Description
Crown jewel of the Leeu group’s burgeoning Franschhoek empire, this 17-room hotel and winery blends five-star credentials with a setting to die for. Just a few minutes outside Franschhoek village, the 68 hillside hectares – oaks, olive trees, sculpture-dotted gardens, deer herds, pomegranate orchards – afford vintage vistas of the picturesque river valley and faraway peaks. At their heart is a classic Manor House, while top-notch spa facilities, fine-dining and a whizzy wine-tasting space all beg for attention.
Accommodation
Uniformly sophisticated, the rooms and suites each boast curated artworks and opulent marble bathrooms. Six are in the Manor House, with two adjacent; the remaining 11 are spread between three cottages in the grounds. Many have private terraces, and all enjoy idyllic views. Most affordable are Classic Rooms, with Executive Suites top of the range.
Facilities
Where to start? The vineyard-set Leeu Spa is a polished sanctuary of three treatment rooms, a gym, a 15-metre heated infinity pool, yoga classes and Asian-hailing massages and facials. Nearby is Bokkie Garden, with life-sized bronze works by acclaimed sculptors Angus Taylor and Deborah Bell. A dining terrace leads up to the Manor House, where innovative global fare is also served in a beautiful Dining Room. Strictly for slumping is The Reading Room, and its board games, books, wood-burning fireplace and vineyard views.
Activities
Sample Leeu’s own tipples, overseen by award-winning vintners Chris and Andrea Mullineux, within a bespoke new Wine Studio. Each guest is entitled to a free tasting. Other pursuits include walking the estate’s meandering nature trails and hiring complimentary bicycles to explore the surrounding area. Free transfers serve Franschhoek village, where sister venues – including Leeu House and a trendy new microbrewery – abut internationally-acclaimed restaurants and attractive shops.
Child Policy
Only children aged 12 and over are accepted. Family groups can book an entire cottage for extra space.
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.
