Situated in the cleft between the Magalies- and Witwaters mountain ranges on the Saartjiesnek pass, lies the
family owned farm where Sunplace Lodge overlooks the breath-taking Hartbeespoort scenery to the west.
Only 55 minutes’ drive from Johannesburg and 45 minutes from Pretoria, the farm conveniently forms the hub between Johannesburg, Pretoria and Rustenburg and is the perfect location for a holiday, quick weekend getaway or a stop-over for business travellers.
Booking and room Information:
All rooms and public shared spaces on the farm are non-smoking (a designated smoker’s bench on the northern side of main building is available)
Regretfully no pets allowed
Our rates include breakfast, available from 07:00 to 10:00 (unless pre-arranged)
Guests with special dietary needs or requests are welcome (please state this in advance)
Check in time: 14:00 – 19:00
Check out time: 11:00
Please let us know of late arrivals to ensure someone is available to welcome you.
Positive identification of all our guests is required (ID, Passport, Driver’s license)
Children:
Children are welcome, but to allow all guests an environment of relaxation, we ask parents to supervise their children at all times.
Children under 5 years stay for free (sharing with parents, max 2 children per room)
Children 5 – 15 years: half price
Children aged 16 and older will be accommodated at adult rates
Deposits:
Single night: (Monday – Thursday), 100% upfront payment.
Minimum of 2 night’s stay over a weekend is required.
All other stays, incl weekends, require a 50% deposit upfront.
Cancellations and Refunds:
In order for your deposit to be refunded, cancellations must be made in writing and send to bookings@sunplace.co.za
At least 2 days (48 hours) before the reserved date for low season / weekdays and 3 days (72 hours) for peak season / weekends.
For cancellation of larger bookings (3 rooms or more), we need to be informed in writing at least 3 days (72 hours) prior to the reservation date for low season / weekdays and 4 days (96 hours) for peak season / weekends.
NO refunds for non-arrivals and no show guests.
Payments:
We prefer cashless transactions
All major debit and credit cards are accepted, we regret no cheques
Accommodation is only confirmed once deposit has been received
Please provide your VAT number, if applicable, for tax claim purposes invoice to be issued
Kindly email proof of payments to admin@sunplace.co.za
We kindly request an estimated time of arrival as well as a contactable mobile number of all our guests to reach them, if necessary.
What makes the Holm family and Sunplace Lodge so unique, is that both represent a passion for nature, a sense of responsibility for the environment and becomes a symbol for living consciously and sustainably; the ideal setting for inspirational get togethers.
We warmly invite you to come and soak up the sun and savour the astonishing surroundings; enjoying leisure in a way that is different from the norm, yet inviting and familiar.
In the early 1960’s, Dieter & Gesine Holm with their family, moved to the farm Welgegund, at the summit of Saartjiesnek, Hartbeespoort.
Welgegund farm lies within the UNESCO declared Magalies Biosphere Range; with a breathtaking view of Hartbeespoort Dam and Magaliesberg mountain range, representing everything that the name indicates; “well-bestowed”.
Professor Dieter, leading the Department of Architecture at the University of Pretoria at that time and also a specialist in passive design, renewable energy and energy sufficiency, made a conscious decision not to connect their farm to the national electricity grid or municipal services and looked at alternative ways to live sustainably without being archaic. Water was also a big concern as underground water could only be found far from the house, very deep and weak. The alternative was to build cement dams at three of the corners of the house to collect rain water, still the only means of water supply for all the consumption on the farm.
The passive designed family home became the Holms’ expression of this legacy.
Including remarkable features for that period in time, such as solar water heating, solar cooking, solar electricity, a biogas system, grey water use for flushing the toilets, rain water harvesting and recycling, created the setting for pioneering the first self-sustainable home in South Africa.
Over the next four decades, the Holms showcased their house and sustainable lifestyle to anyone interested and held open days where people could visit and learn more about this lifestyle.
It came naturally then that Henning Holm, also an architect by profession and later specializing in alternative energy strategies, followed in his father’s footsteps to build Sunplace Lodge as an example of what can be achieved in the field of sustainable commercial design in the built environment and green tourism. The entire project is running on environmental conscious activities, making this a bigger, more evolved version of the original family home to become the manifestation of a family’s dream not just for show casing what can be achieved, but also allowing guests to experience this lifestyle in a practical and participating way.