The history of Eight Bells dates back to 1816, when the property was outlined and granted to a certain Johannes Petrus Marx on the condition that it would be “a place of outspan” for travelers passing between Mossel Bay and Oudtshoorn.
Situated on the Attikwas Mountain Pass (now the Robinson Pass), the property made the idyllic location for travelers to access freshwater and rest from their journey. Appropriately, the district was named “Ruyterbosch” the Dutch work for “rider’s bush”.
For years, the outspan serviced traders and travelers, becoming so popular that the original homestead (what is now the Billiard Room) was expanded by two additional rooms to accommodate others (what is now the Bosun’s Whistle Pub). Over the years, these extra rooms served as overnight accommodation for passing visitors, housing for the first local school master, and even the local post office for a time.
During the 1930s, the British Royal Navy and Royal Air Force were based in Oudtshoorn for training in the Klein Karoo. Having to dock in Mossel Bay meant that they, like the many travelers before them, would take the Attikwas Mountain Pass to their military base on the other side of the mountains. The place of outspan had never been so popular, with naval men constantly passing through to and from Mossel Bay. This prompted the further expansion of the homestead, with multiple rooms and rondavels being built near the main building as well as the conversion of the horse stables to additional rooms (what is now Palm Court).
It was the constant presence of naval men that prompted the name Eight Bells. At sea, the bell is rung once for each half hour of a four-hour watch, and so when the eighth bell is rung, it signifies the end of the full watch – the time to rest. A fitting name for a hotel. By the mid-1940s, Eight Bells was the premier guest farm in the Southern Cape.
Unfortunately, the hotel’s success took a turn as it was struck with hard times and bad luck that lasted for decades. By 1974 when the Brown Family acquired it, many of the buildings were run-down and neglected. Luckily, the Brown Family was enchanted with the land and surrounding countryside and saw great potential in the hotel and were willing to undertake major upgrades and renovations. They lovingly restored the buildings, added new amenities and facilities, and upgraded staff quarters. Within just five years of the Brown’s ownership, Eight Bells received its one-star grading. In 1985, a second star was awarded, followed closely by a third star in 1990. Major renovations were undertaken again in the late-1990s, in which the reception foyer, kitchen, restaurant, garden terrace, parking lots, tennis courts, and pool were updated. After years of hard work and dedication, Eight Bells secured its four-star grading from TGCSA in 2003.
In 2007, and after 34 years of ownership, the Brown Family decided to retire and sell Eight Bells to its present owners, the Bongers Family. The Bongers Family has maintained the tradition of being a family-run hotel, and has worked hard to balance the old-world charm and traditions embedded in the hotel with innovative ideas and modernity. In addition to upgrades to the rooms, the tea garden, hotel exterior, and infrastructure, the Bongers have focused much of their attention on the hotel grounds. With more than 60 trees planted around the hotel, the grounds have been transformed into a lush garden oasis. Additionally, conservation measures have been gradually implemented to remove invasive species, like the black wattle, from the indigenous mountain fynbos on the property with the goal to maintain biodiversity and ensure that the fynbos habitat survives for future generations to enjoy.
Here at Eight Bells, we continue to celebrate our rich and dynamic history – for it has shaped us into the unique destination that we are today!