In good company with Franschhoek's Grand Provence

For R2,000 per room including breakfast up until 30 September 2017 the Owner’s Cottage, will have you experience every luxury associated with a five-star hotel stay at a much-reduced rate; and, if you get a bunch of friends together and take the entire cottage, the added-value quadruples.

Décor and detail is highly remarkable, and similar properties that offer plush robes, slippers, under-floor heating and a whole bunch more, do so at a considerably higher price point.

What we liked, was that we could join the Saturday 8am park run at the next door Rickety Bridge Estate and be back for a slap-up breakfast in the light-filled conservatory of the Owner’s Cottage.

Fine wine and dine

There is a framed photo of Prince Edward and Sophie, the Earl and Countess of Wessex on the table, so I assume that they’ve stayed there too, and author Bryce Courtney has written the forward to a glossy book about Huka Retreats of which Grande Provence is a part.

French flair with a local twist for Grande Provence's new winter menu

Ruth Cooper  4 Jul 2017

The estate is beautiful. We loved walking around the manicured gardens and the 700 or so metre walk to the fine-dining restaurant, wine tasting facility and contemporary art gallery is a pleasure.

Their Angels Tears wine is very famous and we were impressed with the food and service in the restaurant, but mostly loved the cosy comfort sitting in the cottage’s living room shared with other guests, paging through fabulous magazines or reaching for one of the books while listening to the cracking fire. During the Summer, the pool area is in high demand and we especially loved the pool-side loggia with its comfy couches and fireplace. There’s even a secluded spa pool with views over the vineyards and towards the mountains that surround the Franschhoek Valley.

The Franschhoek Wine Tram includes a stop at Grande Provence and is a good way to get around to visit and enjoy wines at many estates in the area without the risk of driving under the influence.

For coffee lovers, the Terbodore Coffee Roastery and coffee shop is a neighbouring property. At Grande Provence, you are in the heart of the historic Franschhoek winelands but also near the village and the many attractions – not least of which includes many fine restaurants.

There are other accommodation options also available on the estate, but I’d heartedly recommend the Cabernet suite in the Owner’s Cottage where we stayed, or the slightly larger room with its own sitting area and fire place.