Franschhoek Country House: A Review

Franschhoek Country House: A Review

Location

The hotel is situated just 1km from the village of Franschhoek so is easy walking distance. The village is located on a main road which can become busy especially at the weekends, but we were not inconvenienced at all by traffic noise. It’s also possible to cycle to the village, the hotel offers bicycles for hire at the cost of R150 for a half day or R300 for a full day. 

Complimentary shuttles are available to guests (2 Mercedes Vito people carrier)

Right next door is a restaurant: Village Grill and Butcher. Family restaurant with limited traditional menu (steaks/burgers/ribs) - Pleasant service and food was good and affordable.

Lowdown

Franschhoek Country House & Villas is perfectly situated just outside the village of Franschhoek offering luxurious accommodation ideal for couples, families and small groups.

This country hotel has 4  types of accommodation on offer to satisfy different budgets. The hotel brings some French flair throughout, especially noticeable in the classic décor featured in the various rooms.

The gardens are also worth mentioning with a mixture of paved walkways, lush lawns and numerous water features.  

Villa Suite

Look And Feel Of Accommodation

This 5 star hotel is decorated in a French style and there is an emphasis on lavender throughout, from lavender bathroom amenities and beautiful lavender shrubs in the gardens. However, I’d say there is also an Italian feel to this hotel with its many water features.

Facilities 

The facilities here are excellent. It has two swimming pools (one of which is heated), a fire place in the villa suites, bicycle hire facilities, and the rooms located near the restaurant have double glazing windows which is very helpful. 

There is a small salon (treatment rooms) on the premises but if clients prefer to go to a full spa, they have a relationship with Camelot Spa at le Franschhoek Hotel.

Food

The hotel has the Monneaux Restaurant which is currently offering a tasting type menu (tapas style). I wouldn't really call it fine dining, but a new chef has recently started so a new menu will be created in the coming weeks. The restaurant offers seating inside and on the large terrace, and there is a private dining area for groups. 

I Loved

I was greeted with a warm and friendly welcome on arrival at Franschhoek Country House, and appreciated the complementary fruit basket in the room and the fresh fruit on offer at breakfast! 

The villa suites were extremely spacious and all offered balconies or patios depending on if you were situated on the first floor or the ground floor.

The gardens were very well kept, with beautiful lawns and the relaxing sound of water features in the background. 

I also loved the loungers around the pool area, which came with complimentary water and homemade lemonade.

I Didn’t Rate

There was no TV in the bedroom, but there is one in the lounge of the suite, and there are no fans in the garden cottages or suites, but there are in the standard and luxury rooms.

Best For

Franschhoek Country House is perfect for couples and families. The Garden cottages are ideal for honeymooners, with both cottages both facing the mountain and situated away from the rest of the accommodation. For families, the villa suites on the ground floor are ideally equipped with double sleeper couches for children.

The Luxury rooms are situated in their own wing and are ideal for a group, perhaps a small group of friends. There are 5 Luxury rooms so you can fit up to 10 max in the Luxury wing.

The Luxury wing also has a communal lounge with fireplace where check-in can take place.

Insider Tips

There are two swimming pools, but make the most of the heated pool!

Definitely make sure you request a room or suite with mountain views.

Activities

There’s a good number of activities to enjoy, such as hiring a bike from the hotel and exploring the village and its many restaurants, and there’s also plenty of wine estates to visit around the hotel, with Grande Provence being the closest.