Top five hotels
The Cape Winelands comprises of historic towns and century old Cape Dutch wine farms that nestle between the West Coast and Overberg Region of the Western Cape; including Stellenbosch, Drakenstein, Somerset West and the Breede River Valley. The Cape Winelands is internationally recognised for producing some of the world’s best wines, thanks to the surrounding mountains that provide the perfect grape-growing conditions.
A visit to the Cape Winelands is not just about touring through world-class wineries but dining in top restaurants and enjoying a range of outdoor activities such as wine trams, butterfly tours, strawberry picking, hiking, cheetah interactions, segway tours, mountain biking and horse riding. There is something for everyone in the Cape Winelands and one day is simply just not enough!
It is for this reason that one should stay in the Cape Winelands for a few days to truly experience the best of the region. To ensure that you have a memorable stay, we have put together a list of the five top hotels in the Cape Winelands.
Le Franschhoek Hotel & Spa nestles in the “Gourmet Capital” of Franschhoek, only a short 20 minute drive from Stellenbosch and the town of Paarl. This charming Cape Dutch hotel boasts breathtaking views of the beautiful Franschhoek Mountains and exceptional facilities that cater to the needs of couples and families – from an award-winning spa to a terrace bar and fine dining restaurant.
The hotel welcomes couples and families, offering 79 rooms & suites, as well as 18 well-appointed villas that overlook the mountains and manicured gardens.
The Cape-Dutch Delaire Graff Estate offers one of the most luxurious vineyard experiences, boasting a state-of-the-art winery that produces award-winning wines and ten beautifully appointed lodges that overlook the vineyards and Stellenbosch Valley. The hotel prides itself on offering a genuine South African hospitality and a tranquil place for guests to rejuvenate the mind, body and soul.
Each lodge has oversized beds, marble bathrooms, floor to ceiling windows and a private sundeck with heated plunge pool. Every guest has access to the lodge bar, cinema, restaurant, spa and Techno gym.
Babylonstoren is a unique farmstead that spans across eight acres of the Franschhoek Valley. Flanked by the Franschhoek mountains and surrounded by vineyards and beautiful gardens, Babylonstoren is a contemporary Cape-Dutch style hotel and working wine farm.
Dating back to 1692, some of the farm’s earliest structures remain on the farm today, making it one of the best-preserved farmyards in the Cape. The accommodation ranges from one and two bedroom cottages to farmhouse suites and an exclusive-use Manor House. The experience at Babylonstoren is incredible, with wine tastings, tea rituals and exceptional farm to table dining experiences.
Grand Roche is a beautifully restored 18th-century Cape-Dutch hotel that nestles at the foot of Paarl Rock and is surrounded by orchards and vineyards. Priding themselves on luxurious accommodation, exceptional service and decadent cuisine; Grande Roche is the only member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World.
The suites are exquisitely decorated and spacious, boasting en-suite bathrooms, air-conditioning, under-floor heating, tea & coffee making facilities, luxury bathroom amenities, satellite television and complimentary wireless internet. The facilities are world-class and include a restaurant, bistro, gym, two tennis courts and a health centre with sauna, steam room and heated swimming pool.
La Residence Hotel is luxury at its best: a private award-winning estate in the heart of the picturesque Franschhoek Valley. The 30-acre estate is flanked by the Franschhoek mountains and has its very own vineyard. Scattered around the estate are 16 rooms and suites that have a unique interior and colour scheme. The vineyard suites are a particular favourite for families, accommodating up to six people in a private area of the estate.
La Residence offers its guests an opportunity to sample the hotels wines and other top wines, savour sumptuous cuisine and enjoy the very best experiences on offer in Franschhoek. The hotel provides complimentary transfers to the centre of town so that guests can visit the local shops and restaurants or take one of the trams to various surrounding wineries.
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