Val d Or Estate

Nestled in the foothills of the magnificent Franschhoek mountains, only a few minutes' drive from the village centre, is a beautiful boutique guest house known for its warm welcome, tangible tranquility and ambience geared to your comfort.

Sink into plump couches in the lounge with its intimate bar, relax alongside the sparkling pool or sip a sundowner on the terrace overlooking vineyards and mountains. Luxuriate in one of the spacious, individually decorated en-suites, wake to birdsong and linger over a bountiful breakfast.

Val d'Or offers 14 double deluxe suites each with its own bathroom and patio offering different views of the swimming pool, garden, dams and surrounding mountains. Each suite has a TV and tea/coffee making facilities, plus under floor heating and air conditioners to ensure your comfort all year round. A wireless hot spot is available in the Barn House. Swimming towels are provided and smoking is allowed outside on the terrace or on your own private patio. Children are welcome.

There is plenty to do in the area besides frequenting the many award-winning restaurants and wine estates in and around Franschhoek: follow hiking trails, go bike or horse riding, indulge in some trout fishing, absorb Franschhoek's French heritage at the Huguenot Museum or enjoy a round of gold at one of the many golf estates in the area. Taste more than 30 delicious South African cheeses at La Fromagerie, then satisfy that sweet tooth at Huguenot Fine Chocolates where you can also enjoy a decadent lesson in chocolate making.

The Franschhoek area is also well-known for its picturesque scenery, best viewed from a paraglider or one of The Flying Company's helicopters. For something even more unusual, various Franschhoek wine estates offer wine-tasting tours on horseback.

Val d'Or provides transfers to and from Cape Town International Airport if required and will happily arrange any activities or tours that their guests may fancy. Stellenbosch are approximately 30 minutes' drive from Franschhoek and both offer larger shopping malls and various other attractions. The coastal town of Hermanus is a scenic day trip which offers superlative whale-watching from the cliffs.

It is a two-hour drive to Blouberg beach on the Atlantic seaboard. This endless, white sand beach offers a postcard view of Table Mountain and is popular with both wind- and kite-surfers.

Val d'Or Guest House is one of Franschhoek's most relaxing and luxurious places to stay, offering easy access to all of the area's many attractions and an idyllic country setting in which to shed city stress.