Accommodation & Rooms

The farmhouse on Excelsior Wine Estate, with the characteristic elegance of the Victorian era and embellished with impressive chimneys and Cape Dutch gables, reflects the essence of the haute couture and affluence of the Ostrich Feather boom of the early 1900s.

Recently restored under the guidance of fourth generation owners Freddie and Kathy de Wet, Excelsior Manor Guesthouse consists of nine luxury country suites each named after famous thoroughbreds and hackneys previously bred on Excelsior Estate.

All rooms incorporate the style and graciousness of yesteryear with the comfort and convenience of modern living.

Each room is equipped with the following: (listed in a side box)

• Complimentary water and small bottle of Muscat
• Towels
• Hairdryer
• Tea & coffee facility
• Bathrobe & slippers
• Bathroom amenities
• Wireless internet connection is available in the lounge area

ROOMS:
• Octavius
Octavius Caeser, the first thoroughbred sire introduced to Excelsior, was bought by Koos de Wet in 1873 from the royal stables of Queen Victoria.

• Evanthuis
Evanthuis, a hackney sire, was imported by J.S de Wet from the United Kingdom in 1913.
He earned his reputation as hackney champion of Britain and America, having won first prize four times at the London Hackney show and in New York.

• Hussein
One of Excelsior's champion stallions, Hussein won the Metropolitan and the Durban July in 1927, and narrowly missed the triple crown by running second in the Gold Cup.

• Agricola
Bred at Excelsior by Freddie's mother, Mrs Margaret de Wet, this champion bay colt won the 1,000 guinea Frank Connock Gold Cup and the Yearling Championship at Milner Park in Johannesburg.
Margaret created history in 1964 as the first woman breeder to win the 1,000 guinea Frank Connock Gold Cup.

• Country Cousin
One of Excelsior's finest racehorses, Country Cousin’s endurance carried her through three seasons to win 10 races (including two victories in the Cape of Good Hope Paddock 'weight-for-age' stakes and that of the Western Province Nursery Cup in 1960).

• San Louis
Bred and owned by Margaret de Wet at Excelsior, San Louis was ill-fated to an early death due to an unknown illness. Freddie's brother, Stephen, lovingly nursed him back to health and San Louis's full recovery saw him winning four races to qualify for the Guineas. In 1981 San Louis won the prestigious 1600m Richelieu Guineas.

• Gondolier
Bred by Freddie's mother, Margaret de Wet, Gondolier was given the title of Three-Year-Old Colt of the Year in 1982/83 after winning both the Sigma Classic at Germiston and the South African Two Thousand at Greyville. His most prestigious win was in 1985 when he finished first in the Rothmans July Handicap.

• Allure (wheelchair friendly)
As one of Excelsior's champion mares, Allure made her debut in July 1986 winning by a good 6 lengths over 1200m at Newmarket. Shortly thereafter she had two successive victories over 1000m at Turffontein, including the Gencor Champion Sprint (Fillies and Mares) where she broke the race record. Later in the year she went on to win the Mike's Kitchen Fillies Guineas at Gosforth Park bettering the race record previously held by Enchanted Garden.

• Dancing Duel
Dancing Duel won the prestigious Durban July in 1993.

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