22 Best Hotels in The Western Cape and Winelands, South Africa

With eight individually designed suites hidden on a leafy street in Franschhoek, this peaceful and modern 19th-century Cape Dutch house is one of the area's best-kept secrets. From the outside, the building looks like a simple white house with green shutters, but inside lies a peaceful, modern-meets-French-Provençal oasis. The quaint courtyard has a pool (three of the suites have their own private pools) and a long dining table shaded by a tent of vines. The rooms are beautifully decorated with distinctive items that are both new and vintage. The hotel does an excellent job at making you feel at home with added treats like pre- and post-dinner drinks and live entertainment (a resident pianist plays in the evenings during high season).

This Victorian guesthouse offers luxurious accommodations and excellent food in the middle of 17,000 acres of rare renosterveld scrubland, home to the endangered geometric tortoise. There's also plenty of springbok, rhebok, bontebok, wildebeest and other creatures around the mountains, streams, and plains. Watch sheep shearing in action, or you can hike, bike, swim, or paddle. Rooms have thick comforters and crisp linens. Ask for one that opens onto the veranda, especially in summer. Rates are full-board, and include brunch, afternoon tea, sundowner drinks, dinner, and two daily activities. There are also two self-catering houses that are ideal for families or groups. 

If whale-watching is on your agenda, you’re unlikely to come across a better spot than this boutique hotel. It has a magnificent location overlooking Walker Bay, where southern right and humpback whales breach just beyond the perpetual line of surfers. On the spacious stone patio, you can lounge on one of the wicker chaises while gazing at the view. The rooms are classic and spacious, peppered with colorful furnishings. The on-site restaurant is open to non-guests as long as you book ahead, meaning you can enjoy this outrageously beautiful view even if you don't stay over.

If you want to be in the center of the village, this stylish guesthouse puts you a stone's throw from the famous whale-watching cliffs. There's a tree-shaded garden and a pretty pool in the courtyard. The rooms are comfortably decorated in French provincial style. Larger rooms with sleeper sofas are great for families or friends traveling together. Ask for a room with a balcony overlooking the bay or a suite that opens onto the pool.

On the banks of the Klein River, Blue Gum is a wonderful place to relax away from the hustle and bustle of Hermanus. The rooms are individually decorated in a style that's part English country house, part colonial outpost. Mosquito nets, crisp white linens, and handsome wood will make you feel a little like a 21st-century Karen Blixen of Out of Africa fame. It's a lovely family-run place with an emphasis on escaping the bustle of city life.

You'll soon feel at home at this pretty Victorian B&B in the heart of the village. It was one of the first guesthouses in Darling, and still offers the best service. The six individually decorated rooms in the main house are all named after local artists whose prints hang on the walls. Three of the rooms are next to the pool. The breakfasts, overflowing with homemade bread and jam and yogurt from the local dairy, are a highlight of a stay here. Enjoy them on the terrace or patio in good weather.

This restored Cape Dutch homestead, built in 1698 and situated on 30 acres of farmland, has rustic decor and spacious rooms with all the creature comforts. If possible, book a room in the old stable with a private patio overlooking the garden. Breakfast is served on an expansive terrace and includes croissants and home-baked breads. The fine-dining restaurant is open from October until May has a three-course set menu that is highly rated by guests. You can enjoy peaceful walks through the orchards and vineyards, take a guided wine tour, or kick back at the pool. 

The rooms and cottages at this 19th-century farmstead are comfortably furnished and decorated in a relaxed country style with floral throws and fresh flowers. Set in a lush garden with rolling lawns and abundant roses and azalea bushes, there is wine tasting on-site, as well as a coffee shop serving tasty cakes and pastries. If you're feeling energetic, try your hand at bass fishing or horseback riding on the estate.

Based in an 1862 manor house, the bright rooms at Green Gables marry splashes of contemporary design with pieces of antique furniture. There's a lovely garden and a verandah that's popular for sundowner drinks. The on-site restaurant, Frida's, is a local hang out, which is always a good sign. You can eat dinner and catch up on all the small-town news.

In the foothills of the Langeberg Mountains, A Hilltop Country Retreat offers spacious and luxurious self-catering accommodations. Decorated with furniture and finishes made by local artists and artisans, each suite is uniquely appointed. Rooms are modern and comfortable, with king-size beds decked out in Egyptian cotton sheets. There are also two fully equipped houses. There are two pools and a barbecue area for all to enjoy. You can self cater, or for an extra fee staff will deliver a DIY breakfast basket to your room.

