Just a short drive east of Cape Town, you’ll find the “French corner”, founded more than 300 years ago (in 1688, to be precise) by a bunch of Huguenots. World famous for its wine-making pedigree, Franschhoek is more than just a viticultural hotspot; it’s an exclusive resort town, offering visitors the perfect weekend escape.
The town’s eminently walkable main street is lined with boutiques, art galleries and world-class restaurants, where some of the country’s top chefs create magic, fusing Cape, French and multicultural cuisine. Go beyond that, and you’ll find renowned wine estates and boutique wineries, and a sprinkling of fynbos-covered mountain slopes with trails aplenty for hikers and mountain bikers.
Babylonstoren
Perfect for garden enthusiasts and lovers of luxe country style.
A delicious taste of idyllic country life: from Provençal-inspired gardens bearing fruit that made the Cape of Good Hope a vital pitstop, to luxurious suites that are replicas of the old farm workers’ cottages, to food fit for the gods, the hotel at Babylonstoren merges world-class comfort with laidback farm style and heritage. As well as the original suites and cottages in the gardens, new Cape Dutch-style cottages and an exclusive-use family house adjoin vineyards and orchards. Explore endless dirt roads on mountain-bikes, row on the dam and soak up a pervasive sense of tranquillity on this picturesque heritage farm between Franschhoek and Paarl.
Insider detail Guests have the gardens to themselves before the gates open and are invited to join the gardeners for the morning harvest and pick their own vegetables and herbs. There is a beautifully curated collection of books in every room – plus wood-burning fireplaces, silky sarongs, umbrellas and sturdy wellies for wandering around the farm.
The lodgings
- 9 Farmhouse Suites (sleep 2), with four-poster king-size bed, ensuite marble bathroom, walk-in cupboard and cast-iron stove
- 13 Garden Cottages (six one-bedroom suites; three one-bedroom cottages and four two-bedroomed cottages), with fireplaces, bookshelves filled with books and kitchen area (except in suites)
- Koornhuis (historical two-bedroom cottage) with book-filled lounge, kitchen and dining area and fireplaces in each bedroom
- Fowl House (one-bedroom cottage) with central kitchen, dining table and fireplace
- 8 Fynbos Cottages (one or two bedrooms), with book-filled shelves, lounge, fireplace and kitchen area
- Manor House and Fynbos Family House (five-bedroom exclusive-use villas)
Things to do onsite
- Babel Restaurant for farm-fresh breakfast, lunch and dinner
- Greenhouse Restaurant for alfresco breakfast, lunch, tea and scones
- The Old Bakery for Italian-inspired meals (Monday, Tuesday, Friday) and Carnivore Evenings (Wednesday + Sunday)
- The Farm Shop, which includes the Milk Room, Coffee Roastery, Gelato Room, Meat Room and Lekker Room
- guided garden tours and farm walks
- guided fishing
- use of bicycles to explore the farm
- swim in the farm dam or outdoor swimming pool
- meet donkeys, chickens, ducks, geese, tortoises and water buffalo on the farm
- wine-tasting centre and wine museum
- regular workshops (from baking to foraging, essential oils and soap-making)
- Garden Spa with seven treatment rooms; tropical rain showers; sauna and steam room; rasul chamber; two hammams; indoor-outdoor pool area with two vitality pools (jacuzzis)
- visit Soetmelksvlei for a living 19th-century farm museum experience
Child friendly? Yes
Pet friendly? No
Wifi? Yes
Cost From R13 910 per night for two people (breakfast included)
Where to find it Babylonstoren Road, Franschhoek
La Petite Ferme
Perfect for a wine farm experience with far-reaching views.
With arguably the best panoramas of the Franschhoek Valley and surrounding mountains, this intimate boutique hotel at La Petite Ferme has always had a decidedly well-heeled reputation, despite its laidback ambience and the one-and-all appeal of its vineyard-facing lawn and glass-fronted restaurant. Perched on the northern slopes of the Franschhoek Mountains, all 15 rooms (characterfully decorated, dressed in gorgeous wallpapers and fabrics and luxe furnishings) boast spellbinding valley and vineyard views.
The lodgings
- 5 Vineyard Suites, with private pools
- 5 Manor House Suites, with a shared pool
- 5 Winery Suites, with a shared pool
- king-size extra-length bed
- ensuite with freestanding bath and walk-in shower
- indoor fireplace (in Vineyard suites and 1 Manor House suite)
- tea/coffee station and minibar with complimentary wine
- smart TV
- private furnished terrace (balcony in Winery suites)
- air-conditioning and underfloor heating
- breakfast included
Things to do onsite
- swim in the pool
- meals at the restaurant
- Friday-night themed chef’s table or wine dinners
- wine-tasting and vineyard tour (included in the rate)
- garden and farm walks
- hiking and mountain-biking trails (bikes provided)
- in-room spa treatments
Good to know There is a minimum two-night stay on weekends. SA resident rates are available on request. The Manor House can be booked for exclusive use.
