Stellenbosch (Winelands)

Lanzerac Hotel and Spa

★★★★★

Lanzerac is the classic Winelands estate hotel: a white-gabled Cape Dutch manor house set among oaks, lawns and vineyards at the mouth of the Jonkershoek Valley, with the mountains of the Jonkershoek Nature Reserve rising behind, a few minutes' drive from the centre of Stellenbosch. The estate's history goes back to 1692, and it holds a special place in South African wine as the home of the world's first commercially bottled Pinotage, the country's own grape variety, released under the Lanzerac label in the early 1960s. Today it is a working wine estate with a tasting room and deli, and a hotel of 54 rooms and suites in four categories, spread around the manor house and the gardens in low, whitewashed buildings, many with private patios or views over the vineyards and mountains. Interiors combine the heritage of the estate with a fresh, elegant style, refreshed after a major refurbishment. There is a choice of places to eat: the Manor Kitchen for relaxed estate dining, the Taphuis for drinks and lighter food, the Tasting Room and Deli for wine and picnics, and The Library and the Craven Lounge for quieter moments. The Lanzerac Spa overlooks the vineyards and mountains, and the gardens are made for long walks and lazy afternoons. Lanzerac is also a good base for active travellers: the Jonkershoek Nature Reserve, just up the valley, has hiking and mountain-biking trails and waterfalls, and the Stellenbosch wine routes and restaurants are a short drive away. The estate has been recognised as one of South Africa's leading wine country hotels, and it is a favourite for weddings and celebrations, so it has a festive air at weekends in the summer.

Choosing a room: the Classic rooms are comfortable but simplest; the Luxury rooms add space and better views; and the Junior Suites and Suites, with more space and the best outlooks over the vineyards, are worth the upgrade for a special stay. Ask for a room away from the function areas if a wedding is booked during your visit.

What the stay is like: peaceful, with the sound of birdsong and the mountains turning gold in the late afternoon. Most guests spend the day exploring the Winelands and return for a drink on the terrace and dinner on the estate. Stellenbosch's historic centre is about five minutes by car, with its own restaurants, galleries and university town energy, and Franschhoek is around forty minutes over the Helshoogte Pass. Cape Town is roughly forty-five minutes to an hour away, so Lanzerac works best as the Winelands leg of a split stay rather than a base for the city.

Who it suits: wine lovers, couples, and families who want space and gardens; hikers and cyclists heading for Jonkershoek; and anyone who wants the full Cape Dutch estate experience close to a lively town. The trade-offs are distance from Cape Town and the busy weekend wedding scene. For a few nights among the vines, it is one of the most satisfying stays in South Africa.