La Residence occupies a 30-acre estate in the Franschhoek Valley, ringed by mountains and planted with vineyards and plum orchards, a few minutes from Franschhoek, a small town known for its restaurants and wine estates. It belongs to The Royal Portfolio, and its interiors are a bold, collected mix of French antiques, silks, chandeliers and colour, at their grandest in the Great Hall. Stays come in three forms. The hotel suites, of around 90 to 100 square metres with valley or vineyard views, are for adults and children over 10. The Vineyard Suites, in one, two and three bedrooms, have their own gardens and, in the larger ones, heated private pools, and welcome children of any age. Franschhoek House, a six-bedroom villa for up to 12, comes with its own host and chef. Meals change with the seasons and draw on the estate's working farm, with a sommelier's list of Cape wines, and high tea is a fixture. Beyond the pool and spa treatments, days go to wine tastings across the valley, cycling, hiking, golf, galleries and helicopter flights.
- Nearest airport
- Cape Town International Airport (CPT), 30 Miles / 48 Kilometres
- Rooms
- 11 hotel suites, Vineyard Suites and a six-bedroom villa
Insider tip Rooms that are free during your stay are often left with their doors open, so take a walk and look into the others; each is decorated differently.
Why I choose it It is the most complete stay in the Winelands, with suites for couples, family suites with pools and a six-bedroom villa on one private estate.