ARRIVING at Franschhoek from Cape Town, the frantic city falls away, and the calm of the mountains washes over me. Nestled in the heart of the town is Le Quartier Francais, a boutique hotel located on a laid back main street filled with galleries, cafes and numerous wine bars and eateries.
My room is contemporary yet homely, filled with fabrics in autumnal tones. “It is in my DNA to build, to create, to develop,” says Analjit Singh, the owner, who travels the globe sourcing artwork to drape the walls. Singh also devotes his time to enhancing the gardens – I step out of my room and walk into a sea of purple and white, blooming allium bulbs.
Le Quartier Francais – Central Auberge
The hotel is home to Épice – the French word for spice – which serves an array of dishes catering for every dietary requirement. I later learn the restaurant boasts the same team behind La Colombe, and this explains the exceptional standard of cuisine. The staff go beyond offering warmth and service and at breakfast they enthusiastically entertain our baby and provide every measure to ensure her upmost comfort.
View from the spa at Leeu Estates
A shuttle ride away, I arrive at twin property, the Leeu Estates, a grandiose out-of-town residential estate offering a paradisiacal retreat among rolling vineyards. The spa and its treatments are not to be missed. Gardens are filled with lily pads flickering in the sunlight, gently hummingbirds and the mountainous terrain beyond. There’s also a terrace restaurant where a meal here will further improve your day.
by Rachel Spencer
A stay at Le Quartier Francais starts at approximately £450 for two people sharing a double room including breakfast and complimentary wine tasting.
A stay at Leeu Estates starts at approximately £625 for two people sharing a double room, including breakfast and complimentary wine tasting.