Located in the very heart of the Stellenbosch historic town centre, the Oude Leeskamer Guest House combines old world elegance with contemporary luxury for the discerning business and leisure traveller. Recently restored, the building has over the last two centuries served as a magistrate"s office, school, political meeting place, residential home, architects" studio and originally a Reading Room - hence the name *Oude Leeskamer+.

With the town centre, museums, University and a selection of excellent restaurants, galleries, vineyards and sporting stadiums right on the doorstep and a huge variety of leisure activities a short drive away, the Oude Leeskamer Guest House is superbly located for experiencing the wine lands and beyond.
The sympathetic integration of modern luxuries and carefully selected antiques provides the perfect backdrop to offering guests true South African hospitality in this elegant Cape Dutch building.

The leather armchairs, original fireplace and warm yellow wood floor of the living room are perfect for savouring a cup of coffee, playing a game of chess or perusing the day's newspapers, whilst the kitchen is the source of warm bread, freshly ground coffee and delectable smells.

The solid yellow wood bar is the ideal location for conversing over a glass of local wine, and the private courtyard lends itself to soaking up the winter sun or basking in the dappled summer shade of the Maple tree, whilst listening to the fountain splashing in the background.

The boutique guest house offers:


- 5 luxury en-suite bedrooms with private balconies, crisp percale cotton linen, mini-bars and hospitality trays
- 1 Luxury Suite with self-catering facilities, comprising lounge dining room kitchenette, bedroom with king-size bed and in-room bath and bathroom with oversized shower - perfect for honeymooners. The living room has additional semi-private sitting area with sleeper couch so unit can accommodate 4 - ideal for families.
- Modern conveniences in all rooms, including flat-screen satellite TVs, international plug sockets and wifi internet.
- A private courtyard to enjoy a choice of inclusive breakfasts or a glass of local wine.
Built in 1815, the Oude Leeskamer (original Dutch name of the building, - Old Reading Room in English) has a rich and varied history, including being used for a variety of cultural, educational, political and religious purposes. It derives its name from previously having been used as a public reading room or library, most notably by the Dutch readers! club, Lust tot Wetenschap, (strictly for men only), which met here from as early as 1840. The formal name - Oude Leeskamer - appears on documents as early as 1861.

The building also served as a school, and the location of the Moederkerk's evening services and catechism classes. In the early years of the Union Debating Society the Leeskamer was often the venue for the Society's meetings, and it was here that D.F. Malan's first address was delivered, - so shakily that the critics made mincemeat of him. But Malan persevered ,- becoming not only secretary but also, for two years, chairman of the Debating Society. He later went on to become Prime Minister of South Africa.

The Oude Leeskamer's most noteworthy use, however, is that the decision to found a Gymnasium, which later developed into Paul Roos Gymnasium and the University of Stellenbosch, was taken in the building on the 28th January 1864.

In 1961, Stellenbosch Architect George Osler (of the famous South African rugby family), restored the building and started a trend in Stellenbosch, which led to the town centre being restored. George, his wife Pam (still a frequent visitor to the Oude Leeskamer), and their sons Bob and Russel made this building their home for over 20 years.

Fred de Kock (then a junior partner in George Osler's architectural studio) and his wife Jean bought the building and it served as the location of the family's architectural studios since the early eighties. In 2010 Fred and Jean de Kock began work on restoring the building. The Oude Leeskamer is now a small, independent boutique guest house run by Paul and Karin de Kock.