Pearl Valley Hotel

Guests generally head for the spacious clubhouse, with its roomy fireside lounges, sunny sitting areas and collection of tiered outdoor spaces. It's the hub for recreation, leisurely or strenuous, and where everyone cools off in one of the many pools. There are two restaurants, one at the clubhouse and the other, The Valley, offering a fine-dining menu. The Camelot Spa offers treatments galore, and L’Huguenot Vinoteque is a gorgeous wine cellar – linger here to sample some boutique creations.

Accommodation, all top quality, is set in complexes, each with a small plunge pool that's shared by guests. Connected by concrete pathways and separated by lawns, the suites feel rather apartment-like with their small kitchenettes and furnished porches. But the interiors are spacious and light, and as comfortable as can be, with air-conditioning and satellite TV, and superb furnishings. Twenty-three are single-bedroom suites, seven offer two-bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms, and one is especially designed to be wheelchair-friendly.

Take your sporty pick: golf, polo, tennis, cricket, pétanque, horseback riding or splashing in the pool. There's also an extensive web of trails crisscross the estate – perfect for your early-morning run or cycle. But make sure you venture beyond the estate to explore the region. Quaint Franschhoek village is a delight of wineries, gourmet dining, art galleries, museums and boutiques. Paarl and Stellenbosch boast equally impressive vineyards/restaurants. It's your chance to get down to the important business of wine-tasting.