For generations of agricultural families, the road leads to Paarl every July. It is a pilgrimage rooted in heritage and family legacy. They travel from all over South Africa to watch the famous Interschools rugby matches between Paarl Boys’ High and Hoër Gimnasium Paarl. This year, from 27 July to 1 August 2026, the town celebrates 150 years of this massive school rivalry. While rugby is the main event, the week also features hockey, netball, debating, chess, and cultural activities.
If you are looking for a quiet place to escape the busy crowds at the sports fields, the newly reopened Zomerlust Boutique Hotel on Main Road is the perfect spot. The historic hotel was first built in 1792 and has just been completely fixed up into 15 luxury rooms and suites. Four of these rooms are inside Die Stalle, which are the property’s beautifully restored original stables.
The hotel also features SMEUL Restaurant, run by local chef Kevin Grobler. Every meal here is cooked over an open fire or on wood-burning stoves, giving you an authentic taste of traditional cooking.
Best of all, the hotel has started a “Stay. Dine. Give Back.” program. The initiative allows visitors to support the school they love simply by choosing where they stay and dine. Guests who book accommodation or enjoy a meal at SMEUL Restaurant using their school’s unique booking code will help generate a contribution towards a nominated school fund, supporting sport, bursaries, cultural programmes or future development projects.
“We didn’t want to create another accommodation special,” says Jackie Skeen, General Manager of Zomerlust Boutique Hotel. “We wanted to celebrate the incredible sense of community that makes Paarl Interschools so unique and give visitors an opportunity to leave something behind for the schools that helped shape them.”
Secure Your Interschools Booking
Space is very limited for this high-demand week. Whether your loyalty lies with Paarl Boys’ High (Boishaai), Paarl Gimnasium, or Paarl Girls’ High, please quote your school’s name when booking so a portion of your spend goes directly to them.
Contact: 021 872 2117 / 071 257 6020 | [email protected]