La Residence

Exceptional rooms (Vineyard Suite), friendly and attentive service, stunning location and property and one of the most beautiful sunsets

We just returned from a 2 week trip to South Africa where we were lucky enough to spend the last 3 nights of our trip at La Residence. It couldn't have been more special. We arrived to the property and were greeted so warmly by the staff and sparkling Rosé that from that moment on we never wanted to leave! They really go above and beyond to make you feel like you are part of a family....but I don't want to say too much because it is best to just not hesitate and book your stay here and see for yourself how special it is.

We stayed in the Disa Suite #4 and it was GORGEOUS. Views of the vineyards and the pool and sunset with a large terrace and loungers and sofa to sit on. Every amenity you could want is in the room and on property and if it isn't for some reason...they will get it for you. The pool is heated and was nice both during July 50 degree Fahrenheit days as well as a couple of abnormally warm 75 degree days. We sipped espresso martinis and lunched by the pool on 2 of our 3 days and loved it. The views cannot be beat!

Although we did venture out for 1 lunch and 1 dinner at highly recommended restaurants (and there are a TON in Franschhoek) ...the property was just so stunning and the food is so good...we just didn't feel like going out. That said, the concierge is great at setting up whatever reservations you want at wineries for tastings or at restaurants for lunches or dinners. Also, the complimentary 5 mile radius luxury private transfer is fantastic. We went to a couple wineries and to the main town of Franschhoek and to a dinner out and our drivers, Theo and Galant were so friendly and excellent as well as very knowledgeable about the hotel and surrounding establishments and area.

A very special thanks to Nuzaan, Mario, Mischa, William and Chantell for all that they did for us. Nuzaan gave us an amazing tour of the property and was there to greet us and settle us in when we first arrived. Mario was there for our breakfasts each morning and drinks and lunch by the pool and had such an amazing energy and was always so happy. Mischa made our 20th Anniversary dinner on the property so special and was always checking on us to make sure that all the food and everything was just perfect. William gave us many recommendations for wine and even did a private tasting for us during sundowners by the pond. His knowledge of South African wines was extensive. And last but certainly not least, Chantell. We can't express how much we loved getting to sit and talk with Chantell. She not only informed us so much about Franschoek and Le Residence but also gave us such great information about our time in Cape Town and even about our Safari in Kruger near where she grew up. She is one of the kindest and most amazing people you will ever meet and you should definitely take some time to chat with her during your stay.

Bottom line....this is one of the most special hotels we have ever stayed at and can't wait to return again.

The amazing staff and rooms made the stay amazing!

It was an absolute privilege to be able to stay in the three-bedroom vineyard suite. Part of the collection of luxury hotels and lodges that make up The Royal Portfolio, there are five Vineyard Suites in total. Each is tastefully decorated in a way that manages to blend luxurious comfort with a homely feel.

The best part for us - children of all ages are welcome. As a family of five, it was refreshing to find luxury accommodation where children are not only accepted, but loved and cared for in a way we have not experienced previously. When we were still finishing up our breakfast our children were each given a little canvas and paint brush, and made their own art works to take home.

The mini bar in the suites are well-stocked, Nespresso coffee can be made from the rooms, and the restaurant is a stone's throw away (breakfast is included).

Another plus were the complimentary transfers into the village of Franschhoek, which meant a boozy lunch was not out of the question. It was unfortunate that it rained for most of our stay, but this is where the thoughtfulness of the staff was evident again: upon collection from lunch at Monneaux, they had brought us umbrellas.

We were sad to leave after our two night's stay, and will definitely be back.

There seems to be no shortage of great places to stay in Franschhoek, but I was really happy with my choice of staying at La Residence. Somehow from the photos I’d gotten the impression it was one of the larger resorts, but it’s actually quite a small, intimate hotel with just 11 rooms, which was a really pleasant surprise. I really loved the ambiance throughout the property, especially in the beautiful open-plan lobby area, with a cosy study / lounge on one end and the dining room on the other. One of my favourite things about it were the roaming peacocks, who aren’t shy at all about coming straight into the lobby to investigate what you’re up to!

I stayed in two different rooms as I extended my stay last minute - rooms 3 and 5. Both were fantastic, and one of the great things about the hotel is that every room seems to have its own unique decor, all in keeping with the property’s distinctive style. It’s really a matter of taste which room you’d like the most - of the two rooms I stayed in, I’d guess most people would prefer room 3 as it’s a very spacious corner room on the ground floor, but I personally liked room 5 even more - generous proportions (as all the rooms seem to have), slightly smaller than room 3 but with a lovely pitched roof and a slightly darker colour scheme, and beautiful orange curtains. It’s especially cosy at night, and one of my favourite hotel rooms I’ve stayed in for a very long time.