The stunning flagship property of the Leeu Collection (which also includes Leeu House), this luxurious and sprawling retreat has wonderful views of the mountains and vineyards. The rooms are generous in size, kitted out with natural fabrics and textures and oversized marble-clad bathrooms. There are a million reasons that would warrant a long-term stay, including the on-site spa (with a wide range of treatments) and the tasting room that stocks the award-wining Mullineux & Leeu Family Wines.

Although this contemporary guesthouse is located on the main street in the middle of town, it's so tranquil, you'd think it was in the countryside. Inside, there's a pretty courtyard with a garden and gleaming pool with lounge chairs and a pool bar. Some rooms have clawfoot tubs, others have terraces with small tables and chairs, but they all share a similar classic-contemporary aesthetic. The main house has a front room with comfy seating, an honesty bar, and a roaring fireplace. Leeu House is an excellent choice if you want to be close to the hustle and bustle of Franschhoek, without losing the feel of a wine farm retreat.

This classic guesthouse on the Paarl Wine Route is tastefully decorated in a comfortable and homey style—crisp white linens, wood-frame mirrors, and ornate lampshades highlight each of the guest rooms. An open hearth is popular during winters, as are summer breakfasts on the patio. Other outdoor areas include three gardens and two swimming pools. Some of the best rooms open out onto the garden.

You know you're in good company at the understated and elegant Owner's Cottage on Grande Provence Wine Estate when the visitors' book includes Jude Law and British royals Sophie and Prince Edward. The cottage's six rooms are decorated in muted tones more fitting to a farmhouse than an upmarket residence. The lounge has inviting couches next to a fireplace, underfloor heating, and complimentary sherry. For summer there's a fantastic pool and whirlpool tub. Breakfast is served in a pretty conservatory and includes delicious freshly baked goods and a full cooked breakfast. If the Owner's Cottage isn't available, ask about La Provençale Villa, which is smaller but no less comfortable.

This lodge makes the most of the sweeping views of the Atlantic Ocean; the rooms might be simply decorated, but who needs artwork when at every turn you catch glimpses of the azure sea? At any rate, the rooms are comfortable and—a big plus—they all open onto verandas. The lodge has a restaurant that serves West Coast cuisine, as well as a bar where you can sip cocktails while watching one of the sunsets the West Coast is so famous for.

In one of Greyton's oldest buildings, the Post House is now a convivial hotel with a cheery, small-town welcome. Rooms combine period furnishings with bright, modern touches. There's a homey restaurant, an outdoor pool, and best of all, a quaint pub housed in the old post office.

On the outskirts of the village, this rural abode sits on a ridge overlooking a dam where you can enjoy sweeping views of the surrounding mountains. The thatched suites have modern interiors and private terraces leading to the poolside garden. High ceilings, good-quality linen, and original art in each room contribute to the luxe atmosphere. The restaurant is open daily for breakfast, lunch, and dinner and serves brasserie cuisine with local flavors; meals can be enjoyed on the terrace in good weather or by the fireplace in winter. The cottage across the river has two bedrooms and is a great option for families. 

Originally built as the home of a British missionary, this lovingly restored guesthouse also once served as a school before becoming a hotel with rooms decorated with rich fabrics and luxurious finishes. Two have their own plunge pools, one has a Jacuzzi, and others have generous fireplaces. You're a five-minute stroll away from Franschhoek. On arrival, you're automatically booked in at highly rated Bouillabaisse, the sister seafood restaurant down the road, but you're welcome to eat anywhere in the food lovers' paradise that is Franschhoek.

This old Victorian house has been elegantly transformed into a stylish and comfortable guest lodge; white linen and subtle furnishings create a restful atmosphere. Some bathrooms have Victorian claw-foot tubs. Regularly voted one of South Africa's top-100 dining establishments, the restaurant (which charges around R120 per main course) will likely have you coming back for more, especially for dishes such as roast beef fillet with a verjuice-hollandaise sauce. The menu changes daily, and there are also interesting food-and-wine-pairing dinners that are worth inquiring about. For the lodge, arrangements must be made in advance for children.

Decorated in restful shades of blue and white, this is a great base from which to take long whale-watching walks. Ask for a room with a view and put your feet up while you watch the Southern Right whales splashing in the bay below. Alternatively, take a stroll along the nearby whale-watching cliffs. An honor bar and tea and coffee are available throughout the day.

Hidden among beautiful gardens that extend down to the Lourens River, this peaceful lodge makes a good base for exploring the entire southwestern Cape, including the peninsula, the Winelands, and the Overberg. Large, airy, comfortable rooms with sliding doors open onto the gardens; in the distance the peaks of the Helderberg are visible. D'Vine Restaurant has equally high standards and is regularly voted onto the country's top-100 list. The menu changes seasonally, but the owner is Italian, so there's a strong emphasis on Mediterranean flavors and fresh, local produce.