Stillwater Sanctuary
Guest Guide
WELCOME
Welcome to Stillwater Sanctuary, a hidden gem in the heart of the breathtaking Hemel en Aarde Valley. Our guest house is designed to offer more than just accommodation; it provides an experience that immerses you in tranquillity and luxury.
Essential Numbers and Contacts
Anton de Vries is our esteemed Property Manager with over ten years of dedicated service to Stillwater Sanctuary. We recommend adding Anton’s contact to your phone for convenience. He is readily available to address any inquiries about the property and ensure your stay is comfortable and enjoyable. Please do not hesitate to contact him for assistance during your visit.
Property Manager:
Anton de Vries
📞 +27 (82) 716-7162
📧 anton@stillwater-sanctuary.com
Perfect Hideaways:
Office Hours 📞 021 790 0972
Cell (24/7) 📞 +27 82 043 5811
Emergency Numbers:
General Emergency 📞10111
Ambulance 📞10177
PROPERTY ACCESS
Upon your arrival, Anton will provide you with the keys to Stillwater Sanctuary and offer you a guided tour of the property. This is a wonderful opportunity to familiarise yourself with the sanctuary's amenities and features, ensuring your stay is comfortable and memorable. A set of keys includes a gate remote, a room key, and a key to the main house.
WiFi Access
Stillwater_Guest is an open network that does not require a password to access.
Safety
At Stillwater Sanctuary, we prioritise your safety and peace of mind. The Hemel en Aarde Valley is a secure and friendly environment. A dedicated security company monitors the area and is always on call for swift emergency response services.
For your added security, the property is equipped with a panic button system. In the unlikely event of an emergency, pressing the panic button immediately alerts the security company, prompting a rapid response to assist with any situation you may face.
Should you wish to arm the property, each room's alarm can be switched on separately, allowing you personalised safety and freedom. Each set of keys has a remote for the bedroom alarm, a remote for the main house alarm, and a panic button.
Rest assured that while you are immersed in Stillwater Sanctuary's serene surroundings, you are also protected by vigilant and responsive security services.
Biodiversity at Stillwater Sanctuary
Water Sanctuary is located in the beautiful setting of a vibrant farm, surrounded by the rich biodiversity of Hemel en Aarde Valley. Our grounds are home to various wildlife, from delicate bug life to majestic blue cranes. To ensure your comfort and to keep harmony with nature, we recommend keeping the bedroom doors leading to the courtyard and terrace closed when not in use. This way, you can enjoy the natural surroundings while maintaining the privacy of your space.
Hemel en aarde breeze
Part of what makes the valley special is the fresh wind and air that keep the vineyards cool. We recommend that doors be kept latched to the wall when opened.
Smoking
Stillwater Sanctuary celebrates natural beauty and biodiversity. To protect our environment and ensure the comfort of all guests, smoking is strictly prohibited in all indoor areas. If you wish to smoke, please do so on the balcony.
We kindly ask that you are mindful of the surrounding wildlife and natural habitat when disposing of cigarette butts. Your cooperation helps us maintain the pristine condition of our sanctuary and safeguard the vibrant ecosystem that makes this place special.
Check-out procedure
At the end of your stay, to ensure a smooth departure, please follow these guidelines:
Please confirm the check-out time with the property manager, typically set at 10:00 am.
Lock all the doors, close all windows and double-check all rooms, drawers, and closets for personal belongings.
Please ensure that you return all sets of keys (one for each room and the main house). Please return them directly to the property manager or leave them on the side table in the entrance hall.
COOKING
Kitchen Appliances
Our well-equipped kitchen boasts top-of-the-line appliances, including a gas stove, an electric and gas oven, and ample food storage with a large fridge and separate freezer.
Instructor manuals are provided for the following appliances. Additional information:
Gas stove
A short instructional video on how to turn it on by pressing down on the knob to ignite the gas.
Electric oven
Push in the knob on the left, and it will pop out. Turn to select a setting. Then push in the knob on the right to pop out and select a temperature.
It is not connected to solar power and will not work when the power grid is down.
