by Paul Heney
Last updated: 6:00 AM ET, Wed January 23, 2019
Spread across 30 acres of gorgeous vineyards, La Residence is a stunning slice of African glamour, located a mere hour's drive from Cape Town, the so-called Mother City.
La Residence is part of The Royal Portfolio, a high-end South African brand that includes four other properties: Cape Town's The Silo and The One Above (a penthouse accommodation), Birkenhead House in the seaside town of Hermanus, east of Cape Town, and Royal Malewane in Kruger National Park.
The Royal Portfolio is the brainchild of designer Liz Biden, a longtime fashion industry veteran who turned her love of beautiful furnishings and fabrics into a passion for luxury travel.
At La Residence, which was built from scratch in 2007, she created a central space called The Great Hall, where guests can relax or enjoy a meal. Rough-hewn exposed timbers provide a wonderful counterpoint to the striking black and white tiled floors, and sumptuous red chairs invite guests to sit and enjoy the views, both indoors and out.
Meals here are flexible-breakfast is a lavish buffet affair, but after that, timing and cuisine are up to the guest. We had a very late lunch (or was it a very early dinner), and the staff suggested we enjoy it out on the patio so we could enjoy the sunshine and breathtaking views of the mountains. Food here is fresh and locally sourced, with a vegetable and herb garden located right on site.
Wines are central to the enjoyment of any meal here, and La Residence features some of its own vintages as well as a lovely wine list curated by sommelier Ricardo Roux, who was happy to discuss his favorites. Try one of the local Pinotages-the wine is heavily associated with South Africa and is enjoying increased popularity today, after many years of being considered a lesser varietal.
Rooms at La Residence are split into two areas. Attached to the Great Hall are the hotel accommodations: six luxury suites and five superior suites, each decorated with attention to detail and unique color schemes. Children staying in the hotel must be 10 years or older. There are also five Vineyard Suites, which are separate cottages-here, children of all ages are welcomed. Three of them feature two bedrooms, and the others have one and three bedrooms.
The property also boasts an in-house spa therapist, a full fitness facility, swimming pool, library and curio shop. Rates include breakfast, snacks, wireless internet, laundry service, a full mini-bar, local beverages and house wines and coffees and specialty teas. There's also an in-house shuttle service into the delightful town of Franschhoek.
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