Best hotels in Cape Winelands

You'll find La Clé in the enchanting Franschhoek Valley amidst plum orchards and sprawling gardens. Surrounded by imposing mountains in a valley threaded with vineyards, the area is an ideal destination for nature lovers with a taste for wine; keen gastronomes will also be delighted with the town's competitive foodie scene and top-notch restaurants. The lodge itself is a five-bedroom home with traditional, Cape Dutch inspired architecture, and can either be booked exclusively or on a per-room basis. The estate is also home to four other private villas that also offer unique accommodation options. Peaceful gardens between the properties give you space to wander and plenty of privacy during your stay.

The newly founded Leeu Collection is taking the Winelands by storm, and we can see why. Inside the walls of Leeu Estates, just outside Franschhoek, you'll find decadent accommodation in a selection of pretty cottages and elegant houses, top-notch fine-dining and an impressive art collection, all surrounded by stunning gardens and overlooked by the towering Dassenberg Mountains. And that's not all - there's an award-winning spa, heated infinity pool and contemporary wine tasting studio and, if you can drag yourself away, complimentary transfers into nearby Franschhoek village. We can't think of much else that would make it better...

Tucked away in Franschhoek, just off the main road, is La Rive, a tranquil haven in this fair heart of the Cape Winelands. The thatched villa marries colonial English and traditional Dutch/Afrikaans heritage beautifully in its design, with all mod cons for convenience. The warm and homely atmosphere, large and lovely interiors – and 5 bedrooms – make this the perfect retreat for a family or group of friends. For the duration of your stay, the villa, its gardens and pool (perfect for lazy dips after wine-tasting tours) and staff are for your sole use. Welcome to the Winelands!

The stylish, intimate and comfortable Akademie Street Boutique Hotel and Guesthouse is situated on a leafy road in Franschhoek, one of the most stunning valleys in the world, and the food and wine capital of South Africa. With just six unique cottages and suites set on a beautiful property, you can be assured of personalised service from the family-owned and managed, five-star, luxury guest house and boutique hotel, rated the best small hotel and the best luxury hotel in the world on Tripadvisor.com. This is the ideal place to relax in luxury, while still enjoying the home-away-from home feeling.

Maison Chablis is a serene Georgian-style guesthouse, well-situated only a block from Franschhoek high street’s stylish boutiques, many of the region's award-winning restaurants, and the ever popular wine tram. If you're looking for some serious R&R, the Maison caters for that too, and you'll enjoy the pretty garden and peaceful swimming pool area. It's also an extremely well-priced abode for the exclusive Cape Winelands area, but standards are as high as they should be and the overall experience, top-notch.

Experience art, food and wine – the best of both valley and village on your doorstep. With an upstairs loft perfect for young ones under 12, this villa is the perfect exclusive-use holiday home for multigenerational get togethers. Complete with breakfast and a butler to cater to your needs at the villa, sit back and slow down for an indulgent vacation in the winelands. Everyday cares slip away as you settle into your light and airy homestead. With sociability and song set in the walls, Grange has a rich history. Formerly a village barn turned lively restaurant and jazz bar, the building has been converted with soaring poplar-beamed ceilings and indulgent double-sided fireplaces. Your every comfort is catered to in the open-plan kitchen, dining and lounge areas, which opens onto a laidback terrace. Breathtaking views overlook the pool to the vineyards and mountains beyond and three separate bedroom suites open onto a second terrace, at the far side of the house, ensuring plenty of space to spread out and enjoy.

This villa offers the perfect harmony between historic charm and modern refinement. Be transported to a world where time dissolves at Manoir with its book-lined library, lounge and candle-scented reception rooms, and farmhouse kitchen. Breakfast is served in a beautiful sun room with French doors opening to the back garden and pool. Complete with a dining room fit for a banquet and fully-equipped kitchen-scullery, your villa is cool in summer and wonderfully snug in winter. Manoir is an exquisite example of the traditional Cape Dutch architecture of the Western Cape and French linens, antiques, unexpected furnishings, and muted colours compliment the charming character.

Book this exclusive-use villa for the perfect escape in the winelands. Guest are invited to unlock the secrets to living like a local in Franschhoek. At La Clé, they want you to feel that their home is your home during your stay. A short walk from the village, the French-accented retreat has a working vineyard, orchards and lavender-flecked gardens, located in the heart of Franschhoek village. Loved by extended families and groups of friends, Domain’s light and airy interiors combine the purity of African colour with vibrant Moroccan style. All three suites lead out to a traditional farmhouse verandah with uninterrupted views over the pool to the mountains and vineyards. For those travelling in larger groups, inquire about the twin bedroom that connects to the far end of the villa and opens out onto the back terrace.

Scattered across Sterrekopje’s 50-hectare farm are 11 Sanctuaries, each a private retreat that’s rejuvenating yet calming, eclectic yet serene. Everything here has been carefully curated to foster deep restorative sleep and inspire gentle contemplation and creativity. You’ll find beauty in every detail of their Sanctuaries, each of which is filled with a precious collection of one-of-a-kind art and furniture from some of their favourite destinations around the world. Four-poster beds from Kenya are topped with hypoallergenic mattresses and your choice of natural linens or Egyptian cotton. Hand-carved trunks have travelled the world from India, and elaborate murals have been masterfully painted by local artisans. Just like the guests, no two rooms are the same. A stay at Sterrekopje captures the senses, nurtures the soul, and invigorates the body. Created by a family of holistic practitioners, the rituals and daily Farm Rhythms are inspired by the purity of nature and the wisdom of our ancestors. Embark on a Journey to slow down, recenter, and reconnect—with yourself, with others, and with Mother Earth.