Heated saltwater pool, Carchele Beauty Spa*, boutique*, Wi-Fi throughout
Beach
White sandy beach
*Denotes local charge
Heated saltwater pool, Carchele Beauty Spa*, boutique*, Wi-Fi throughout
White sandy beach
*Denotes local charge
Meaning ‘big forest’ in Afrikaans, Grootbos is surrounded by ancient milkwood trees that are the foundation of the remarkable natural environment that envelops this spectacular place. Secluded and luxurious, the lodge is set in its own nature reserve near Gansbaai. The way of life here is all about nature and conservation with daily activities including horse riding, guided walks, nature drives, beach expeditions and fishing. From the extraordinary free-standing suites of either the family-friendly Garden Lodge or the adults-only Forest Lodge, you can gaze out at the gently rolling hills covered by fynbos that are abruptly halted by towering peaks. Stylishly furnished with luxurious canopy beds, each suite comes complete with a separate lounge, cosy fireplace, and private wooden decks from which you can enjoy the panoramic views. Each has been carefully designed to face towards the setting sun to make the most of the view as the world around you changes colour and glows in a warm orange light. In keeping with the ethos of the hotel, food here is prepared with organic ingredients sourced from the lodge’s Growing the Future project. Offering elegant fine dining in a world-class setting, the restaurant serves everything from delicious fresh seafood from Walker Bay, to matured beef fillet accompanied by superb local wines. If you’re looking for adventure, there’s plenty on offer here, with everything from scenic flights to see the whales from above, to 4x4 flower safari, cave tours and quad biking available. If you like a more relaxed pace, there’s also the indulgent spa – the perfect spot for a bit of pampering.
Mont Rochelle has the wow factor. Turning off an unassuming road, you’re led up a large private drive to a grand entrance and the sense of arrival is palpable. Once you reach the top of the estate, the panoramic views of the valley are incredible; you can see Franschhoek’s stretch of shops and restaurants sitting prettily below, the deep green of grapevines in the forefront, and the dramatic mountains rising beyond. The space is seemingly endless and within moments, you feel peaceful. Whether it’s the passionate staff, or the fun details like the giant chess set on the lawn, it’s easy to see why Mont Rochelle feels so special. There are just 26 bedrooms within the estate’s 100 acres, creating a romantic setting surrounded by vineyards and the sweeping valley. It’s one of Sir Richard Branson’s exclusive range of properties and it shows; the service is so warm it hardly feels like service at all. Many guests leave feeling like they’ve been welcomed into the family. The estate is around a mile from Franschhoek, with twice daily transfers into the town a day, so it’s easy to see the local sights and return to your grand, 100-acre estate. Wine tastings are available in the 150-year-old wine cellar as well as MIKO Restaurant, the clean-lined and quirky international venue, and Country Kitchen, the bright and airy informal restaurant. Sip on a few glasses of Mont Rochelle’s finest and drink in the classic Wineland views. The 26 rooms are found in and around the main hotel building with four in the separate Manor House a short walk or drive away. Rooms and suites complement the sublime surroundings with an elegant palette of taupe and white accented with colourful headboards and statement chairs. All have king-size or twin beds and differ in size and view, starting with Shiraz Rooms which look out to the courtyard or valley, while upgrading to a Merlot Room gives you more space and lovely valley views. Pinotage Suites feature a separate lounge and excellent views. Cabernet Rooms and Cap Classique Suites are cleverly hidden in the hillside in the Vineyard Wing, and the latter has its own plunge pool. Manor House has four rooms and a bunk room, as well as common areas, a kitchen, heated outdoor pool and a gym, and can be booked for exclusive use – a popular choice for groups and families.
One of the Winelands’ most distinguished examples of Cape Dutch architecture, Lanzerac Hotel & Spa is a luxurious vineyard hotel on a beautiful 326-year-old working wine estate on the outskirts of Stellenbosch. Dating back to 1692, the Cape Dutch architecture of this vineyard hotel reflects the charm of its interior. Featuring a working wine estate and cellar tours, it also has a pampering spa, terrace restaurant, and à la carte Grosvenor restaurant. Explore the 155 hectare estate, the working winery and its cellars, relax amongst the gardens or by the pool, or savour gourmet cuisine and fine wines at the restaurant. The Lanzerac Spa offers the perfect retreat, with exclusive signature therapies and full hydro facilities including a heated indoor pool, sauna, steamroom and mist rooms. Wine tasting, cellar tours, golf, hiking and mountain biking can all be arranged nearby.
