On the outskirts of Franschhoek, sits the beautiful Franschhoek Country House & Villas which is a restored manor house and former perfumery dating back to 1890. Countryside appeal mixed with an old world charm, this boutique hotel wows from check-in to check-out. 

On offer are 14 standard and luxury rooms and 12 luxurious Villa Suites which are dotted around a stunning property with manicured gardens. Rambling roses and lavender, urns filled with fresh lemons from their own lemon trees plus water features and trickling fountains at every corner all help to create a magical feeling. Last week I was lucky enough to enjoy a two night getaway in one of the Villa Suites which felt more like a luxury apartment than a typical hotel room. Complete with lounge and fireplace, bedroom with four poster, en-suite bathroom with free standing tub and two private balconies, this spacious suite is an absolute treat.

Breakfast is served upstairs and includes an impressive buffet with a selection of cold meats, cheeses, cereals, fruits and pastries plus there’s the option to order a hot breakfast too.

Their in-house restaurant, Monneaux, is open to the public and serves lunch out on the terrace and dinner indoors in the manor house. The terrace area is really lovely and I’m already looking forward to enjoying a leisurely lunch here in the warmer months. Their menu consists of ‘small plates’ and they recommend that you choose three to five dishes each. There is also a three or five course set menu but I definitely recommend the Petite Assiette menu. All of the dishes we tried were plated beautifully with such attention to detail and the tastes were out of this world. Topped off with warm and incredible service, a visit to Monneaux is a definite must.

With a shared lounge area, two swimming pools (one heated) and an on-site spa for further pampering, one really doesn’t need to go anywhere else at all. Then again Franschhoek does have an abundance of world class wine estates and restaurants which would be a waste not to explore. Getting into town is an easy 15 minute walk or you can make use of the hotel’s complimentary shuttle service. Even better though… jump onto one of their gorgeous bikes which makes exploring the village that much easier. There’s also the Franschhoek Wine Tram for Hop-on Hop-off wine tours and a little wine indulging.

Apart from the 5 star service, luxury and comfort, I really enjoyed the peace and quiet and all the greenery – a wonderful retreat away from the hustle and bustle of the city. 

PS Franschhoek Country House & Villas is running a ‘Local is Lekker’ winter special for all South African residents. Take a look here.

All photography by Lana Kenney © (with the exception of the plated prawns image)

My stay was courtesy of Franschhoek Country House & Villas. As always, the opinions and thoughts shared are my own.

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