The Protea Hotel, Franschhoek
The Protea Hotel overlooks the majestic mountains and vineyards in the picturesque village of Franschhoek, some 80 km (50 miles) east of Cape Town, and prides itself on its charming ambiance, attentive service and oh-so accessible location.
This welcoming and comfortable 4-star hotel has thirty spacious en-suite rooms – with no two rooms identical, that look onto the pool area, open-air terrace and sparkling swimming pool. All the rooms are mountain facing and restful.
One of the original buildings in the valley, the inn’s history extends back to the 1880’s while now offering a traditional atmosphere in a modern setting.
Its central location makes it an ideal base from which to independently and safely explore the town’s many world famous restaurants, art galleries, quirky shops and more than twenty five wine estates that form part of the Winelands.
The town itself takes its name from the French Huguenots who settled in the area in the 1680s after fleeing from their home country to escape religious persecution. Franschhoek has since become one of South Africa’s leading culinary and wine-tasting destinations – and is dubbed ”the gourmet capital” of the country.