The food is also really good - I actually wish I had more of my meals there. The breakfast selection is relatively small but had everything I’d want - quality over quantity! The iced latte was one of the best I’ve had in several months in Africa.

My spa treatment was also excellent and reasonably priced.

I did have a few complaints: by far the biggest, was the hotel does a very poor job of keeping mosquitos out of the rooms, since they do turn down service with doors wide open and lights on. This completely ruined my first night - I woke up covered in bites, and slept a total of around 2 hours, which left me tired the next day. Another slight nuisance was I really wish the hotel pianist would play some music that didn’t conform so strictly to the lobby schmaltz genre - for example, some actual classical music which I’m sure he’s capable of. The piano is also in poor condition - out of tune and in need of some repair, although I am grateful to the hotel for allowing me to try it. Also - the pool could really stand to be heated up a few degrees. Lastly, on departure one of the managers, on hearing that I was planning to visit a Singita lodge in Kruger, suggested I book a night at one of the properties there in the Royal Portfolio, stating that they price slightly under Singita. While the manager seems like a very nice guy and I’m sure was just trying to be helpful, this was simply factually incorrect - they are significantly more expensive than Singita, and it took me quite a bit of back and forth over WhatsApp to discover that.

Beautiful and peaceful setting. Fantastic staff. Lovely facilities. Excellent food and wine. I can’t fault anything.

Our stay at La Résidence in Franschhoek was a mix of positives and disappointments, leaving us with an overall underwhelming impression of this highly-rated resort.

To start, the laundry service was a major letdown. A brand-new T-shirt, worn only once, was returned to me completely ruined, covered in bleach stains, and rendered unwearable. I had provided the hotel with photos of the T-shirt before sending it to the laundry to show it was in perfect condition, but this made no difference. For a hotel of this caliber, such carelessness is unacceptable, and no satisfactory resolution was offered.

Another major disappointment was the food. Given the reputation and price point of La Résidence, we expected a high culinary standard. Unfortunately, the food fell far short of those expectations. While the ingredients were fresh, the dishes lacked flavor and creativity. The meals were bland, flat, and entirely unremarkable – far below the standard you would anticipate from a hotel of this level. In fact, we chose to eat out at other restaurants in Franschhoek every evening, where we enjoyed far superior dining experiences. This speaks volumes about the underwhelming quality of the food at the hotel.

Additionally, we traveled with our children, but it was not made clear before booking that children are not welcome in the main building of the hotel. Instead, families are housed in a separate section, described by the hotel as “more suitable for children.” In practice, this policy felt like an attempt to minimize any potential inconvenience children might cause to other guests. While the facilities in the separate area, such as a dedicated pool, were good, the overall setup felt segregated and not particularly welcoming. We strongly believe this policy should be communicated more transparently on the hotel’s website to avoid misunderstandings.

While the resort’s surroundings are undeniably beautiful and some facilities are excellent, these issues overshadowed our stay. Families should be aware of the hotel’s policies regarding children and consider whether the setup aligns with their expectations. Additionally, the food and laundry service both failed to meet the standard one would expect from a luxury property.

For the price point and reputation, La Résidence did not deliver the exceptional experience we had hoped for.

Most beautiful place - coming back

They steal directly from the safe in the room. We were here from 11/22/224 to 11/25/24. A department of 18 people. Money was stolen from safes from 5 people (they have different citizenships) from $ 1,500 to $ 3,200 on different days and times. The hotel administration, headed by Mr. Greg, does not care at all. They encourage theft from their clients and do nothing to stop the robbery. In some cases, the administration requires that all valuables be kept in safe rooms and does not ensure the safety of the stored items. We wrote a statement to the police and the hotel (there is a copy of the statement and a video). But no one is looking for anything. They are probably waiting for more clients to rob. So be careful! They steal from hotel safes here!

Words cannot express the dream wedding anniversary we experienced at this world class hotel . From the beautiful gardens , sounds of running water and peacocks roaming amongst the guests . The mountains views and vineyards are truly magical .. Our room No 10 was certainly on par with the Silo Hotel in Cape Town as the best of the best . SPECTACULAR. The best for last , the SERVICE was world class Mr Hoon you’r a legend each and every member of your team was “ “next level “ It was an honour to stay at this breathtakingly stunning hotel .

It was good and the whole experience was amazing, it really is worth youe money and their staff are amazing and friendly. Everything is in order and the showers, bedsheets, pillows and food is clean and nice. I would like to come back again and experience this.

The most beautiful stay with the best staff. Our room was huge and stunning with a private pool. We loved it so much!

A classic top class property, small and quiet with real character. And above all the service is awesome. This was a really wonderful experience. The property is incredible and the views are fantastic. The room is classic and specious. Cute gym. The food is very very good. Highly recommend.