Child friendly? Yes
Pet friendly? No
Wifi? Yes
Sleeps 2 per suite
Cost Winery Suites: from R9 060 per night
Manor House Suites: from R9 630 per night
Vineyard Suites: from R11 180 per night
Where to find it Franschhoek Pass Road, Franschhoek
Leeu Estates
Perfect for connoisseurs of fine food, wine and art.
On the slopes of the Dassenberg Mountains lies close to a 100-hectare wine farm with sublime views of vineyards, gardens and fynbos – what they call ‘leeuscapes’. It’s an immaculately imagined property devoted to all the finer things in life, filled with art and sculpture, bespoke furniture, a sense of history and deep tranquillity. The individually decorated rooms and suites are dotted all over the estate, in the superbly restored Manor House, Protea House, Max House, Cellar Cottage or Pomegranate Cottage; there are also four cottages in their own private gardens for families and groups who’d like to stay together.
The lodgings
- 12 rooms, 6 suites and 4 cottages
- king-size bed
- ensuite with a rain shower
- seating area and desk with media hub; separate lounge in suites
- wood-burning fireplace (in some rooms and suites)
- private courtyard or patio (in some rooms and suites)
- hot tub and plunge pool (in Manor House Suite and some cottages)
- tea/coffee station with Nespresso machine
- minibar, wine and fruit basket
- air-conditioning and underfloor heating (in some rooms and suites)
Things to do onsite
- walk in the Four Quarters vineyards, on nature trails along the river and on the mountainside
- swim at the two pools
- Leeu Spa with indoor plunge pool
- seasonal meals at The Dining Room (hotel guests only)
- fine dining at La Petite Colombe (including a Chef’s Experience lunch)
- tutored wine tastings at The Wine Studio (guests get a complimentary signature tasting)
- drinks and sundowners in the Manor House bar
- catered picnics or braais around the estate
- Bokkie Garden meditative space
- tours of the herb and vegetable garden
- Everard Read art gallery and sculpture garden
Good to know Max House, Protea House and Cellar Cottage can be booked for exclusive use with an optional private chef.
Child friendly? Yes
Pet friendly? No
Wifi? Yes
Sleeps 2 per room or suite; 2 – 6 per cottage
Cost From R15 500 per room per night
Where to find it Dassenberg Road, Franschhoek
Mont Rochelle
Perfect for guests seeking iconic brand recognition with spectacular views.
Back in 2014 Sir Richard Branson applied his magic touch to a quirky, thatched hotel on hilltop wine estate Mont Rochelle and turned it into an ode to leisure that exudes English country-house vibes. Award-winning wines, two acclaimed restaurants and grandstand views from every angle are yours to explore at will. The lodgings have a luxe but laidback aesthetic, with fun touches (like postcards and stamps): there are rooms tucked into the eaves, with balconies peeking out under the thatch; rooms whose roofs are the main lawns; all offer killer views.
The lodgings
- 4 Shiraz, 6 Merlot + 6 Cabernet rooms
- 4 Pinotage + 2 Cap Classique suites
- king-size bed (or twin beds)
- ensuite with bath and/or shower
- complimentary minibar + tea/coffee station with Nespresso machine
- sitting area or lounge (with fireplace in some suites)
- smart TV, plus Bose sound system (in suites)
- balcony or private terrace
- private plunge pool and garden (Cap Classique suites)
- underfloor heating
- breakfast at Miko included
Things to do onsite
- swim in the heated pool
- walk in the gardens and vineyards
- wine-tasting (complimentary for guests); with food pairings or nibbles
- casual meals at The Country Kitchen
- elegant dining at Miko
- winemaker’s dinner with a cellar tour (on selected dates)
- gourmet picnics next to the dam
- floodlit astroturf tennis court
- boules, croquet and other lawn games
- spa treatments and hammam
Good to know The secluded Manor House (sleeps 8 adults and 6 children) can be hired for exclusive use. The hotel is a Wine Tram stop plus there are regular shuttles into town.
Child friendly? Yes (in suites)
Pet friendly? No
Wifi? Yes
Sleeps 2 (+ 2 children in suites)
Cost Rooms: from R8 730 per night
Suites: from R19 985 per night
Where to find it Dassenberg Road, Franschhoek
Ludus Magnus
Perfect for sports lovers who want to relax (and train) in style.
