Akademie Street Boutique Hotel & Guest House is a luxurious home from home in Franschhoek, the heart of the South African Wine Valley.
5 individually styled suites and 3 peacefully situated cottages provide a blissful base from which to explore the landscapes, vineyards and chef’s tables of South Africa’s Culinary Capital.
Hospitality and comfort lie at the heart of the Akademie Street experience. Luxurious property, complete with wood fired hot tubs and fragrant landscaped gardens, is designed to be a haven of sumptuous tranquility with attention to detail throughout.
From organising wine tours, to providing low-key conference facilities, serving a perfect sundowner or setting you up for the day with hotel's legendary breakfast, the experience is bespoke, indulgent and truly unique.
The discreet, personal service is warm and welcoming, attentive and unlimited.
HISTORY
The Akademie Street story starts with a single whitewashed 19th century Cape Dutch house in one of the oldest towns in South Africa.
The Oortuiging building dates to around 1860 and provided the starter stones for Akademie Street as hotel’ve grown through the years, from a base for exploring the heritage of the wine-loving Huguenots, to one of the most highly rated luxury hotels in historic Franschhoek, the heart of wine country.
Hotel's team are proud to be award winning for hotel facilities, peace and privacy, as well as the exceptional five star Akademie Street service that always goes the extra mile.
From luxe details, such as private plunge pools and wood fired hot tubs, to the garden setting, and thoughtfully designed suites and cottages. Hotel's ethos is a luxurious home from home for all hotel's guests – your story starts here.
Step over the threshold at Akademie Street and feel instantly at home.
Hotel's team firmly believe that guests should be spoiled, from luxurious bedding to laundry on request and antiques in each room.
Every moment of your stay with team counts, no matter how short, and – just like visiting an old friend – nothing is too much trouble.
Sunscreen and towels for the pool, access to the extensive library, pastries and coffee in the afternoon, a selection of local wines to taste – your room rate is all you pay.
Attention to every luxurious detail is something hotel's team takes great pride in. From a mobile phone preprogrammed with numbers for all the local wineries, to rooms and suites that are designed for the kind of comfort that leaves a lasting impression.
Airy interiors, high quality linens, exceptionally comfortable beds, room to relax and individual touches are designed to make Akademie Street a luxurious home from home you’ll never want to leave.
Every suite or cottage has an Afrikaans name that connects it to the property’s heritage – all are uniquely comfortable and full of character.
One of two suites in the Cape Dutch style cottage, the largest cottage on site. This is a plush one bedroom suite on the first floor, complete with separate dressing room and luxurious free standing bath.
Indulgence continues with the private sun drenched balcony and outdoor fireplace. The balcony also features a discreetly positioned outdoor Victorian soaking tub from which to make the most of the scenic vistas all around, whether in the sun or under the stars.
A country chic charm throughout, this suites has signature luxe bedding to ensure utter comfort throughout your stay. Cool off in its shared plunge pool, relax in the shared wood burning hot tub or enjoy a peaceful moment in the sunshine in Gelatenheid’s secluded courtyard. It's up to you!
Lose yourself in the wonderful Cape Dutch charm of Gelatenheid B suite, one of two suites that make up Gelatenheid cottage, largest cottage on site.
Luxury and relaxation are the signatures of the suite’s interiors, from the freestanding bath to elegant bedding.
The spacious living and dining areas designed for relaxation and ease, flooded with light from elegant French doors and intuitively equipped.
Step outside into the Franschhoek sunshine and take a dip in its shared plunge pool or shared wood fired hot tub, or curl up on the shady loungers with a book and snooze the afternoon away.
Every detail has been carefully considered. Gelatenheid B is perfect for privacy, with a separate entrance to the hotel gardens, as well as the main street.
One of two suites in the historic Oortuiging cottage. Each suite is private and luxurious, complete with cosy snug and decadent canopy bed.
A freestanding bath and Cape-style antiques give Oortuiging A a fascinating charm, and touches such as underfloor heating and hotel's signature luxe linens ensure utter comfort throughout your stay.
Take a dip in its private wood burning hot tub or shared plunge pool or enjoy a peaceful moment in the sunshine in Oortuiging’s secluded courtyard.
Lose yourself in the peaceful seclusion of the luxurious Oortuiging B, one of two suites that make up Oortuiging cottage, the heritage building.
Luxury is the signature of the suite’s interiors, from the freestanding copper bath to spacious living room and elegant canopy bed.
Every detail has been carefully considered including underfloor heating, with its shared plunge pool and private wood burning hot tub and warm, comfortable furnishings.
Oortuiging is perfect for privacy, with its own sunkissed garden and private gate that leads into the main garden of the hotel.
Here you will find old world luxury combined with contemporary comforts, design features such as the stunning glass roofed bathroom with its sunny but private feel.
