About
Buried amid the plum orchards, vineyards and impeccable gardens of a 30-acre farm, La Residence is as exotic as Franschhoek hotels come. From marble floors to vaulted ceilings, it balances homely Tuscan touches with international flamboyance: hence the loggias and fine fabrics, the Rajasthani chandeliers and huge, gilt mirrors, the Persian rugs and modernist sculptures. The setting is equally regal, with gulp-inducing vistas over the undulating Franschhoek Valley and stark mountains beyond.
Accommodation
Within the main hotel are 11 gorgeous, giant rooms whose en-suites alone dwarf most hotel rooms. Intended for couples, each chamber centres around a four-poster bed, and comes with a valley-facing patio or private balcony. Superior Rooms have slightly more space and better views. Better for groups or families are five vivid Vineyard Suites (sleeping 2-6), spaced out among the Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes along with lounges and private dining terraces, they share a communal terrace room, where meals are served by the pool.
Facilities
The main house contains a library, bar, typically baronial lounge and ceremonial, candlelit banquet room, plus an open-plan kitchen where guests often chit-chat with chefs over a hot chocolate. Outside, beyond the rose-lined terrace and a palm-flecked courtyard, is a scenic infinity pool, and then the fragrant estate, around which one can amble and daydream. Spa treatments can be booked for one’s room or balcony.
Activities
If you can bear to leave, La Residence can arrange golf, trout fishing, paragliding, helicopter trips, hot-air ballooning or horse-rides around surrounding vineyards. Walking and wine tastings are also available. And restaurant safaris: whereas other Royal Portfolio properties are ‘full board’, La Residence offers bed-and-breakfast rates so you can try some of South Africa’s finest restaurants in Franschhoek village.
Child Policy
Children over 10 are welcome at the hotel, while children of all ages are welcome in the Vineyard Suites.
The Best of South Africa Travel map displays the locations of the destinations and accommodation that we have selected and visited; for each item, hovering over or clicking the marker will display a short summary and photo of that place or hotel, and hotel pricing. Follow the links in the info box to the full page listing which has much more information.
Note that the online map offers both a satellite view (click satellite in the top right) and, for some locations, a street level view (Drag the person in the top left onto the map). These let you explore the country; and when you wish to explore in person, or if you have any questions about the places you see, give our staff a call, or request a quote. Our staff regularly visit the places and accommodation that we feature.
When you book a holiday with us we will provide full driving instructions for reaching your accommodation, where necessary; these can be used by yourself, or you could enjoy the luxury of a driver. Alternatively we will arrange private (car rather than coach) transfers for you; helicopter transfers are also possible for some destinations.
Best family holiday we’ve ever had.
Rob Willsdon who stayed here in April 2017.
La Residence, Franschhoek has been rated 1 time, with an overall rating of 5.00 out of 5.