A boutique hotel comprised of two historic houses in central Stellenbosch. Set beside a river in a leafy corner of the Cape Winelands, this charming and beautifully restored manor has National Monument status and oozes serenity, offering light and elegant colonial-style rooms amid lush tranquil gardens. The hotel serves breakfast and light snacks, encouraging guests to get out and explore all that Stellenbosch has to offer. The staff are friendly and are more than happy to recommend a restaurant or winery to suit your taste. It’s just a short stroll from the shops, cafés, galleries and museums and there's are trails for jogging and cycling opposite the hotel for guests to want to keep active and explore at the same time. The hotel's gardens house two pools and a health and beauty spa with steamroom.
At the heart of the southern right whale migratory route, the glorious oceanfront setting of the Abalone Guest Lodge provides stunning views of the surrounding hills. There's direct access to the scenic cliff path which makes for a lovely 25-minute stroll to Hermanus. The superb location also offers easy access to the range of activities on offer in Hermanus, from wine tasting and golf, to sea kayaking and shark cage diving. With light and spacious boutique rooms of natural hues, complete with South African art and décor, you'll find this a comfortable retreat. Interconnecting rooms are ideal for families and in whale season (May-November for southern right whales), we recommend a room with sea views so you can whale watch from your own balcony.
This incredible hotel is superbly located on the idyllic Spier Wine Farm – a sprawling haven dedicated to sustainability, conservation and producing truly delicious wines. Boasting beautiful scenic mountain views, the wine farm produces some spectacular award-winning wines. Enjoy a bike or Segway ride through the vineyard, take a fascinating heritage walk through the estate, hold tame eagles at the resort’s conservation projects, or book a wine tasting.
Located in the picturesque Franschhoek Valley, this exclusive retreat is in the heart of South Africa’s food and wine capital. With only 12 rooms and suites, the boutique, friendly feel of this property promises tranquillity and an unrelenting charm. From the Classic Rooms to the Deluxe Room with Terrace, each enchanting retreat has a warm homely feel and offers plenty of space with features like a Nespresso machine and en suite underfloor heating. The neutral tones of the bedroom present a welcoming space, while the black-and-white chequered tiles of the bathrooms add a touch of tradition to this contemporary hotel, with understated but distinct art throughout. Blending the quaint feel of a country guesthouse with the vibrant village life of Franschhoek, there is plenty to see, eat and savour just beyond the doors of the hotel. Complimentary bicycles make it easy to get around or if you’re after a quiet afternoon, you won’t be at a loss with how to spend your time. The friendly communal lounge area offers selected wines and spirits, making this the perfect place to socialise. The food here is sensational, meaning you won’t have to venture out at mealtimes if you’d like to take in your pretty surrounds. Have light meals with a focus on local produce at The Conservatory, where on sunny days you can sit out on the terrace. Guests are welcome to use the facilities and dine at sister properties; Le Quartier Français is five-minute walk away, and it's a five-minute drive to the sprawling Leeu Estates where there's beautiful views and classic wine tasting experiences available – Leeu House guests get one complimentary tasting at Leeu Estates per guest per stay.
At the centre of Stellenbosch’s collection of shops and eateries on Church Street, this boutique heritage hotel is a gem for both character and convenience. A newer extension complements the classic façade, and it’s delightfully quirky within too. Think chandeliers, mismatched chairs and colourful prints in a blend of old and new. Eco-conscious travellers will also be pleased with the hotel’s efforts to recycle waste, generate solar energy and preserve a tree in building the extension – which takes pride of place in the middle of the restaurant and shoots through the roof. The hotel is minutes from the town’s plentiful amenities, but the ambience here is easily suited to spending a few hours with a book and a coffee in the courtyard for longer stays or after exploring town. In the restaurant, you can devour old favourites as well as South African specialities like bobotie, a moussaka-like baked dish of minced meat and egg topping, as well as sample some of Stellenbosch’s famous wines. Spacious and individually designed, rooms are full of character with distinctive prints and exposed brick walls. Comfy Rooms are comfortable and contemporary, while Whimsy Rooms are a natural choice for guests looking to enjoy a more historic setting with high ceilings. Plenty Rooms are the largest, and selected rooms have a patio or furnished balcony.
