Cape Town, South Africa, and the surrounding Cape Winelands are simply magnetizing. A recent visit brought us back to two longtime favorites, Lanzerac and Cellars-Hohenort, and introduced us to two more, Monument House and Leeu Estates. As always, it was essential to stop off for lunch at The Silo for the décor, the food and the view.
Lanzerac 1692 Hotel & Spa, located five minutes from Stellenbosch, is a gracious, centuries-old winery, with an oak-lined drive and gardens stretching to the vineyards. Lanzarac was the first winery to produce pinotage commercially, which it first bottled in 1959, the same year the hotel opened.
The imposing white-washed Manor House centers the property, which has 53 bedrooms and suites. The rooms are tucked into shaded buildings, while the private villas are secluded with their own pools. There are several bars and restaurants, including the Manor Kitchen, which has both indoor and outdoor seating. Advisors can contact Lourensia Parr (marketing@lanzerac.co.za; +27-078-125-1641), marketing manager.
The Courtyard area contains 15 rooms, with a private shaded pool and garden. No. 010 is a luxury room with both bedroom and living space, along with a large bathroom and a walk-in closet. The Cellars building offers 15 suites, with separate living rooms, as well as separate bathtubs and showers in the bathrooms.
Of the private cottages, the largest is No. 208, with a private plunge pool and gazebo. There is a large bedroom with seating and a huge bathroom. (We’ve suggested that an extra coat closet be transformed into a half bath, as that would make this suite just about perfect).
Room No. 508, near the main villa, is a corner junior suite with a private terrace and lots of light, while room No. 504 is a light-filled upstairs room lined with windows with a large bathroom.
The Spa has seven new treatment rooms, two of them for couples; an indoor heated pool, a jacuzzi and two Rasul chambers. There are 10 different facials on the menu, along with a variety of other treatments.
Aside from wine tastings, guests may go on bike rides, hikes, enjoy the spa, or visit the nearby mountains.
Leeu Estates, in the Franschhoek Valley, is a part of Analjit Singh’s Leeu Collection, which includes Le Quartier Francais and Leeu House, both in charm-filled Franschhoek village. Leeu Estates is a five-star premium property with a 24-room country house, a spa and a boutique winery. The views are spectacular. Contact Mbachi Kamwendo (mbachi.kamwendo@leeucollection.com), marketing coordinator for assistance in booking Leeu Estates; Nelson Mawena (nelsonmawena@gmail.com) is GM of the Leeu Collection.
At Leeu Estates, every room has underfloor heating and rain showers. The Manor House Suite is about 238 square feet, with a separate living room, hot tub, fireplace, fire pit and private access to the spa. There is a group of cottages, which offer privacy and manicured outdoor spaces. The newest is the Oaks, surrounded by vineyards and reached by a private drive. This could be a good choice for a family or two couples traveling together. Within 1,000 square feet there are two bedrooms with showers, a living space, and terrace with hot tub. The Cellar, located within the original wine cellar, is 2,000 square feet and includes an executive suite with terrace, a deluxe room, and a living room with two terraces. There is a full kitchen and guests may arrange for a private chef.
A larger family or friends’ group might choose Protea House, which includes an executive suite with terrace, two additional bedrooms, a living room with fireplace and a dining room. There is a kitchen and a private chef may be arranged. Outside there is a private pool and guest house overlooking the Franschhoek Valley.
Leeu Estates has partnered with well-regarded vintners Andreas and Chris Mullineux and together they have won Best Wines in South Africa a record five times.
Monument House is an exceptional new boutique property (2022) in Franschhoek, developed and owned by Wendy Smith, Janet Leslie and Wendy’s husband, Nishan Weerasinghe. Internationally known designer Wendy and marketing guru Nishan live on the property. The trio has proven that neon bright colors and modernity can balance Cape Dutch-inspired architecture.
Monument House sleeps up to 18 adults (aged 18-plus) in one three-bedroom villa, two two-bedroom villas and two one-bedroom turret suites, all arranged around a black and white checkered pool and formal garden. (Groups with younger children may arrange for sole use of the property, which is often booked for weddings). Four acres of land are surrounded by mountains and the property is only a five-minute walk from the shops and restaurants in the Victorian center of Franschhoek. Luxury travel advisors can contact Wendy (+27-768-844-123).
The mélange of hues and eclectic objects sets The Monument apart. Importantly, the entire property was designed around sustainability, including solar throughout. Rates include beverages, wine and spirits, as well as laundry and breakfast.
The three-bedroom villa, The Green House, sleeps six in three en-suite bedrooms. There is a full kitchen inside and braai (barbecue) outside; it’s possible to arrange for a private chef. In addition to the living room, there is also an office. The house has underfloor heating.
There are two two-bedroom villas, “Heaven on Earth” and “Your Soul is at Home.”
Both include two king-sized bedrooms, working fireplace, fully equipped kitchens and private gardens with braai. The two turret/tower rooms, “Home and Heart” and “A Warm Embrace,” are one-bedroom suites with mountain views. Both have walk-in showers and bathtubs.
Constantia, one of the oldest wine regions in South Africa, is adjacent to the city of Cape Town and its many museums, galleries and restaurants. Among Liz McGrath’s collection of properties, the Cellars-Hohenort remains an enticing location, dating to 1693. The cluster of white-washed buildings, set within nine acres of gardens and vineyards, are primarily Dutch colonial architecture. The liberal use of fabrics and ceramics by South African designer Ardmore add punches of color and whimsy to the rooms and public spaces.
There are 51 guestrooms and suites and the Fresh Wellness Spa; the hotel is a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World. The sales manager is Martina Barth (martina@collectionmcgrath.com; +27-083-280-1160).
The Courtyard rooms are quiet and overlook the gardens, while the rooms and suites in Hohenort offer vineyard views. In the Cellars building, the rooms, restaurant and bar are adjacent to lush gardens. There are several private villas and eight premier suites, which can be duplex or on a single level. The buildings are set within the award-winning flower and herb gardens and reached by winding paths and drives.
Named after Nelson Mandela, the Madiba Villa is two stories, with a private driveway and discreet entrance. There are two double en-suite bedrooms, private pool, living/dining room, working fireplace and underfloor heating. There is a kitchen for guests wishing to have private staff.
The Liz McGrath Villa is also two stories, with two en-suite bedrooms. It can be enlarged to three bedrooms and another living area with the addition of an adjacent premier suite. There is a fully equipped kitchen, a separate living room with fireplace, and a private terrace.
The Conservatory at Cellars-Hohenort offers a range of local dishes in a light and airy setting. Chef Tronette Dippenaar’s menu ranges from traditional bobotie to seafood to South African game; her signature dish is a cheese souffle with cheese and gin sauce.
The Cape Winelands area is known for wine, food, landscapes and shopping. Stellenbosch and Franschhoek delight strollers with their interesting shops and boutiques. The dozens of wineries in the area often offer olive oil tastings along with excellent food. Here are some with outdoor seating and great views: Tokara Deli on the Tokara Wine Estate in Stellenbosch, hidden away behind the vineyard’s fine dining restaurant; Parisian-style Vine Bistro on the Glenelly wine estate in Stellenbosch; Vadas Smokehouse and Bakery at the Spier Winery near Stellenbosch with play space for children; Alto Restaurant on the Alto wine estate, the oldest red wine producer in Stellenbosch; and Babel Restaurant on the Babylonstoren wine estate in Paarl, where locals come to enjoy the gardens.
This part of Africa has so much to offer that it’s easy to find reasons to design Southern itineraries again and again.
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