Oak Tree Lodge is a friendly, family-run guest house in the historic winelands town of Paarl, just 45 minutes from Cape Town. Owned and run by Yvette and Gerd Baudewig since 1994, it's a quiet base on the Cape Wine Route with personal, attentive service and easy access to the rest of the Western Cape.

The property is centrally located on Paarl's Main Street and offers comfortable rooms and suites spread across a leafy garden setting with a swimming pool, sun terrace and bar. A full English breakfast is included and is served on the patio in summer or in the dining room. Drinks and packed lunches can be arranged, as can airport transfers, day tours and car hire.

The lodge offers four room categories — entry-level Standard rooms, larger Garden Rooms by the pool, extra-spacious Garden View rooms, and the Garden Suite with its own fireplace and kitchenette. All rooms are non-smoking with free Wi-Fi, satellite TV, secured parking, daily housekeeping, and underfloor heating in the colder months. Twin beds can be converted to a king on request in most rooms.

The Cape Winelands are at the door — Drakenstein, Stellenbosch and Franschhoek wineries, the Paarl Mountain Nature Reserve, Spice Route and Fairview are all within a short drive — and the airport is around 35 minutes away.