Franschhoek (Winelands)

La Residence

★★★★★

La Residence is the Winelands sister of The Silo Hotel, and it shares that hotel's love of colour, art and theatre, transplanted into one of the loveliest valleys in South Africa. The estate lies on the floor of the Franschhoek valley, surrounded by vineyards, plum orchards and the jagged mountains that enclose the valley, a few minutes from the village of Franschhoek with its restaurants, galleries and the terminal of the Franschhoek Wine Tram. It is a small, private retreat rather than a conventional hotel. The main house holds a series of individually designed suites, in Luxury and Superior categories, decorated with antiques, rich fabrics, chandeliers and art collected from around the world by The Royal Portfolio's founders; Superior Suites look out over the vines to the mountains, and Luxury Suites over the valley. Beyond the main house, the Vineyard Suites, with one, two or three bedrooms, stand among the vines with their own private plunge pools and terraces, and the largest has a private swimming pool, so they suit families and friends travelling together as well as couples who want complete privacy. Breakfast is included in every suite, and guests share the Terrace Room, an indoor and outdoor space with a kitchen and bar, where meals, drinks and afternoon tea are served, often on the terrace overlooking the estate. Vineyard Suite guests also have access to the Terrace Room pool. A shuttle takes guests into the village, and the staff can arrange tastings, lunches at wine estates and tickets for the wine tram. Life here is slow and indulgent: breakfasts in the sunshine, a dip in the pool, an afternoon of wine tasting, and dinner by candlelight with the mountains turning violet.

Choosing a suite: couples who love interiors should choose a Superior Suite in the main house for the full Royal Portfolio style and the vineyard and mountain views. For privacy, space and a plunge pool, the one-bedroom Vineyard Suites are the romantic choice, while the two- and three-bedroom Vineyard Suites work brilliantly for families or two couples travelling together. All suites are individually designed, so it is worth asking about the decor of each when booking.

What the stay is like: intimate and personal, with a high staff-to-guest ratio and a house-party feel. The decor is maximalist, with bold colours, patterns and objects in every corner, which many guests adore and a few find overwhelming. The estate is quiet at night, and the setting among the orchards and vines is genuinely beautiful at every time of day. Franschhoek village is a short shuttle ride away for dinner, and the valley's wine estates are on the doorstep.

Who it suits: honeymooners and couples celebrating special occasions, design lovers, and families or friends who book a multi-bedroom Vineyard Suite. It is less suited to travellers on a budget or those who prefer understated minimalism. Combined with a few nights at The Silo Hotel in Cape Town, it makes a perfect two-centre trip, with the city and the Winelands both at their most glamorous.