Extraordinary Africa>South Africa>The Winelands>Leeu Estates
Leuu Estates is an elegant, immaculately designed wine estate high in the hills above Franschhoek in South Africa’s Winelands.
What’s Leeu Estates really like?
The estate has a glorious setting, in some of the most ravishing gardens we’ve seen anywhere in the world. The grounds are studded with beautiful sculptures and countless gardeners keep them looking immaculate. Guests stay in a mixture of 22 rooms and cottages scattered around the grounds. The main Manor is a beautiful 19th Century building, sensitively restored, with stylish design and thought-provoking artwork (when you see the couple leaning against the wall, you’ll know what we mean). Downstairs there’s a bar and breakfast is eaten here in Le Chêne restaurant (just let us know if you want to be booked in for dinner too).
Next door are the Vineyard Cottage and the Spa Cottage, which has two rooms up above and houses the spa as well as a gym and one of the prettiest pools we’ve seen in a while. A short walk or golf buggy ride through the grounds takes you to Max House, next door to the main winery area, so it’s a little more lively feeling up here. Next door is the Cellar Cottage, then further up the hill are the Protea House, the Oaks and utterly charming little Fynbosch Cottage.
The cottages are rented out either as a whole, or by the room. Across the entire estate, there are Classic Rooms, larger Deluxe Rooms, and then Studio Rooms which have their own terrace and fireplace. There are larger Executive Suites which have their own lounge, and Executive Suites with terraces. If you have a preference for a particular room type, building or view, please ask us as there’s far too much detail for us to put here, but we will always pass along requests.
As well as the estate winery and restaurant, La Petite Colombe, sister restaurant to award-winning La Colombe in Constantia has opened up on site.
What can I do at Leeu Estates?
A stay in Franschhoek wouldn’t be complete without visiting the surrounding wineries, and enjoying restaurants. Fortunately Leuu Estates operate a shuttle down to the village. If you’re travelling during peak season, Franschhoek’s restaurants can get fully booked an astonishingly long way in advance- we’ll send you some suggestions, but please do make sure to check them out well before you go. While you’re here, the Everard Read art gallery has opened next to La Petite Colombe, there are bikes to hire, and you can hike up the hill above the hotel if you’re feeling energetic.
Families at Leeu Estates:
While Leeu Estates does absolutely have a very serene, adult atmosphere, they cater surprisingly well to children, with cots and high chairs on hand, a children’s turn down and even spa treatments for 6-12 year olds.
Want to know more? We’ve been here, so just
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