One of two suites in a Cape Dutch style house, Twyfeling A is a self contained space in the hotel’s main building.
An ultra comfortable bed, separate bath and shower and elegant aesthetic give Twyfeling A is comfortable, sophisticated style.
Venture into the Twyfeling lounge to explore the library or tinkle the ivories of the baby grand piano.
The suite also has private access to the shady gardens and heated main pool, as well as the Twyfeling courtyard with its distinctive outdoor fireplace.
Twyfeling B is one of two suites located in the main hotel building, an elegant Cape Dutch style house that is spacious and light.
With separate bath and shower, luxurious king size bed and thoughtfully decorated interiors, Twyfeling B offers a haven where you can truly relax.
This suite also has direct access to the heated main pool and nearby courtyard with fireplace.
Spacious and airy, Uitsig is a firm favourite with guests thanks to its elevated position and peaceful feel. A one bedroom suite on the upper floor of one of the main buildings, Uitsig has a private terrace with uplifting views of the surrounding mountains.
The terrace is accessed through French doors that flood the room with warm Franschhoek sunshine.
The suite is exceptionally well equipped, from the sumptuous kingsize bed dressed with high quality linens, to the decadent bathroom, chic living space and kitchenette.
One of the most private suites and yet only moments from hotel's sunny breakfast spot and heated main pool.
Franschhoek is the Culinary Capital of South Africa. With 8 of South Africa’s Top 100 restaurants located here you are perfectly placed for a journey of tantalising tastes and haute cuisine delights.
At Akademie Street it is hotel's legendary breakfast that puts us on the local culinary map. Served daily on the leafy, vine covered patio, indulge in home roasted granola, freshly prepared smoothies, 15 different local seasonal fruits and an extensive menu of hot dishes.
Given the extensive range of restaurants within walking distance, formal dining at Akademie Street is breakfast-only. However, hotel's home is your home, from the free fully stocked minibar to the expresso coffee machine in your room.
Every evening at sunset, drinks are served in the private courtyard, a sociable celebration of the Franschhoek good life. If you love a nightcap by the fire when you return from dinner, you’ll always find a warming selection of digestif and spirits waiting for you – or hot chocolate it you prefer.
South Africa is famous for its sunshine and dry climate and the Western Cape has a pleasant heat that rarely reaches searingly uncomfortable temperatures. Summer (October – February) is hot and sunny while winter (May – July) brings crisp sunshine, cooler nights and the odd refreshing shower. Even cooler winter days give the British summer a run for its money.
Given this warm climate you can enjoy sun and swim at Akademie Street all year round. There are 4 pools and 3 wood burning hot tubs, as well as plenty of shady or sunny spots populated with luxurious vintage loungers. Prime location guarantees sunshine virtually from dawn to dusk.
3 guest cottages each has its own private plunge pool, secluded by leafy hedges and trees, perfect for a cooling midday dip. You can sunbathe in complete privacy or float for hours in your own private pool. A large main pool is solar-heated, constantly warm, whether you want to swim with the sunrise or under the stars.
Every aspect of sun and swim is catered for at Akademie Street, from thick fluffy towels, to sumptuously comfortable loungers. Hotel also has all the essentials covered, from hats and sunscreen to water to rehydrate.
Safe, peaceful and easy to travel to, the town of Franschhoek is the perfect base from which to explore the vast natural beauty of this part of the world, as well as the mouthwatering intensity of South Africa’s culinary heartland. The breathtaking Franschhoek Valley lies between nature reserves and mountain peaks in one of the most scenic parts of the Western Cape.
Spend your time at the spa, horse riding, hiking or fly fishing, explore the valley museums and galleries or play a few rounds of golf on some of the most picturesque greens in the world. Relaxation is inevitable.
At the heart of Franschhoek is its wine and food. 40 exceptional wine cellars are matched by restaurants serving world-class cuisine - 8 of South Africa’s Top 100 restaurants are located here, as well as 1 of the Top 50 restaurants in the world.
The combination of haute cuisine dining and iconic local fine wines is a heady and memorable mix.
Hire bicycles and explore the town or its mountain bike trails
Gastronomy is at the heart of life in Franschhoek and there are some fantastic festivals that celebrate the wine and food that has made this area great, as well as the ancestors who founded it.
Explore Franschhoek and its mountains on foot!
This fertile ground is where the French first made wine in South Africa 300 years ago.
Passengers aboard the hop-on hop-off tour will experience a unique and leisurely way to see the Franschhoek Valley.
Play golf nearby at one of 7 golf courses nearby.
Experience the fascinating history of Robben Island – a place of banishment, exile, isolation and imprisonment for over 400 years.
Table Mountain is Cape Town’s most famous icon and, as part of the Western Cape Floral Kingdom, was declared a World Heritage Site in 2004.
AKADEMIE STREET GUESTHOUSES
5 Akademie St Franschhoek, 7690South Africa