Surrounded by Franschhoek’s famous vineyards and manicured gardens, this charming Cape Dutch retreat is the quintessential country getaway. While the spacious rooms and grounds create a restful escape, the hotel’s understated style allows the far-reaching vineyard views to take centrestage. Designed with tranquillity in mind, guests can take peaceful walks around the gardens, enjoy High Tea on the terrace or opt for a massage at the plush Camelot Spa. And for shops, restaurants and historical attractions, Franschhoek’s town centre is just a five-minute drive away. Light and airy, La Pavillion is the hotel’s breakfast venue, with generous terrace seating so you can make the most of the beautiful surrounds as you start your day with a delicious buffet. Then choose how to spend your day; with a book by the pool, visiting the shops of Franschhoek or taking a more relaxed approach with a visit to the Camelot Spa. Sauvage, the hotel’s fine dining restaurant, is an excellent choice for indulging in culinary creations paired with South African wines. Rooms are generous in size, featuring twin or king-size beds, underfloor heating and views of the gardens, vineyards or mountains. Standard Rooms are comfortable and light, while Deluxe Rooms are larger and may have a balcony. Suites are larger still, and are furnished with a four-poster king-size bed and have their own balcony. For more privacy, there are the signature thatched-roof Villas which are scattered around the estate. Capturing quaint country style, these one- and two-bedroom Villas are a home-away-from-home in the heart of the Winelands. Families can choose from a standalone Villa, or a Standard Family Room with an additional loft room to sleep up for four in total.
Beyond the unassuming exterior, you’ll find yourself transported into a fairytale manor house at this 30-acre wine estate. Surrounded by fragrant wisteria, grapevines and mountains, the regal French chateau style is a fitting homage to the ‘French corner’ of South Africa. The bold colours, textures and extravagant décor could easily slip into the pages of an interior design magazine. Whether it’s the peacocks that roam freely like elegant mascots or the innovative style within, there’s plenty to feast your eyes on. The service here is unbelievably personalised. The estate is well acquainted with Condé Nast’s prestigious Gold List and Travelers’ Choice Awards, and guests return again and again for the attention to detail that shows as staff anticipate your every need before you do. In the Great Hall, you can dine on seasonal cuisine where a buffet is laid out for breakfast and there’s a popular high tea, or you can drink in Franschhoek’s vineyard views out on the patio. Sample some of the estate’s popular Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz or Rosé, or ask for a tour of the South African art that fills almost every surface of the hotel with over 150 pieces on display. Franschhoek’s excellent restaurants are within easy reach, a 15-minute walk or a short complimentary transfer away. For wine tastings, you can choose to have a relaxed affair or something more spectacular, with options including the famous Franschhoek Wine Tram, a low-key visit to local wineries or a helicopter tour. Each of the suites has a different theme while all are equally palatial – you could wake up to the deep orange of The Tibetan Suite or sink into a bath in the pink marble en suite of The Hibiscus Suite. All furniture has been hand-picked by the owner and there’s original artwork found in every room. Expect chandeliers, palatial beds and huge en suites that centre around a freestanding bath. Suites have varying views of the vineyards or mountains, and for groups and families the Vineyard Suites are a lovely option with one, two or three bedrooms.
Imagine driving through a quaint town and stumbling on an unexpected gem. Among the quaint country offerings that are usually found in lesser-visited Robertson, this hotel easily fills the gap for something bold and daring. There are just 10 suites in this tiny hotel, and the eclectic interiors and standout style have certainly made an impression on its visitors – the reviews are glowing. The on-site Small Restaurant features an equally petite menu, with food that rivals the quality you’d find in popular Franschhoek and Stellenbosch. Two small pools can be found by the garden and The Wellness Room, where guests can enjoy massages and beauty treatments (at extra cost). Service is passionate and thoughtful additions like a complimentary minibar in your suite proves that it’s the little things that make all the difference. There’s an impressive variety of Suites; three are housed in the Manor House, a building originally built in 1909 with National Monument status; four Poolside Suites have direct access to the hotel’s small pool; and three Stable Suites overlook a second pool and features a loft-conversion Honeymoon Suite. Each of the Suites is refreshingly original and features underfloor heating, tea and coffee making facilities and a complimentary minibar including local wine and beers.
A former millionaires’ retreat, Montagu remains a peaceful stopover for those seeking respite and beautiful mountain views on a scenic shortcut along the Garden Route. Epitomising the town’s country charm, Mimosa Lodge is a homely-feel kind of place with focus on amazing cuisine. Its award-winning restaurant is the hotel’s prize possession, where beautifully plated dishes are paired with great local wines – devour four courses of seasonal delights and taste the delicious wines crafted by the lodge with grapes from local vineyards. Rooms are simple and comfortable, with some offering wonderful views of the Langeberg Mountains. Explore the historic town of Montagu at its museums or follow its hiking trails for some fresh air. In keeping with the lodge’s rustic ambience, an honesty bar is available for a strong drink or two and you can refresh yourself in the pool.
Grootbos Nature Reserve, Gansbaai
Mont Rochelle
Lanzerac Hotel & Spa, Stellenbosch
River Manor Boutique Hotel
Abalone Guest Lodge
Spier Hotel, Stellenbosch
Leeu House, Franschhoek
Oude Werf Hotel
Le Franschhoek
La Residence
The Robertson Small Hotel
Mimosa Lodge, Montagu
