Living life to the luxe… in glorious technicolour.
Behind vine-draped gates where 200-year-old oaks cast shadows across hand-laid courtyards, conversations flow between friends who’ve discovered what happens when European elegance meets African artistic soul. Here, in the heart of Franschhoek’s most coveted hillside, six suites await those who understand that true luxury lies not in ostentation, but in the alchemy of impeccable design, flawless service, and the kind of privacy that money rarely buys.
Under The Royal Portfolio’s hospitality mastery, your personal team includes a private chef and a concierge to take care of every aspect of your stay, from planning scenic adventures in the Franschhoek Valley to curating delicious dining experiences at home.
Glorious colour palettes
The grandeur of a French chateau takes on the sun-drenched colour palettes of Africa and India… gleaming chandeliers and a 18th-century Aubusson tapestry on the one hand, vibrant colours and original artworks by renowned African artists on the other. “A few of the pieces in Franschhoek House have been collected over the years from my travels,” says founder Liz Biden of her design vision. “When I see something good, something I like or something quirky, I’ll buy it and store it for my next project.”
Her approach to colour borders on revolutionary. “Colour exudes vibrancy and joy, which creates a calming and relaxing environment. People say, ‘You can’t put red with pink.’ I do, and it looks amazing. It makes me happy. I couldn’t just do a room in white or beige. If you can live in colour, why live in beige? The use of colour and matching certain colours together is very considered.”
She uses lush brocades in jewel colours, hand-embroidered silks, rich velvets and gorgeous furnishings, all on an intimate scale that makes you feel immediately at home.
Leisurely living spaces
The Long Room is a relaxed space to lounge on sofas in front of a fireplace, despite the grandeur of a gleaming chandelier that originally came from Cape Town City Hall. You can settle in for a game at the billiard table, enjoy drinks at the bar, or wander through doors opening onto a grassy lawn. Or join your chef in the sunflower-yellow interactive kitchen creating lavish farm-to-table meals of local ingredients (some from the estate’s gardens). A long table on the verandah, or in the courtyard under a majestic 200-year-old oak tree, is the setting for many a memorable occasion.
Afternoons seem to dissolve beside the heated infinity pool that appears to spill directly into vineyard rows towards purple mountains. The outdoor daybed, positioned with the precision of a master photographer, invites guests to recline with a glass or two of bubbly at sunset.
The lodgings
“It might be a painting that sets me off,” Liz says of the genesis of each suite. “Other times, it might be a carpet or piece of fabric. I always like to put something old, something new and something fun, and of course, lots of colour, and it just makes a room interesting. If you just get old stuff it’s very heavy and if you just get modern stuff, there’s no depth.” The six spacious suites are arranged around the central courtyard: two open onto a secluded ground-level terrace, the two upstairs suites share a large balcony overlooking the pool, and two further loft suites open off the Long Room, one with a balcony giving onto the courtyard, the other looking towards the mountains.
- 6 individually decorated ensuite bedrooms
- bathtub and shower
- air-conditioning + underfloor heating
- games room, living room, dining room and bar
- interactive kitchen
- private heated swimming pool
- villa staff – chef, concierge, host
- breakfast and snacks included
- tea, coffee, La Residence house wines, local beverages included
- shuttle service into Franschhoek
- laundry service
Things to do
- explore the estate on foot among vines, olive trees and roses
- run, hike or cycle the mountain trails surrounding the estate
- enjoy a private wine-tasting at La Residence or explore surrounding wine farms
- explore Franschhoek with its boutiques, art galleries and more
- dine out at world-class restaurants
- take a helicopter flight through the Winelands
- horse-riding trail rides around Franschhoek
- play golf on some of South Africa’s best courses
A secluded oasis of absolute comfort and sumptuous saturated colour that you can sink right into for deep relaxation and sparkling enjoyment.
Family-friendly Children are welcomed with thoughtful amenities
Pet-friendly No
Wifi High-speed connectivity
Sleeps 12
Cost From R111 000 per night (depending on season and number of guests)
Where to find it La Residence, Elandskloof Private Road, Elandskloof, Franschhoek
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