Named after an Ancient Roman gladiator training school, this five-star, off-grid property in the Franschhoek winelands is home to an eye-watering array of activities. The project of a French-Italian couple well-versed in luxury and hospitality, the idea is to offer world-class training facilities for sporty guests on holiday, including a 400m running track and dam with 50m training lanes. An ultra-modern Manor House with eight rooms plus three private villas are decorated with bold flourishes, while outdoors there are wide-open spaces for play, a dam complete with white-sand island, a shiraz vineyard and orchards with every kind of fruit imaginable.
The lodgings
- 8 Manor House rooms, with king-size bed and ensuite with shower
- private balcony (upstairs rooms) or pool terrace access (downstairs)
- TV, minibar + tea/coffee station with Nespresso machine
- communal pizza oven and braai area
- shared lounge and dining area
- communal pool deck with loungers
- 3 Luxury Villas, with three ensuite bedrooms, fully equipped kitchen, living room, dining room, and two terraces, each with a private pool
- breakfast included
Things to do onsite
- chill on riverside deck
- walks, runs and hikes around the property
- lunch or dinner in the dining room, boma, riverside deck or island
- picnics and braais
- mobile spa treatments
- jacuzzi sessions
- swim in the pool or dam
- river tubing and kayaking
- rugby, soccer or other games on the sports field
- bike pump track
- pony rides
- visit the rescue animals and feed the donkeys
- kids’ treehouse and zipline
- helicopter trips (helipad on site)
Good to know There is a professional butler on hand at the Manor House, plus a private chef on request. Guests can book either the Manor House, or the entire estate, for exclusive use.
Child friendly? Yes
Pet friendly? No
Wifi? Yes
Sleeps 2 (Manor House rooms); 6 (Villas)
Cost Manor House rooms: from R10 500 per night
Villas: from R28 750 per night
Minimum three-night stay
Where to find it Two Rivers Farm, off R45, Wemmershoek, Franschhoek
Boschendal
Perfect for families and groups wanting space with wine-farm amenities on hand.
One of the Cape’s oldest wine estates, dating back to 1685, Boschendal boasts some of the most beautiful surrounds in the Cape Winelands, with historic architecture, expansive lawns and dramatic mountain vistas. In addition to award-winning soil-to-fork food and wine offerings, the estate has a vast array of beautiful accommodation blending contemporary furnishings with rural charm. An abundance of activities await, from outdoor adventures and farm tours to picnics and special pop-ups like a night market in summer. If you’re self-catering, you can pick up delicious supplies at the Farm Shop & Butchery.
The lodgings
- 4 Werf Garden Suites + 3 Werf Garden Studios, with ensuite bathroom, kitchenette, plus shared pool
- 3 Clarence Cottages, with two or three ensuite bedrooms, kitchen, living area with fireplace, private patio or verandah
- 14 Orchard Cottages (2km from main werf), with one, two, three or four ensuite bedrooms, kitchen, living area with fireplace, outdoor dining area and braai, plus shared pool
- 18 Retreat Cottages (3.5km from main werf), with two bedrooms, two bathrooms, kitchen, lounge with fireplace, outdoor dining area and braai, plus shared eco pool and large lawn (this area on the farm also
- includes a restaurant, screening room, communal lounge and a variety of meeting rooms)
- Cottage 1685 (3.8km from main werf; dog-friendly), with five bedrooms (two in garden annex), four bathrooms, kitchen, living area with fireplace, large verandah, outside dining under the oaks, eco-friendly swimming pool
- Cow Shed Cottage (5km from main werf; requires a high-clearance vehicle) with two ensuite bedrooms, open-plan kitchen, dining area and lounge with fireplace, patio with braai
- Mountain Villa (4.1km from main werf), with six bedrooms, four bathrooms, fully equipped kitchen, two lounges, wrap-around terrace, outside bar area, braai, pizza oven, large swimming pool, gardens and private lake
- air-conditioning and ceiling fans
- breakfast and some farm activities included
Things to do onsite
- wine-tastings and pairings
- casual dining at The Deli and Retreat Restaurant
- breakfast canapés with wine at the Cellar Door
- picnics
- farm walks and hiking trails (including guided hikes)
- mountain-biking and pump track (bikes to rent)
- guided horse-riding
- food garden tour
- Tree House outdoor edu-play experience for kids
- Friday night market (in summer)
- Saturday Wine and Wander Safari (in summer)
Good to know Fully self-catering accommodation is available in four Farmhouses (sleep 8–10 each) spread across the property. All have hot tubs and one has a swimming pool.
The farm is a Wine Tram stop.
Child friendly? Yes
Pet friendly? No (except for Cottage 1685)
Wifi? Yes
Sleeps 2 – 12
Cost From R5 520 per night (for one-bedroom Orchard Cottage) in high season.
Where to find it Pniel Road (R310), Franschhoek
Click HERE to see the full list.