Winery Archives - Page 2 of 2

Spier Village, Stellenbosch

Village style accommodations set in a large wine estate

Spier is a long established winery, which has developed substantially in recent years initially as a restaurant and a small cheetah conservation project to a fully-fledged resort, with a distinctly African feel, in beautiful grounds overlooking the Jonkershoek Mountains. Accommodation is located in the Spier Village, which extends to 155 rooms encompassing luxuriously appointed rooms and suites. Here you can hold a raptor, go for a segway tour, have a picnic by the lake, relax by one of the seven pools or indulge yourself in a wine tasting only a short stagger from your room.

About the Location

There are three rated restaurants and delis to cater for every taste. Horse and pony rides can be arranged and the property also boasts an 18 hole golf course. The property is conveniently situated 20 minutes drive from Cape Town International Airport and it will only take you 30 minutes to drive into the centre of Cape Town. Stellenbosch is 10 minutes away by car, The Strand with its excellent beaches is close by as is the Somerset Mall in Somerset West for shopping.

Le Quartier Francais, Franschhoek

Luxury and style set in the centre of Franschhoek

Although the hotel is situated right in the middle of bustling Franschhoek, step through into the gardens where the 21 suite style rooms open onto the compact pool and you could be in the middle of the countryside. The atmosphere is very calming set among the fragrant bushes and herbs. The rooms are much larger than usual and exquisitely decorated – some with antiques but all very tasteful. The restaurant is renowned for its food and here you will also find a delicatessen and bistro.

About the Location

The hotel is part of the original village founded by the Huguenots in the early 1700s and many of the nearby buildings date back to that time. In Franschhoek you will find interesting boutiques, numerous restaurants and, of course, many excellent wineries. The spectacular Franschhoek pass is only minutes away and Cape Town takes around 40 minutes along good roads.

Mont Rochelle, Franschhoek

Beautiful and very stylish thatched hotel overlooking the Franschhoek Valley

A first class luxuriously appointed hotel and although is priced to reflect this, the extra expense is well worth it. The hotel has spectacular views from the terrace overlooking the fabulous Franschhoek valley. The restaurant is one of our favourites and one of the most highly regarded in South Africa. The hotel is situated high above Franschhoek so most of the 22 bedrooms have spectacular views.

About the Location

The village is only 5 minutes drive away and is bustling with numerous boutiques, restaurants and street cafes. Some of the finest wineries in South Africa are within easy reach and Cape Town is only 45 minutes drive. Therefore, whether you want a romantic place to stay at the end of your holiday or just a dinner to remember Mont Rochelle should be on your itinerary.

Lanzerac Manor Hotel, Stellenbosch, Cape Winelands

It is with great sadness to relay that as a result of a fire that extensively damaged the Manor House and the operational areas of the hotel, Lanzerac is closed until further notice

Lanzerac is a stylish wine estate with great wines and cuisine

This is a gracious, Cape Dutch manor house resplendent in antiques and the polished woods of South Africa. Lanzerac Manor & Winery is one of the enduring gems of the Cape. Set in the beautiful Jonkershoek Mountains just on the outskirts of Stellenbosch, the Manor has 48 classically appointed suites, many with antique and antique style furniture and fittings to compliment an estate that can trace its origins back over 300 years. The hotel has two pools one of which is located in the stunning gardens complete with poolside service. The restaurant is one of our favourites serving good modern South African dishes combined with an excellent cellar including the estate’s own wines with impeccable service. The rooms and bathrooms are large and traditionally decorated.

About Lanzerac’s Location

This is set in a secluded location on the edge of bustling Stellenbosch. The town centre with its thatched and whitewashed building is a 10 minute drive. The town is home to one of South Africa’s premier universities and the buzz and the ambiance reflects this. As well as Lanzerac, you will find some excellent restaurants.

Auberge Burgundy, Hermanus

Auberge Burgundy occupies a great location in the centre of this bustling and trendy seaside town

Auberge Burgundy is four star accommodation at its best set in the centre of Hermanus. The style of the hotel is just as the name suggests with echoes of laid back rural France. The 14 rooms and 5 suites are spacious and very comfortably appointed with soothing light tones to the decor. There is a roof top pool for relaxing when you just want to chill out rather than walk the short distance down to the beach. The poolside is a good option for those clients who enjoy easy pool access. The restaurant opposite used to be a part of the hotel and guests still eat breakfast here and can book for an excellent evening meal.

About Auberge Burgundy’s Location

The bustling town centre is close and sports a number of individual boutiques. Walker Bay is an excellent location to see Southern Right Whales between June and November. Humpback Whales can normally be viewed from August to December. Their presence is greeted by the colourful, and noisy, Hermanus Whale Crier. He pounds the streets of the town to inform the residents of the most recent orcadian residents in the bay! This location has a lot to offer even outside the whale season. There is shark cage diving close by in Gansbaai and Sea Kayaking can be arranged locally. For the super fit, Sandboarding on the dunes at Betty’s Bay (30 minute drive) can be fun! For those who enjoy more passive pursuits, a trip to the local wine route of Hemel-en-Aarde will be rewarding. Two of South Africa’s top wineries, Hamilton Russell and Bouchard Finlayson are located in this charming valley just 15 minutes from Hermanus. Township tours, Paragliding, Deep Sea Fishing and Horse Riding are among the many activities available.

