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- Wooden cabins with indoor fireplaces are a great way to beat the winter blues.
- There are now several options located throughout South Africa that tick all the boxes and have consistently high ratings.
- They're not all pricey, either - with some options competitive for a romantic or family weekend break.
If you're looking to escape the city for a weekend away and like the idea of a remote wooden cabin with a crackling indoor fire, then South Africa isn't short of options.
In recent years, it's an accommodation sector perfected by Western Cape property owners, aided by influencers who can't help but pose alongside quirky accommodation.
But the rest of the country is rapidly catching on with their own takes on the cabin, ranging from humble to lavish and traditional to modern.
There are now cosy cabin options throughout the country, across various price points, that make for a relaxing weekend escape from the city this winter.
Here are six of the highest-rated cabins with indoor fireplaces available to book online.
Protea Cabin, Hogsback, Eastern Cape
Protea Cabin in Hogsback is one of three accommodation options at Organic Origins. The cabin is built on wooden poles with views across a pine plantation. It's a 150-metre walk from the nearest parking, offering total privacy with plenty of natural light and quirky cabin touches.
The Farriers, Hilton, KwaZulu-Natal
The Croft in Hilton offers four sophisticated accommodation options, all of which have high ratings. They somewhat blur the lines between cottage and cabin, which isn't bad. The most cabin-like of the options is The Farriers, which is an up-cycle build with space for two adults and two children. It has a raft of modern conveniences, but come winter, the indoor wood-burning stove is likely to be the biggest hit.
Highlands Mountain Retreat, Golden Gate, Free State
Highlands Mountain Retreat offers a selection of log cabins set high in the Golden Gate Highlands National Park. The simple, spacious cabins, managed by South African National Parks, offer views of the Maluti Mountains and have various conveniences, including a braai, satellite television, and an indoor fireplace.
Woud Blokhuis, Dullstroom, Mpumalanga
Woud Blokhuis is worth considering if you prefer luxurious cabins over rustic ones. This cabin is in a lush forest with large glass windows on all sides, which take in the view. And if lounging beside the fireplace isn't your idea of a holiday, it's also within easy reach of all other things Dullstroom, like hiking, fly fishing and mountain biking.
Birch Cabin, Twee Reviere, Eastern Cape
Birch Cabin has a near-flawless rating on Airbnb after close to 100 reviews. It's a lakeside wooden cabin alongside the creek designed to tap into the surrounding nature without any resort-type features. It's meant as a luxurious catered stay and so feeds off the nearby Belfry Kitchen, which offers meals to the guests either in the restaurant or delivered to the cabin.
Modern Romantic Cabin, Knysna, Western Cape
This fully-equipped cottage in Knysna offers plenty of wood panelling to make you feel like you're ticking off the cabin criteria, yet with all the modern add-ons and accessibility you could need. The cabin features a large spa bath, kitchen, fibre internet, and television - though the lagoon views may occupy most of your attention.
Viewpoint, Haenertsburg, Limpopo
Viewpoint Estate in Limpopo has several multi-storey cabins available to rent. They sleep two to four guests, and each has its own charms. Cabin 6, for example, is quaint and cosy with everything you need for a comfortable stay, fireplace included, and views of Haenertsburg village and Iron Crown mountain.
Arum Lily Log Cabin, Wolseley, Western Cape
Arum Lily Log Cabin is located on a working farm in Wolseley. It's about as classic as a log cabin can get in terms of styling but comes fully equipped with a wooden deck, gas braai, traditional braai, and hot tub. There's also WiFi and an indoor fireplace to keep you cosy during the winter months.