After a power cut, reset the clock by pressing the clock button followed by the “OK” button. Then, use the oven as usual.
Gas oven
Please ensure the door is open before turning the oven on. The oven will not work if the oven door is closed as a safety mechanism so as not to fill up with gas.
Open the oven, and push and turn the knob on the right anticlockwise to ignite the bottom element. Once you see the flame in the bottom element, stop pushing downwards on the knob and select a temperature.
The knob on the left is used to turn the light on and turn the fan on, should you wish to distribute the heat evenly through the oven. The third setting is for rotisserie grilling, which is not needed.
To turn on the grill function, push and turn the knob on the right clockwise until you see the flam on the top/grilling element.
Please note that the oven can have either the bottom or the top element on, but not both.
Please refer to the manual for further details.
Nespresso machine
We provide a starter pack of 10 pods for your stay. Please feel free to bring additional pods.
Other coffee appliances
Such as plungers, V-60, and Chemex, are available. We provide a bag of ground coffee for your stay.
Dishwasher
Tabs are provided and situated in the yellow tin above the dishwasher.
Outdoor Appliances
Weber Gas Grill
Always start with the grill lid open. To ignite the grill, turn the control knob anticlockwise to the “high” setting and press the ignition button immediately to light the gas.
For braai/BBQ enthusiasts, here is a review of the Weber Genesis Gas Grill.
Wood-Fired Pizza Oven
Smaller pieces of wood can be found underneath the oven for use in the pizza oven.
Place the wood on the metal grill located inside the lefthand side of the oven, start the fire using kindling or firelighters, and close the lid.
Allow the fire to burn and heat the oven. This process usually takes 30-60 minutes to reach optimal pizza cooking temperatures.
The temperature gauge is on the inside of the oven.
Entertainment Sytems
Smart TV
There are two smart TVs in the main house. One is in the living room on the ground floor, and the other is in the day room on the first floor.
Music System
Each bedroom has a HomePod speaker. You can stream music from your phone using AirPlay or ask Siri to play a song for you.
Main House - There’s a Sonos Music system in every room, as well as an entertainment room in the main house. Use AirPlay from your phone to stream or use the iPad in the living room to select a song you like and play.
Board Games and X-Box
Have fun with the board games and X-Box situated in the Day room.
ENERGY AND UTILITIES
At Stillwater Sanctuary, we seamlessly blend the serenity of nature with the conveniences of modern living. Our commitment to sustainability is integrated into various aspects of our guesthouse operations, ensuring your stay supports environmental stewardship while providing utmost comfort.
Solar Energy
Solar panels ensure eco-friendly, reliable power. Grid backup guarantees no interruptions. In the event of a power outage, our generator supports lights, plugs, geysers, and Wi-Fi, keeping the essentials running smoothly.
Pristine Borehole Water
Enjoy the constant supply and refreshing taste of our natural borehole water, which is ideal for all uses.
Firewood
Complimentary firewood is provided to create a warm, inviting atmosphere on cooler nights.
Connectivity
Complimentary open Wi-Fi allows for easy internet access while embracing the tranquillity of your surroundings.
Laundry Facilities
The laundry room offers efficient laundry amenities, including a washer, dryer, iron, and ironing board.
Housekeeping
Revel in the tranquillity of Stillwater Sanctuary while our housekeeping service refreshes the house every two days. This can be adjusted to your preference.
Electricity and Heating
The property is solar-powered. Backup systems include a generator and inverter for essential appliances during load shedding.
Air conditioning is available in all bedrooms.
Electric blankets and additional blankets are provided for comfort.
Refuse
Two large bins are in the kitchen, but should you need to empty them during your stay, please place the refuse in the larger bins located behind the shed to the left of the garage.
REGIONAL ACTIVITIES AND ATTRACTIONS
Hemel en Aarde is known for its beautiful landscapes and vineyards. Explore local wineries, enjoy scenic hikes, or visit nearby Hermanus for whale watching and beach activities. To learn more about activities in the Hemel en Aarde valley visit: stillwater-sanctuary.com/hemel-en-aarde