Jan Harmsgat Country House, Swellendam

Jan Harmsgat combines out of the way rural charm with beautiful rooms and great cuisine

This is real country living! Set beneath the imposing Langeberg Mountains this property has four large bedrooms mainly set in a thatched converted barn . The property also has a family sized, self catering cottage on a working farm approximately 5 minutes’ drive away, This can be used to accommodate families with children under 12. The rooms are spacious and have a calm, cooling country feel with thatched or cape reed ceilings. Dinner in the main house is a feature of any stay at Jan Harmsgat. The cuisine ranks among the best we have encountered in South Africa, the wine cellar features some of the top South African wines with an emphasis on local wineries and some lesser-known labels, which are excellent.

About Jan Harmsgat’s Location

You can relax beside the pool soaking up the sun, walk among the fruit orchards which include grapefruit, apples and quince. You can also hike into the Langeberg Mountains. Explore historic Swellendam, just 25 kms away, where you will find some fine examples of Cape Dutch architecture, There are interesting museums and a good craft complex in the Old Gaol, which is part of the Old Drosdty museum. Robertson, which is home to some excellent wineries, is just 60 kms along the road. In fact the entire road up to Worcester is dotted with vineyards. Both towns have excellent restaurants. The Bontebok National Park is an easy 15-minute drive and it is one of the most successful conservation stories. The park was established in 1931 to protect the remaining 60 bontebok. There are now well over 2,500 bontebok throughout South Africa. You can take a short drive to Montagu, which has hot springs and dramatic scenery through the Kogman’s Kloof Pass. The southernmost tip of Africa (Cape Agulhas) is an hour’s drive. For those looking for a truly unspoilt wilderness the drive to the De Hoop Nature Reserve. The spectacular pristine beach at nearby Witsand will reward you with wonderful sightings of Whales in season (June to December). You will also find examples here of the unique Cape Fynbos vegetation at its best. Rather than just a stopover on your way to the Garden Route, we believe you will be enchanted by a two or three day stay.

The Marine Hotel, Hermanus

This is luxury accommodation at its finest, equivalent to the top international hotels but distinctly South African. The 46 rooms are beautifully decorated in the unique, luxuriously restful style established by the late Liz McGrath. This is a sister hotel to The Cellars – Hohenort (Cape Town) and The Plettenberg Bay Hotel. These are all top of the range 5 star hotels with a level of service that is second to none.

About the Location

The hotel is situated right on the cliff top overlooking Walker Bay. In fact from the windows of some of the suites you will be able to watch the whales in the bay between June and December.You will also be able to arrange a boat trip to see these magnificent creatures at close hand. There are two top restaurants – one featuring local seafood in a more casual, bistro type setting. If you don’t want to use the sea, which is a short walk down some steps from the grounds, you will be able to swim in the pool located near one of the restaurants. There is a health spa and, as you would expect a very imaginative gift shop.

Tarn Country House, The Crags

Great location, fabulous reviews and pretty accommodation and surroundings

Tarn Country House is located 15 minutes’ drive from bustling Plettenberg Bay with its wonderful beaches. Situated against the backdrop of the Tsitsikamma Mountains in the Whiskey Creek Nature Reserve, there are 8 large beautifully decorated suites each with their own, private entrance. The extensive grounds are attractively landscaped with indigenous plants.

About the Location

There is a large pool and the sea is just 2 kms away. Tarn has an excellent restaurant with a good choice of freshly prepared food. The Mauritian Stir Fry is exceptional! There are many activities in the locality. Nature’s Valley is a short drive and the fine beach is a draw for surfers – unfortunately not so good for swimming. Keurboomstrand has exceptional coastal scenery and for bathing you will love Plettenberg Bay. Storms River and the Tsitsikamma Forest National Park is a 30-minute drive. The animal parks at The Crags are just down the road and here you can walk with elephants, wild cats, monkeys and birds for a truly unique experience. Renowned Bramon winery is very close.

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Hout Bay Manor, Hout Bay

Convenient location and pleasant accommodation in an historic manor house

Four-star accommodation in the bustling beautifully situated Hout Bay with its great restaurants (noted for the excellent local seafood) and picturesque fishing harbours. The hotel is a national monument and was built over 130 years ago. It is in a quiet location a short walk from the village centre and beach and it has the air of an English Manor House rich with beams and history. The 16, bedrooms are very comfortably appointed and decorated in classic, cottage style although they tend to be a little smaller than many of the properties we feature. Breakfast, lunch and tea are served either in the dining room or beneath the magnificent oaks on the terrace.

About the location

Relax and enjoy a drink in the lounge which is richly decorated with antiques and still has its original paved floors and window frames. In the evening the owners have created a bistro and this is beginning to gain critical acclaim in the Hout Bay area. This is a convenient location from which to explore nearby Chapman’s Peak Drive with its spectacular views as you drive to Noordhoek and Fish Hoek with their renowned beaches. Constantia with its wineries and the Kirstenbosch Gardens is a short 20 minutes drive and the centre of Cape Town is just 20 minutes away along the beautiful coastal drive via Camps Bay.