L'Auberge Chanteclair

L'Auberge Chanteclair is a converted farmhouse on Middagkrans Road, close enough to Franschhoek's restaurants to walk there and far enough to feel like a farm stay. The property sits in a garden of oak and jacaranda trees, with an orchard, an olive grove, and a vineyard that produces its own Cabernet Sauvignon, Chenin Blanc and Malbec — all three fermented and matured on site in French oak barrels.

The main house holds five named double or twin rooms — Jacaranda, Prunus, Syringa, Cork Oak and Jasmine — each en suite, each looking out to either the vineyard or the mountains. Two detached units sit apart from the house: Vine Cottage has a king or twin bed, a log-burning fire, underfloor heating throughout, and French doors opening onto a private terrace under vines; The Studio is a peak-roofed room with open beams and a reed ceiling, a log-burning fire, a kitchenette, a barbecue on the private patio, and mountain views from the terrace. Several rooms have their own fireplace or underfloor heating; most have French doors onto a verandah or garden.

Breakfast is included and served on a terrace. The pool sits in the landscaped garden. The property is solar-powered with generator back-up, and transfer arrangements to and from the airport can be organised on request. Franschhoek village is roughly seventy-five kilometres from Cape Town.