Spier Hotel

Old and new are beautifully combined here. The reception, main lounge, bar, terrace and restaurant each connect to the old farmhouse – a space of high-beamed ceilings and large breezeways, interleading glass doors, vibrant textiles and loads of hand-selected modern art pieces. And yet, there's nothing overwhelming; everything is discreet and relaxing. Sit outside on the sunny patio gazing at the vineyards, drape a blanket on the lawn for a picnic or snuggle up to a massive hearth.

​Accommodation is in clusters of cottages set around pretty courtyards. This layout makes the 80-room hotel feel intimate, no matter how full. Rooms vary in size and price – those on the ground floor have French doors opening to the garden; those above face the mountain. Premium rooms have a second-storey terrace or a private patio overlooking the river; and the family suite sleeps four. All units have king-sized beds and large, fully equipped en-suite bathrooms.

​Proximity to Cape Town makes Spier an ideal day trip, but book a stay to discover this gem. Order a packed picnic, with the finest charcuterie, cheese, bread, olives, handmade pies, and more. A plate from Vadas Smokehouse and Bakery means succulent barbecue and sides. Spier's eponymous restaurant, open for all meals, offers traditional family cuisine with a fresh twist. Replete? Take a walk, a guided segway tour, or get close to rescued raptors at Eagle Encounters (Spier's avian sanctuary).