A quick overview:
The Shoe Guesthouse currently has 10 Self Catering Accommodation units available.
Dr. Ron van Zyl, the builder, and founder of The Shoe Ministries built 5 of the units from local dolomite stone quarried in the mountain, the other 5 units are a large farmhouse that was renovated and divided into 5 units. A full description of each unit can be found further down on this page.
Want to skip to the pictures? Click here!
Loadshedding Provisions
With the current economic climate in South Africa, we have put effort into being self-sustainable.
We are currently running on 80% solar power during the day and 30% solar power during the night. Solar Collectors help with making hot water and boilers keep the water hot at night.
Each unit has at least 1 light and a solar-powered plug that works during Load Shedding. This enables you to keep watching TV, have the use of WiFi, a fan, and the ability to charge your phone when the power is out.
All units are equipped with gas stoves and thus cooking and making coffee will not be a problem.
We are still in the process of expanding our solar system.
Things to do at The Shoe Guest House
TV
TVs are all fitted with OVHD decoders which will provide each room with a range of open-view channels including SABC 1, 2, 3, and E-TV. We do however provide each room with 1 DSTV channel. This channel is operated from the Main House and is usually kept on a Movie channel.
The Shoe House has a smart TV with a Wifi Connection.
Swimming
Guests have access to the outdoor cold water swimming pool, communal braai (BBQ) area for groups, and games area. (Pool table, darts, ping pong table). The Coldwater swimming pool is kept clean during summer months only, from about September to April.
WI-FI
We are located in an area where there is nearly no cell phone coverage at all except for a little Vodacom in the Parking area. We do however offer free Wi-Fi to our guests. Due to the rock walls, the Wi-Fi signal does not penetrate into the rooms but you should be able to connect on just about every outside veranda of each unit.
FOOD
The Fully Licensed Family Day Restaurant on site is open for breakfast and Lunch throughout the day. Dinner can be arranged on order. We serve food after hours in the rooms.
VISIT THE SHOE MUSEUM AND ART GALLERY
Visitors can enter The Shoe and see the museum pieces of ‘The Old Lady of the Shoe’ as well as the wood carvings of Ron van Zyl and learn more about the history of the Ohrigstad Valley.
The Artist Owner, Ron van Zyl, had a vision about the spiritual world and built his vision. Today visitors can also go on a guided tour of 90 minutes in which the family will explain the meaning of the Cave. Learn more about the Alpha Omega Cave here.
The Gift Shop has a unique variety of handmade gifts, toys, and books.
Our Tuck shop stocks basic grocery and essential items such as wood, milk, bread, drinks, and snacks.
ROOM SERVICES
Rooms are cleaned daily without extra charge. You can opt out of this service if you choose.
Beds are made up with sheets, blankets, and Duvets. We provide one towel per person.
Swimming Pool towels are not provided.
SAFETY
The entire area is very safe. There are no covered or enclosed parking areas, but cars are parked right outside your door. We have an electric gate, and each guest is provided with an entrance and Exit Code.
MALARIA
Although we are outside the defined malaria areas, preventive government measures are taken against mosquitoes each year. All units are sprayed periodically against Mosquitoes. It is still advisable to use products against Mosquito bites such as room sprays and skin applicators. But we do not advise that you use any medication against Malaria.
CHECKING IN TIMES
Reception is located inside the Shop next to The Shoe. It is open from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm on weekdays and 9:00 am to 4 pm on Weekends and Public holidays. If you arrive after closing time you can use the intercom at the main gate to call us.
Check-in times: 12 noon to 8 pm.
Check-out time: Not later than 10 am
We do not accept any first-night check-ins after 8 pm at night. After check-in, guests can come and go as they, please as they are provided with Gate Codes.
Please be sure to keep us updated on your arrival time. As this is a privately owned Guesthouse, there is no night staff to, receive Guests during the night.
HOUSE RULES
We like to keep our place as quiet and peaceful as possible and therefore we do not allow any excessive loud parties or music playing from car radios.
Music played from portable devices should be kept to a moderate volume and all noises should be kept to a minimum after 10 pm.
We urge guests to consider each other and the owners.
Currently, we have a NO PET policy.
PRICES
Current Prices:
R400 per person per night. (This price is based on sharing with at least one other person)
Single rooms are R500 per night.
Children between 2 and 12 years pay R200 per night if sharing with at least one Adult.
One baby under 2 years old is allowed to stay free.
All the normal rooms are charged on a per person per night rate, it does not matter which room you stay in.
Only the Newly Build Shoe House is charged on a per-unit price.
Family rooms, as well as Single rooms, are available.
Discounts apply for long stay periods. Please get a quote.
Click on the Room pictures below to view each unit.
The following video is a walk-through of the Property at The Shoe Guest House. This will give you an idea of the layout of the property and the outside spaces.
DarmiMaddie says
Well! Obviously the advantages here outweighs the disadvantages attached to this shoe guest house here. I honestly this k this is really worthy to see here and thank you so much for sharing with us all. In all honesty, this is great and I value all of these here. This shoe guest house is definitely worthy and the fact that you are green makes it even better. Thanks
admin says
Thank you for your comment. Yes Green has its advantages in deed! We all need to do our part for the environment and also find alternatives to the ever increasing Electricity bills!
Jbryce says
It’s a really nice idea to read through this article about The shoe guest house, I’ve enjoyed reading through this and I like the guest house, really aesthetic sand it is very beautiful too picture,, I like the activities that are available there and I’m very sure it’s gonna be a very great idea to visit sometime. Thanks for sharing
admin says
Thank you for your comment. We hope that you will share this with your friends!
Adyns68 says
The shoe guest house looks funny and pretty!
I really thought all the guesthouses were in a shoe form. I have to say because of the name we all expect to spend the night in a shoe. But I still like the place, it looks calm and beautiful, perfect for a weekend gateway.
And a picture of me sitting on the actual shoes will be a must before leaving the place.
Thanks
admin says
Yes we get that allot. But the good news is we are currently building a Shoe for people to stay in. By middle next year you should be able to come and spend the night in a Shoe!
The Original Shoe as on the pictures is actually a Museum and the Art Gallery of owner and Artist Ron van Zyl. You can visit the Shoe and see what is inside. We are open 7 days a week.
Nhlonipho raseomane says
The shoe is beautiful out side and inside it have everything
We need. I hope people can come and see what I saw but
Me I thought people don’t sleep in the shoe . But I can see
That we can sleep in the shoe
Michell Botha says
Hi Nhlonipho
Yes, the original Shoe was built in 1990, it is the one you see from the road when you drive by. This original Shoe is the Museum and the art gallery. We have now built a second Smaller Shoe for the sole purpose of renting it out as accommodation.
We are glad to hear that you like the new Shoe building. I hope you will come and stay in it. Have a great day.
Collins says
Wow, this guest house is really top notch, it has amazing features, i will definitely like to visit here soon. Unlike other guest houses I have visited the features are really unique and more to it, you use solar power, it’s amazing that you use natures power to light up the guest house, it is really a place to visit. Thanks
admin says
Thank you Collins. We would love to have you! Hope to see you sometime soon!
Michell