Klein Genot

Bijou retreat and vineyard where Feng Shui meets traditional Cape Dutch architecture in the lee of the stunning Franschhoek mountains

When Angie and Joey Diamond were searching for land on which to set up a small country hotel and wine farm they enlisted the help of a Feng Shui master. He pinpointed a strong line of chi energy cutting across a fertile swathe of land cradled by the crystalline waters of the Franschhoek and Stoney Brook rivers – and their quest was over.

Klein Genot’s cluster of whitewashed buildings are yet to celebrate their tenth birthday yet their gabled lines, constructed in best Cape Dutch tradition, seem much older and the newly planted vineyards are already bearing fruit. After crossing a footbridge, then a sweep of neat lawn, you enter the house by way of a peaceful inner courtyard: the sound of murmuring water, the glinting gold of the Koi carp and neat beds of white pebbles induce a Zen mood of calm and well-being. In the main house the decorative style is more traditional country Cape with the accent placed on deep comfort. A stay at Klein Genot is about leaving the mundane behind, relaxing into a world of cossetted comfort and recharging your inner batteries.

Highs

• Klein Genot's six guestrooms couldn't be more comfortable with big beds, oversized baths and power showers
• First class hospitality with genuine warmth
• Setting of rare beauty at the foot of the Franschhoek mountain range
• Utterly peaceful corner of the valley, lovely walks through vineyards and along river banks
• Kicking back with your books and music by the pool then indulging in a range of massages and spa treatments
• Close to the sleepy town of Franschhoek - South Africa's culinary capital
• Good base for sorties out into the winelands

Lows

• Rooms come with a relatively high price tag but this does include breakfast and afternoon tea as well as beers and soft drinks
• We loved the Zen water garden but found the decorative mix of the guest lounges, bedrooms and dining room to be a little over-dressed
• Children are only accepted 'at the management's discretion'