In the heart of the picturesque village of Kylemore, just outside Stellenbosch, you’ll find Staymore Guesthouse—a growing establishment with a passion for authentic hospitality, community upliftment, and continual innovation. What began as a humble Airbnb listing has evolved into a fully-fledged guesthouse, recently awarded 3-star status by the Tourism Grading Council of South Africa.

We caught up with owners Lecelin and Antonio, who shared more about their recent upgrades, future plans, and how they’re building a business that supports both guests and the local community.

Q1: Let’s start with the upgrades – what motivated the recent changes you’ve made at Staymore Guesthouse?

Our journey at Staymore began with a simple desire to share our beautiful space and the warmth of South African hospitality. We started small, as an Airbnb, driven by a passion for connecting with people from all walks of life and showcasing our beautiful village of Kylemore. And what a journey it’s been! We’re incredibly proud to say that we’ve already welcomed guests from over 50 countries, making Staymore a true home away from home for friends from all over the world.

From those humble beginnings, we’ve grown significantly. We’re now proudly listed on Booking.com, Expedia, and various other platforms. We’ve even launched our own website, a testament to our expansion and commitment to offering a seamless booking experience. It’s been an amazing ride building Staymore from scratch, and we truly cherish every guest who walks through our doors.

As a growing business, we’re always looking for ways to improve the guest experience. Over the past year, we’ve specifically upgraded two of our rooms by adding modern en-suite bathrooms, ensuring guests enjoy greater privacy and comfort. We’ve also refreshed some of our décor, adding headboards to our beds and installing block-out curtains, alongside extra amenities based on guest feedback. These upgrades were motivated by our commitment to offering stylish, affordable accommodation that meets the expectations of both local and international travelers.

We really pride ourselves on delivering a High-Quality, Great Value experience at the most affordable rates in or near Stellenbosch. This balance of quality and value is a key unique selling point for your referrals. That’s why you’ll find quality furniture, sumptuous Egyptian cotton bedding, and air conditioning in most rooms. Every detail, from the amenities to the comfortable spaces, is chosen to ensure your guests have the best possible stay, providing remarkable value without compromising on comfort or elegance. We’re also incredibly proud to have been awarded 3-star accommodation by the Tourism Grading Council of South Africa, a testament to our commitment to quality.

Q2: You mentioned a new meeting and event space currently in development. Can you share more about the vision for this space and the types of groups or events you hope to attract?

Yes, we are incredibly excited about this! We are currently converting part of our open-plan entertainment area into a private meeting and event space. The vision is to create a comfortable, informal venue for various gatherings. We’re looking to attract small to medium-sized meetings, workshops, intimate celebrations, and even corporate functions. The space is designed to comfortably accommodate up to 30 people, making it ideal for entrepreneurs, remote workers, or visitors combining business and leisure travel. It’s a versatile new offering that we believe will be a fantastic resource for our community and visiting professionals.

Q3: Sustainability and local integration are key topics in tourism today. Are there any efforts at Staymore that align with responsible tourism or community engagement?

Definitely. As a 100% black-owned and majority female-owned business based right here in Kylemore, community integration is part of who we are – it’s in our DNA. We wholeheartedly support other small local businesses wherever possible. For example, the delicious peach jam you’ll find at our breakfast table comes from a remarkable 92-year-old auntie right here in the Kylemore community – it’s truly the most delicious jam, made with a lifetime of love! We also support different local bakers who provide the fresh bread for our breakfasts, ensuring our guests enjoy authentic, homemade goodness while directly empowering local entrepreneurs.

Beyond breakfast, we love referring guests to other home dining offerings in the area, including the charming Siena’s Beker en Bord right here in Kylemore. This allows visitors to experience truly authentic local cuisine and further supports our community.

We’re deeply committed to responsible tourism, which means optimizing our energy consumption, practicing water-saving techniques, and diligently recycling. As the Chairlady for Women in Tourism in the Cape Winelands, fostering sustainable practices and giving back to the community are especially close to our hearts. We strive to create local employment, develop our team members, and encourage our guests to explore and support the unique charm of our local businesses and attractions. 

Q4: What role does collaboration with other local tourism experiences, like Aquila Safari, play in your business model?

Collaboration is absolutely essential to our success. Many of our guests come to explore the beauty of Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, and the wider Winelands, but they’re also looking for unique, authentic experiences beyond the vineyards. By partnering with renowned local attractions like Aquila Safari, we can help guests easily book memorable day trips or tours directly through us.

This not only adds immense value for our guests, offering them a more comprehensive itinerary, but it also significantly strengthens the entire tourism ecosystem in our region. We believe working together creates a more inclusive, dynamic, and sustainable tourism offering for everyone involved, from the operators to the guests themselves. It’s a win-win strategy that allows us to showcase the best of the Cape Winelands.

Q5: Looking ahead, what are your goals for the next 6–12 months at Staymore Guesthouse?

Our short-term focus is on completing and successfully launching the new meeting and event space, ensuring it’s a seamless and valuable addition to our offerings. We’re also continuously enhancing our guest facilities, especially with the upcoming winter season in mind, to ensure maximum comfort.

On the marketing side, we aim to increase awareness of Staymore as a comfortable and affordable base for both leisure and business travelers. A true “home away from home” that offers exceptional quality at an accessible price point. We’re particularly excited to continue building and nurturing partnerships with other tourism businesses in the region, knowing that these collaborations are key to our collective success. Ultimately, we aim to continue being a proud contributor to the vibrant Cape Winelands tourism scene.

Staymore Guesthouse exemplifies the spirit of destination-driven tourism—where quality hospitality goes hand-in-hand with community engagement, sustainable practices, and collaborative growth. As they expand their offering to include a flexible new event space and continue investing in both comfort and connection, Lecelin and Antonio are not only enhancing the guest experience—they’re strengthening Stellenbosch’s tourism ecosystem from the heart of Kylemore.