Fodor's Expert Review De Hoek Country House

In France this exclusive establishment would be called an auberge—a small destination hotel with a great restaurant suitable for a overnight or weekend jaunt—and the two-story stone-and-heavy-timber building along the river would not be out of place in Provence. De Hoek is in semi-indigenous gardens in the exquisite Magalies River valley. The quiet rooms have golden walls and dark mahogany furniture. Some of the superior suites have fireplaces, and all rooms have underfloor heating. Archery, croquet, lawn bowling, and mountain walks are some of the activities, but the restaurant ($$$$)—serving eclectic, classy cuisine such as homemade tagliolini with shredded crab meat in a chili, cream, and tomato sauce and roast rack of lamb rubbed with Moroccan-style spice and tamarind sauce—is what brings most people. Apart from Sunday lunch, the restaurant is open only to hotel guests.