Check into a hotel that embodies the pinnacle of South African luxury among the rolling hills of the Franschhoek valley with Georgie Bentley-Buckle, widely known as the country’s culinary capital.
In the hills of Franschhoek – a lush, South African ‘Garden of Eden’ is La Residence, a five-star hotel that is one part of The Royal Portfolio: a collection of exceptional hotels, that reflect the dynamic corners of the country. A destination abundant with heritage, Franschhoek is considered the gourmet capital of South Africa, with its name taken from the French settlers that first established the valley. Embodying the respected culinary culture of the iconic region it calls home with homegrown wine, fine dining and a farm-to-fork ethos, La Residence is a haven for a high-class honeymoon.
Filled with fragrant flowers and fine wine, La Residence’s grand estate is patrolled by the resident peacocks who exhibit their iridescent feathers around the boutique hotel’s uniquely curated spaces. Showcasing grand antiques and striking fresh bouquets that tower towards sparkling chandeliers, here you’ll uncover an exceptional place of beauty, opulence, and relaxation.
Following a ‘masterful’ refresh of the hotel, today La Residence is even more of an opulent escape: elevating its food and drink, design, and refined experiences. Across the 16 glamourous suites, the hotel has welcomed a swathe of elegant new design features. From lavish gold leaf accents in the hotel’s reception, to green and white striped upholstery in the Persian Alley dining area which mirrors the orchards and vineyards surrounding the estate. Meanwhile, tucked away from the main hotel, the hotel’s five Vineyard Suites now also feature exquisitely tiled Mediterranean-style pools which look over the mountain and are perfect for small groups celebrating in style.
To ensure the property excels within a region of such high culinary reputation, the new era also celebrates the welcome of Gregory Henderson as Executive Chef. A passionate forager, La Residence’s ‘farm to fork’ offering has been enhanced with his expansion of the estate’s organic gardens. This includes new cooking classes using seasonal farm products such as vegetables, herbs, honey, or lavender, in addition to leading guests on foraging walks to pick local herbs and mushrooms that grow in the valley. Couples can also enjoy personalised cookery demonstrations at the Chef’s Table in the opulent dining hall, curated afternoon tea inspired by the seasons, cheese and wine pairings and romantic picnics set up to perfection in the scenic vineyards.
Surrounded by vineyards, it’s only natural that La Residence would create their own wine, this includes red and rosé varieties served exclusively to The Royal Portfolio guests that taste as exceptional as the hotel’s setting. This year guests can be one of the few to enjoy the 2023 vintage from the La Residence bijou winery. Crafted by winemaker Jacques de Klerk who emphasises in sustainability and creating wines in harmony with nature, the wines of La Residence are also available in the rooms’ mini bars or can be purchased and delivered home.
Confidently presenting one of South Africa’s most beautiful and refined locations, Franschhoek has become a magnet to wed in the winelands. With 30 acres of vineyards and plum orchards, La Residence prides itself on hosting sophisticated soirées of up to 150 people curated by their on-hand event team who fuse opulent accommodation, exceptional service, and fine dining with the natural beauty of the region. This also includes helping to curate unforgettable proposal experiences between the vines or around the illustrious lake.
For newlyweds, honeymoon guests can sip on exceptional wine by the cerulean pool and couple’s massages in the luxury and privacy of their suite. Meanwhile, the hotel’s dynamic doorstep and its striking landscape is abundant with world-class restaurants plus Franschhoek village which is lined with gorgeous boutiques. The team at La Residence is also on hand to arrange tours to discover the vineyards from above by helicopter, on horseback, or a stylish Harley Davidson.
