The last stop on my South African trip was a tour around Franschhoek and the many luxurious villas and properties we offer there. In case you’re not aware, Franschhoek is a beautiful valley renowned for its wines and top restaurants; despite its rather small size, the town has some of the best eating in the country. It’s become the place to go for food and wine, so if you’d really like to do a bit of indulging on your honeymoon, don’t miss this post. It’s also full of lovely scenery, walks, and cosy bed and breakfasts!
First stop was La Residence. I found this hotel to be totally opulent and very over the top – not to everyone’s taste. I said ‘Wow’ to everything and I can see why Elton John likes it! There are stunning views from the hotel with a lovely pool and terrace. It is, however, a bit far out of town, about fifteen minutes’ walk. You might find it better to take your car. It’s very peaceful, with very personal service and I’m sure you’d be made to feel very at home there. La Residence is currently building some villas at the rear of the property, which I’m sure will be lovely once finished.
Le Quartier Francais is in the perfect location just off the main street. You could park your car and leave it there for two days. Everything is walking distance. The Auberge Rooms are lovely and I do not see the need to upgrade. There’s also a lovely pool area, which is very peaceful considering it’s in town. There are also two excellent restaurants on site with many more to choose from just a stone’s throw away. Overall, the hotel had a very homely atmosphere, nice and laid back.
Next was Farm Lorraine, which is a lovely cottage for exclusive use. I wouldn’t recommend it to honeymooners – it’s a bit big – but it would be excellent for families or couples travelling together. There are three bedrooms, two of which are ensuite. The third has a bathroom opposite. The master bedroom is much larger than the other two, which wouldn’t be problem for a family but might be for groups. Farm Lorraine is a real home away from away, very cosy, well furnished. There are a cook and housekeeper on site to cater to requirements. There’s also a nice pool with loungers, beautiful gardens with an outdoor dining area, large BBQ and a small lake (or large pond depending on how you look at it!). It was all very peaceful and only five minutes drive from Franschhoek town centre.
The Last Word Franschhoek is a beautiful hotel that is also just off the main street in Franschhoek. It’s very close to restaurants and shops. The hotel is very homely with only six rooms, consisting of three superior doubles, two pool suites with their own private pools, and one classic suite. The rate includes breakfast and selected beverages, with a ‘help yourself’ bar in the main lounge and the mini bar is included. There’s even a decanter of sherry in the room. There was a small but nice main pool area with outdoor seating and a roof terrace – good for sundowners. The breakfast room was lovely with a lot of choice – both cold buffet and hot food a la carte.
The staff were very friendly and so helpful with everything. They will suggest activities as well as recommend and book restaurants for you. The rooms were decorated in neutral colours with lovely linen bedding and very comfy beds. The bathrooms are marble. Unfortunately the hotel does fill up quickly with only six rooms, so it might be difficult to book on late availability. If you’re interested try to get in well in advance!
As a bit of a bonus, I’ll also mention Grand Dedale, which is in Wellington about 40 minutes away from Franschhoek. I mainly want to include this because it’s just a stunning property – it’s in a very peaceful location and perfect to just get away. There are three rooms upstairs which are loft style, with three suites downstairs which are larger and which I’d recommend over the lofts. Breakfast, afternoon tea and all soft drinks, beers, and house wines are included in the price from November to March. The property also has a Romantic Cottage, a self-contained unit situated in the garden. It has a large living room with a bedroom on the mezzanine floor and would be perfect for honeymooners. The hotel itself is very remote, so activities are based around the countryside – walking, biking, horse riding, etc. It’s also easy to arrange a wine tasting as the hotel is right on a working wine estate! There’s also a lovely pool with a terrace and a large veranda overlooking the valley. Personally, I think this is a real hidden gem – 3 nights here would be perfect at the start of a honeymoon or at the end of a longer SA itinerary to recharge before heading home. I have never seen anywhere else like it – a very special place!
And that concludes my trip through South Africa – I hope you’ve enjoyed it! If you’re interested in any of the properties mentioned, please do ring us or send us an email at [email protected].
