Leeu Estates

Found on the hillside overlooking the quaint and elegant winelands village of Franschhoek, Leeu Estates is a contemporary take on a traditional winelands property, which has created a glorious retreat, away from the village but with all of the facilities and amenities one could need.

This 17-room hotel is housed in a newly constructed building, which has been designed and sited to ensure glorious views down the valley and means the rooms are wonderfully comfortable with no wasted space. They have a relatively minimalist feel to them, so aren’t cluttered with furniture, but what they are furnished with is incredibly comfortable and the rooms have all the amenities any guest could wish for. Spacious en-suite bathrooms are equally well equipped with luxury toiletries, fluffy towels, bathrobes and slippers. Within the main part of the hotel there are plenty of spots for guests to relax in privacy, with a lovely lounge area, covered veranda and spacious gardens which house the hotels significant sculpture collection. The swimming pool commands wonderful views down the valley and with staff on hand to serve drinks in the afternoon there are few better spots in Franschhoek to relax and soak up the sunshine. The cosy dining room is a focal point of the property with the chefs serving up a succession of amazing dishes, with a strong focus on seasonal, locally sourced ingredients.

The property is a labour of love for an Indian businessman who visited Franschhoek during the 2010 FIFA World Cup and is found adjacent to the Mullineux winery, so wine tastings can be enjoyed at any point during the stay. A series of walking trails take guests through the surrounding mountains – perfect for working off the food and wine. Franschhoek village is a short drive or manageable walk away, with vehicles on hand to transfer guests in whenever they require.