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.
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.
- Boutique Cottage
- 2 bedrooms
- Self-catering; restaurants nearby
- All ages welcome
- Open all year
- Outdoor Pool
- Spa Treatments
- Beach Nearby
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Car recommended
- Parking
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
- Daily Maid Service
- Towels & Bedlinen
Rooms
The house is set on one level, but it’s spacious and airy inside thanks to high, beamed ceilings, French doors and huge windows that flood the rooms with natural light. The front door leads into the smart, open-plan living space with terracotta floors, custom-made furniture, woven rugs, and white linen sofas facing a fireplace; logs are neatly piled in crevices at either side. Black and white paintings decorate the walls, and chunky Indian pots and handicrafts scatter the surfaces, adding character.
Behind this is the dining room and a newly fitted kitchen, and beyond is the lovely study/snug with books, a TV with Netflix, and a garden aspect. The two bedrooms – one double, one twin/double (request preference when booking) – are off to the right. The twin faces the back of the house; the master faces the front and has a cute window seat spanning all four panels. In here you also get built-in wardrobes and an ensuite shower bathroom. The second bathroom is outside the twin room, with a rain shower and soothing monochrome styling.
There are covered terraces on three sides of the house, and a lawned garden at the back. Recline on the outdoor sofa here, dine alfresco (there’s a table for 4), or splash in your pool; you're here to unwind.
Features include:
- Fan
- Tumble dryer
- Washing machine
- WiFi
Eating
Ok, you’re in one of the world’s foodie capitals, so you’re probably not here to cook. But if you do feel inclined, the kitchen is well kitted out for it. There’s a gas hob built into the island, an eye-level electric oven, a dishwasher, fridge-freezer, pots, pans… the whole shebang. Tea, coffee, milk and orange juice are provided, and for everything else, there’s a Woolworths (equivalent to M&S) 4 mins’ walk away, a larger Checkers 5 mins’ walk away, and a big Pick n Pay 5 mins’ drive away.
For local produce, Franschhoek's farmers' market takes place on Saturdays, as does Stellenbosch Fresh Foods Market. We also love Boschendal's buzzing Friday Night Market, where you can expect live music, fresh farm produce and artisan food stalls.
And when it comes to eating out, you’re well and truly spoilt. Protégé on the main street serves delectable and imaginative food. For fine dining, La Petite Colombe is one of South Africa's top spots. Try Reuben’s for a spicy mix of Asian fusion and traditional Cape recipes. Or for mouth-wateringly fresh and delicious dishes, there’s The Kitchen at Maison. You're here to eat and eat you will! But wherever you choose, do make sure you book ahead.
Features include:
- Barbecue
- Chef on request
- Coffee maker
- Dishwasher
- Food blender
- Fridge
- Full kitchen
- Hob or stove
- Oven
- Restaurants nearby
- Toaster
Activities
- Stroll around Franschhoek. There are excellent cafes and restaurants, boutiques and galleries to be explored - don't miss the outstandingly good La Cotte wine, cheese and cigar shop
- Taste some of South Africa's finest wines. You're surrounded by dozens of top wineries and Stellenbosch is within 30 mins. Hop on and off Franschhoek's famous Wine Tram. Favourites include Stony Brook, Boekenhoutskloof, Chamonix, La Motte, Boschendal and Babylonstoren
- Or you could go horse riding through the vineyards - saddle up at Paradise Stables
- There are many cycle routes nearby, and hybrid, mountain and kids' bikes (as well as baby carriers) can be hired locally
- The Mont Rochelle Nature Reserve on top of the Franschhoek Pass is ideal for hiking and has a staggering third of the world’s species of plants
- Go chocolate tasting at either the Huguenot Chocolate factory or De Villiers Chocolate at the Spice Route estate
- Go trout fishing in the dams and rivers in the Franschhoek Valley, or swim or fish in the Berg river that flows through the valley
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Cycling
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Horse riding
- Plantlife / flora
- Shopping / markets
- Walking
- Wildlife
- Wine tasting
Kids
The Franschhoek Hideaway is ideal for small families. It sleeps 4 in total, and there is plenty of space for everyone. The back garden has a lawn and a swimming pool, and the kitchen is a good size for cooking kids' meals. There's no specific kids' equipment or activities, and no extra beds, but a baby cot can be provided on request.
Best for:
All ages
Family friendly accommodation:
The are two bedrooms - the second can be setup as a twin so is ideal for two kids sharing. This main bathroom is next door, though note there's no bath.
Cots Available
Families Should Know:
The pool is unfenced and 1.4m deep throughout, so smaller children must be supervised (and comfortable swimmers).
Distances:
- Airport: 1 hour
- Hospital: 20 minutes
- Supermarket: 5-minute walk
For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection
Location
The Franschhoek Hideaway is located in Franschhoek, in the Cape Winelands, about an hour from Cape Town. The town is known as the culinary capital of South Africa.
By Air
Fly into Cape Town International Airport (80km).
From the Airport
Taxis can be arranged; the journey takes approximately 1 hour.
By Car
Most guests will self-drive to get here; for car hire see our car rental recommendations.
Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.
Airports:
- Cape Town 70.0 km CPT
Other:
- Beach 50.0 km
- Shops 0.3 km
- Restaurant 0.3 km
Our guests' ratings...
Based on 1 independent review from i-escape guests
Feedback is only from guests who have booked and stayed through i-escape