The name is a certainly unique – and upon arrival at theLAB in Robertson, I wasn’t really quite sure to expect (despite some crazy imaginings involving the Rocky Horror Show with my travelling partner, lol) Imagine our joy at arriving one of the most welcoming and scenic stay over spots, located off the beaten track in Rosendal, just outside of Robertson.
theLAB (which also has venues in Cape Town and Franschhoek) is unique and totally green – from energy-saving technology – to just about everything imaginable to reduce waste and conserve the planet.
As you know I am big on my recycling so the fact that only glass water bottles are used (and reused) across the property, beer and gin on tap at the bar, meaning you can refill your glass over and over and not take a fresh glass every time, along with their totally nature-friendly bath and shower products makes for a unique stay. This is my kind of spot.
Our Superior room was large and modern – the electric blinds made for some fun especially in the morning while half asleep, and in-room Alexa will sort out all your important queries such as – what is the weather doing today, and what is nearby that is fun to do? The room is in fact fully voice automated, although I didn’t give that a go – anyone who has ever spent the night with me will know that I am totally incoherent until after my first coffee, and we may have wound up with the blinds up and the coffee on the floor 😉
Our room looked out over the pool area, and contained the coolest built-in bedside fridge – on one side of the bed – and on the other a full-on Cappucino machine – why get out of bed to have a cappuccino, when you can just lean out and brew up a warm java?
The big deck at the back of the property where breakfast and dinner are served, looks out over the mountains and the onsite dam, populated with beautiful birdlife and the neighbouring pool area is welcoming and the best answer to cooling off after a warm day on the wine route.
Dinner was delicious. A limited menu, but I just have to say our fillet steaks were HUGE and utterly cooked to perfection – no need for dessert after that, wow! No candles for the green theLAB, instead they offer Philip’s Hue Lights to add some ambience in your preferred colour to the table.
After a busy day on the wine route and a tasty dinner, we retired to sleep and emerged rejuvenated – and hungry again, the next morning!
Breakfast takes the form of a hearty buffet comprised of all the good things – fruits, yoghurt, cold meats and cheese as well as a make your own toast station. Order your hot food off the menu – our standard English brekkie was plentiful and tasty, and with a view like this, you may battle to get your day started as you linger over a third Cappucino – guilty as charged!
The e-bikes are fab – if you go to stay you MUST take one of these for a spin. Totally battery-operated, and charged kind of like a smart car – these are really quite fun, and a great way to explore the surrounding area. Or if you are a more active fitness fiend – grab a normal pedal bike, work on those legs! Make sure to check out Owl’s Rest Olive and Lavender Farm and have a cup of tea in their beautiful gardens, grab a bite to eat at Mo & Rose at Soekershof or explore nearby Marbrin Olive Farm.
theLAB also offers small conferencing facilities and certainly would make for a break from the norm, if you are looking to host a meeting or get together in the Klaas Voogds West area.
Want to rest and revive a bit – spend some time by the pool or book yourself in for a massage at the onsite wellness centre – the back and neck massage was fab, and I honestly wished we could have spent a bit more time here – my poor stressed neck was only just beginning to relax at the end of 30 minutes. Definitely returning again for a longer massage!
All in all, this was one of the most unique spots I have stayed over in and I love the green concept – well done for breaking out of the mould and doing something great for our planet, theLAB team!
A: Rosendal, Klaas Voogds West, Robertson
T: +27 23 626 1570
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