign saying Bainskloof. This is the start of the Eerste Tol Village. About 150m after the sign there are height restrictions poles dangling down from the middle of the road. At this point you will also see a sign on the right saying “McBains, turn right in 50m”.
- In 50m, look out for the driveway on your right, with a small McBains sign next to a palm tree. Turn in here to find reception and offload your luggage, after which you can then park your car as directed by the McBains staff.
If you are coming from Ceres:
- Drive up Bainskloof Pass, past Calabash Pub and Restaurant.
- At the top of the pass as the road flattens out you will see a few houses.
- We are the first left turn, just before the height restriction poles.