We are the new owners of Villa Helderberg

We are Sonny, Marije and Oliver, the new owners and operators of Villa Helderberg, a family-run guesthouse in Somerset West.

We are originally from the Netherlands, where Marije worked as a youth protector and Sonny was a senior lecturer. Oliver is our adventurous son, who loves nature, cartoons and making new friends. Together we fell in love with the Cape, and we are proud to call Somerset West our home.

Why we chose South Africa

When we first visited South Africa in 2018, we immediately fell in love with the country, its people and its cultures. Then we decided to relocate to Port Alfred in the Eastern Cape in 2022 for work. During that time we wholeheartedly realised our future was in South Africa. We met so many nice people, made friends for life, and in 2024 we decided to quit our jobs and follow our dreams (do as many safaris as possible, haha). This is also when we fell in love with Villa Helderberg. And now it is our mission to make you feel as 'at home' as we felt all these years.

Since taking over, we have renovated the rooms and cottages, reimagined the garden and added a KolKol wood-fired hot tub, a lapa with bar and an outdoor shower with mountain views. We look forward to meeting you and sharing our favourite places in Somerset West, from wine estates and hiking trails to the best spots for breakfast. Please don't feel shy. So if you have any questions, let us know. Most importantly, we are always up for a drink and a bite with our guests. We also really appreciate feedback. If there is anything we need to improve, let us know.