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The Winelands, South Africa

Franschhoek Country House and Villas

Gallic Countryside Charm meets the Western Cape

A luxury hotel trapped inside a restored 19th-century countryside manor and former perfumery, Franschhoek Country House and Villas is where Old World charm meets the modern elegance and comfort of the New World.

Quiet, groomed gardens of lavender are bordered by small box hedges, stone balustrades, gurgling fountains and neoclassical pillars with arches that drip with pretty foliage. All this surrounds a traditional sand-coloured house with steel blue painted shutters and lit by Victorian-style street lamps which bathe the property in a wonderful warm glow at night.

If the décor doesn’t quite remove you to Provence, the fantastic modern French cuisine by the hotel’s Monneaux restaurant certainly will. Lunch is a la carte and served in the gardens, and during the evening it’s set in the informal dining room.

All the rooms are individually decorated, very spacious and reflect contemporary comfort fused with more classical trappings of hand-painted furniture, four poster beds, embroidered Percale cotton bed linen, and most have their own private balconies. There are six standard deluxe rooms in the manor house and five luxury rooms located in a separate building which have their own private balconies, fireplaces and underfloor heating. The two garden cottages with private patios and superb views of the vineyards and mountains are perfect for families with small children, whereas the 100m² villas suites with their own lounges and two balconies are ideal for honeymooners or couples.

The views from the hotel also call for mentioning, for the picturesque vineyards and rolling pastures framed by the imposing Stellenbosch mountain ridge is quite an exquisite setting.

Pamper yourself at the Spa with a range of treatments including massages, reflexology, facials, manicures, pedicures and signature treatments. The perfect way to relax and unwind.

Highlights

Food and wine tours

Golf (many a course to choose from)

Horse riding in the mountains

Bicycling

Hiking

Hot Air Balooning

Paragliding

Day trip to beaches

Trips to Franschoek that include local galleries, boutiques, shopping, musuems and more

Fourteen rooms (six standard, five luxury, two cottages)

14 rooms (6 standard, 5 luxury, 2 cottages)

Monneaux Restaurant

Bar

Two swimming pools

2 swimming pools

Spa treatments

Complimentary transfers into town

Bicycle rental

WiFi

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Trip Inspiration

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Plan your trip to South Africa

Whatever you want from your adventure in South Africa, our team of expert travel designers are ready to help.

Places to combine Franschhoek Country House and Villas with

Azura Marlin Beach

Mozambique

Azura Marlin Beach

Azura Marlin Beach is located on the shores of Benguerra Island in Mozambique. The resort’s ten beautifully designed villas blend local craftsmanship with contemporary elegance, creating a seamless harmony between nature and comfort. Choose from beach villas and beach villa grandes or indulge in the exclusivity of villa vista, a spacious private sanctuary featuring two separate suites, a large pool and an expansive entertainment area, ideal for families or friends travelling together. Each villa is curated for both seclusion and connection, with open-air living spaces. The soft ocean breeze drifts through private terraces, while personal plunge pools offer a secluded oasis to bask in the sun. 

Thoughtfully designed public areas maximise sweeping views over the Indian Ocean, providing tranquil spaces to relax, dine and take in the beauty of the island. Mornings begin with freshly prepared breakfasts overlooking the water, followed by leisurely afternoons spent poolside, where the sun-drenched deck invites deep relaxation. Evenings unfold with elegant candlelit dinners beneath the starry night, the soft glow of lanterns illuminating the beachfront setting. For a taste of Mozambican tradition, the lively weekly beach bbq is a guest favourite, offering an immersive experience of grilled seafood, local specialties and storytelling under the open sky.

Two Mile Reef, one of the region’s most pristine snorkelling and diving sites, reveals an underwater world of breathtaking colour and movement, where manta rays sweep gracefully through the depths and rare marine species make their home among the corals. PADI 5-Star certified scuba diving excursions, led by expert instructors, offer a deeper glimpse into this extraordinary ecosystem, while deep-sea fishing expeditions provide the thrilling opportunity to seek out the legendary black marlin that the Bazaruto Archipelago is renowned for.

The resort’s open-air treehouse spa provides a haven of rejuvenation, where skilled therapists use traditional African oils and balms to melt away tension.

Wilderness Magashi Peninsula

Rwanda

Wilderness Magashi Peninsula

Wilderness Magashi Peninsula is the sister property of Wilderness Magashi Camp, an exclusive retreat in the heart of Akagera National Park in Rwanda that offers an immersive safari experience. Set within a private concession on the shores of Lake Rwanyakazinga, with the Mutumba Mountains rising in the distance, this eight-bed camp is designed for those seeking unparalleled privacy and connection to nature. Here, the vast landscapes of open plains, acacia woodlands, shimmering lakes and rolling grasslands form the backdrop to extraordinary wildlife encounters. Akagera is a conservation success story, home to one of Africa’s most diverse ecosystems. Over 500 bird species fill the air with their calls, while elephants wade in the lake and hippos bask along its banks.

The camp comprises a stunning four-bed villa and two twin suites, each elevated to maximise the panoramic views over the lake. Private plunge pools invite moments of quiet reflection and the villa’s multi-purpose room is adaptable as a gym, office or family space. Personalised in-villa dining and a dedicated private guide transform each stay into a deeply personal journey, allowing you to explore the wilderness at your own pace. Embark on a morning game drive, glide silently through the waterways on a boating safari or set out on a guided nature walk.

Rooted in sustainability and inspired by Rwanda’s rich culinary heritage, the menu features fresh, local ingredients. Start the day with a signature ‘rolex’ breakfast wrap, a beloved Rwandan street food specialty, and end it with a Kugisha dinner, a communal feast accompanied by traditional storytelling and song.

As with all Wilderness camps, conservation and community engagement are at the heart of Magashi Peninsula. In partnership with the Akagera Management Company, Wilderness supports vital initiatives such as predator monitoring, invasive plant management and educational programs designed to inspire the next generation of conservationists. Magashi Peninsula builds upon this legacy, ensuring that both wildlife and local communities thrive side by side.

Ariel view of waves breaking on a forested shoreline