Description
Where most Winelands farmstays are on vineyard estates, Lavender Farm offers a more fragrant, graceful and, well, purple alternative. Situated in fairytale style next to a large Provençal-style lavender plantation just outside Franschhoek town, its 14 rooms and suites are distinctly sensual. They come supported by a pool and dining room, but eyes are are always drawn to those mauve fields, which stretch away to the mountain horizon.
Accommodation
There are four categories to choose between. Most affordable are the two Manor Rooms (14 and 15), whose patio doors face the pool and lawn beyond. Ditto five of the Luxury Suites, (1-3, 9 and 10) which also throw in grape-vine pergola and patios. Another pair (numbers 11 and 12) are found inside the original Cape Dutch-style farmhouse, and have their own rose and lavender gardens – but less space. Luxury View Suites also guarantee a private veranda facing the lavender fields, and so do the bigger-still Honeymoon Suites, as well as king-size beds, private gardens, verandahs, bathtubs and mini-bars. All rooms are air-conditioned and decorated with restrained style; only suites have wi-fi.
Facilities
The unheated pool is amply sized, and looks over the lavender fields. Guests can sip home-produced J’aime Lavande’ Methode Cap Classique (South African champagne) beside a giant acacia tree or inside the farmhouse’s dining room. Excellent breakfasts are also served here – including the scrumptious Eggs Benedict.
Activities
Residents are seen relaxing on the lawn with a bottle of wine or playing cards at an iron table beside that Acacia tree. The cobbled courtyard’s pétanque court is popular too, while lovebirds tend to descend into the fields and take one-off photographs. Staff can arrange wine tours and tastings, horse-riding trips and spa sessions and restaurant reservations in Franschhoek.
Child Policy
All children are welcome, and babysitting can be arranged.
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.
