Lekkerwijn

Historic Cape Dutch homestead in the heart of the Cape Winelands, offering friendly B&B or cottage accommodation

If you are looking for a place in the Cape Winelands which is definitely a family home and not a hotel, then we have no hesitation recommending Lekkerwijn. Based in the centre of the Franschhoek – Paarl – Stellenbosch triangle, you are perfectly placed for day trips to all three. And you are bang in the middle of spectacular countryside: rolling vineyards, fruit orchards, meandering rivers and the dramatic backdrop of the Drakenstein mountains.

Best of all, this Cape Dutch homestead has a friendly, human feel to it. It was built in the 17th century and has been home to the fruit-farming Pickstone family since the 19th century. Its spacious and elegantly furnished drawing and dining rooms ooze history, while the 4 guest rooms feel homely and familiar. There are also 2 small cottages with sitting room and self-catering facilities. Owner Wendy Pickstone is a good old-fashioned hostess, not a slick hotel manager: kind, talkative, knowledgeable, sincere with staff and guests, and absolutely devoted to her dog!

Highs

• The friendly, homely feel
• Traditional Cape Dutch layout with courtyard
• Sitting rooms with gorgeous old furniture
• Spacious guestrooms, mostly en-suite
• Extensive wooded gardens with plunge pool
• In the heart of the wine estates

Lows

• It’s quite near a main road, though you can't hear it at all and it feels very remote here
• The pool is small and not very private
• Don’t expect hotel facilities (in-room telephones, room service or anything like that)
• The cottage is less elegant than the main house, with fewer services - but that's reflected in the price