Holidays in Winelands

You’ve got a lot of places to stay in the region, from behind table mountain from the V&A waterfront - Cape Town city, there are lots of gorgeous vineyards and hotels so you could do a single centre in Cape town and do a city and vineyard and not go more than 30 miles from the airport, through to the more familiar towns of Stellenbosch and Franschhoek. We’ve got a few top picks when it comes to Cape Winelands hotels, to help you select the right destination for your holiday:

• For those looking to relax for a few days and not drive around too much on their Winelands holiday, the Spier Hotel is perfect. It’s a great destination in itself with plenty to keep you happy on site, including Segway tours, restaurants, wine tasting (of course!), eagle encounters and a pretty sweet spa.
• Spend a few nights in South Africa’s oldest hotels, Oude Werf. Stellenbosch holidays aren’t all about the wine. This is one of the oldest settlements in South Africa, so it’s well worth taking a walking tour around the heart of the town to discover the region’s rich history. The hotel itself really sets the scene for the area and is a great staging spot to hit the town’s many cafes, museums and galleries. And if you do still fancy a tasting or two, you can investigate the 200 wine estates close to the area with the Vine Hopper shuttle. 
• Okay, so of course you need to taste some wine (naturally), and with most tastings priced between £3 and £5, you’ve got a world of sipping and swirling on your doorstep with a Winelands holiday. But you still need a full stomach to go along with all that wine. So… what to eat? The Country Kitchen at Mont Rochelle is the perfect spot for light lunches, casual dining and gourmet meals. The team here can even prepare a a picnic basket for you, if you want to explore the grounds. You’re at the height of luxury here — a private manor house dating back to 1668 set against the gorgeous backdrop of the mountains. We’ll drink to that.

Of course, the main reason to book a Winelands holiday is to try some of the world’s best wines, especially their renowned Chenin Blanc and Pinotage. However, there is so much more to see, and foodies will love discovering some of the country’s best restaurants (there’s plenty of them). 

• The food capital of South Africa boasts some amazing restaurants, so you’ll need to book in advance to guarantee a table! Check out Babylonstoren, Terroir and Bosman’s, Bread & Wine for starters. With so much out there, we could keep going, but then you’d miss your reservation.
• You’re not just limited to wine in these parts — craft beer has experienced a recent resurgence in South Africa, with Franschhoek being no exception. For those looking for a break from all the world-class wines, spend a lazy afternoon at the Tuk Tuk Microbrewery. On-site brews and delicious dishes make this a fantastic new addition to the Franschhoek Winelands.
• If you want to sample a few vineyards, but stay in the heart of Cape Town, there are a few options. Take a trip into the Winelands on one of our scheduled tours or hop on the City Sightseeing bus (blue route tour) and sample a few glasses in Groot Constantia.

Stellenbosch is a young university town vibe with coffee culture and restaurants spilling into streets so more youthful. The vineyards are out in the valleys so you would need to book a tour or the vinehopper.

Franschhoek is one main street in the valley so there are lots of vineyards that surround it. The wine tram is a tram and bus shared service so you can book a day trip and not have to walk. It is seamless and one of the best things to do in the country. Franschooek is very famous for food and drink ‘foodie capital of South Africa’ if you like, but much more accessible for getting out and about and to restaurants.

We tend to lean towards Stellenbosch and Franschhoek for most of our accommodation. The hotels in these areas make sure that first-time visitors are right at the heart of the action. 

• Stellenbosch boasts a lot of history, but is nowadays renowned for being a fun, bustling university town with a reputation for producing some of South Africa’s finest rugby players.
• Al fresco dining and youthful bars are the norm in Stellenbosch, with some of the best vineyards dotted around the valleys outside of the town. Bear this in mind if you’re driving — you will need to book a tour (which can be done by vehicle, bicycle or even horseback!).
• A bit further into the valleys, you’ve got Franschhoek, an upmarket village with a fantastic location for those looking to explore on foot.
• The Franschhoek Wine Tram will take you from the village into some award-winning vineyards, allowing a very easy option for those looking to explore on their own.
• The Franschhoek Motor Museum is located just outside of the village and boasts a varied collection of motor memorabilia in a stunning setting, on the luxurious L’Ormarins estate.