The Franschhoek Hideaway
Franschhoek, Cape Winelands & West Coast, South Africa
Reviewed by
Nikki Tinto
As if pretty little Franschhoek wasn’t charming enough already, along comes this cute bolthole set on a leafy plot in the middle of town. Its white clapboard exterior, fronted by a sweet veranda dressed in foliage, peeps through mature fruit trees towards the craggy mountains that surround Franschhoek on three sides. And the town’s renowned gourmet scene is right outside, with world-class restaurants just footsteps away, and vineyards stretching for miles all around. It's an idyllic scene.
But don’t let the quaint setting fool you into thinking this hideaway is all frills and antiques inside; on the contrary. Step into the open-plan, double-height living room and the look is smart, fresh and contemporary – all white linens and classy monochrome, plus a sprinkling of handicrafts from India and Sri Lanka (where the owners formerly lived). You get two bedrooms (one double, one twin), a modern kitchen with an island, a snug, and three terraces. Light floods the interior, and most rooms gaze out over the landscaped garden, where a slender swimming pool is perfect for dips in the sunshine. Sip your wine, put your feet up, and feast on the flavours of the Franschhoek Valley – this is as good as it gets.
But don’t let the quaint setting fool you into thinking this hideaway is all frills and antiques inside; on the contrary. Step into the open-plan, double-height living room and the look is smart, fresh and contemporary – all white linens and classy monochrome, plus a sprinkling of handicrafts from India and Sri Lanka (where the owners formerly lived). You get two bedrooms (one double, one twin), a modern kitchen with an island, a snug, and three terraces. Light floods the interior, and most rooms gaze out over the landscaped garden, where a slender swimming pool is perfect for dips in the sunshine. Sip your wine, put your feet up, and feast on the flavours of the Franschhoek Valley – this is as good as it gets.
Highs
- Franschhoek’s incredible restaurant scene is right on the doorstep – a 5-minute walk from the house
- The interiors are refreshingly elegant and contemporary, and we love the nod to India and Sri Lanka from the furnishings
- The smart swimming pool is ideal for cooling off, with the mountains forming a rugged backdrop
- The house has bags of space for a family or group of 4, thanks to airy, double-height living spaces, a double and a twin room, and three terraces plus a garden to relax in
- Minimum stay of just 2 nights for most of the year – unusually low for a rental property. And no security deposit required
Lows
- The pool is unheated and unfenced – small children must be supervised
- While the kitchen has a few basic necessities, you don’t get much in the way of food provisions, but supermarkets are 5 minutes away
- There's no concierge and the owners don't live in the area, but the experienced local managers at Explorers Club can meet you at the property and are on hand for any issues
- There's no A/C, but living spaces are airy and bedrooms have ceiling fans. Note also they have a back up battery system if any power black outs occur
Best time to go
The Cape Winelands get most visitors during the South African spring and summer months - from October through to February. For the rest of the year, the town is much quieter, and the relatively mild winters mean that you should have a really great stay any time between April and September.
Our top tips
If you're in town on a Saturday, swing by Franschhoek's weekly market, which takes place by the church and offers a tempting mix of gourmet treats, handicrafts and vintage clothes.