Franschhoek Le Quartier Français, South Africa

South Africa
Africa and Middle East

The Experience

Situated in South African’s culinary epicenter, the Cape Winelands region, this boutique hotel surrounded by haute eateries and charming wineries is a tranquil hideaway favored by foodies. Befitting its French roots, the hotel is set behind a Provencal-style facade decorated with a rose and lavender border, further isolated by lush gardens. The low-slung hotel embraces clean, modern lines mixed with rustic touches like rough-hewn wood beams and ornate railings. Still, food is the focus, with restaurants crafting everything from sticky buns to foie gras terrines.

The Rooms

Radiating off a leafy central courtyard and pool, the closely quartered luxury rooms contain wood-burning fireplaces and super-long beds, as well as heated floors. (Room No. 16 has private outdoor seating.) More spacious and sheltered are the Four Quarters Suites, featuring a private lounge and swimming pool, as well as complimentary poolside lunches and a mini bar stocked with whiskey, port and gin. Cottage guests are pampered with two bedrooms (one with twin and one with king beds), two lounges and an operational open kitchen stocked with milk, fresh juice and pastries delivered every morning.

The Service

Though cheerful and quick to smile, the staff lack five-star polish--reservations are dropped, busboys inattentive, the pool poorly maintained. Still, the staff are happy to accommodate oddball requests, including serving as stand-in babysitters.

The Highlights

Gourmands should make reservations for the internationally acclaimed Tasting Room, a sleek and colorful epicurean paradise offering an eight-course tasting menu comprising the likes of foie gras and prosciutto terrines, wild mushroom and potato lasagna and salmon tartare with avocado, beetroot, pineapple and ginger foam. Pair dinner with a film at the on-site Screening Room, which plays mainstream and art-house flicks to moviegoers reclining in soft leather seats, munching popcorn and sipping wine. But don’t feel confined to Le Quartier: The hotel provides complimentary local travel to the valleys numerous wineries and restaurants.

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