4 minute read
La Petite Ferme
Where luxury meets landscape in the Cape Winelands
Poised against the majestic Franschhoek mountains in prime wine country, only an hour from Cape Town, La Petite Ferme commands a breathtaking view over the valley and offers an elegant sanctuary to those in the know. While this boutique hotel describes its accommodation as “traditional country-style luxury”, don’t be misled into thinking that La Petite Ferme, which translates to “The Little Farm”, embodies simple rusticity. Instead, it is a refined and tranquil retreat, with exceptional service – even by five-star standards.
IIt was a chilly September weekend when I visited, which is not atypical for the Cape. My husband and I, however, were happily ensconced in a boutique hotel that ensures guests are exceptionally comfortable at all times.
On arrival, we were offered a welcome drink. I selected a glass of Variation, a blend of Shiraz, Grenache and Mourvèdre, all grown on the premises and handcrafted by winemaker Wikus Pretorius. After explaining a little about the property and enquiring if we would like to do a wine tasting or enjoy a meal in the restaurant that evening, operations manager Samantha Swart led us to our room. We stayed in one of the five luxury Vineyard Suites, each with its private plunge pool. The hotel also offers five Manor House Suites and the newly opened Winery Suites, each with shared pools.
Crossing the lawn in front of the restaurant, we walked under a gorgeous old oak tree and along a gravel pathway. Samantha unlocked the glass door to our unit, named Moresque, large and invitingly warm, with expansive windows that give you a staggeringly picturesque view over the valley. The room had a modern, uncluttered feel with warmth and character imbued by the art and the textures of the fabric on the headboard and the blanket at the foot end of the bed. Small touches like the on-trend marble coasters also added to the contemporary feel.
The private plunge pool may be your favourite feature in summer but in the cool weather, mine was the crackling fireplace. While my husband explored the grounds, I lay on the couch watching flames flicker, as content as a napping cat.
Besides the fireplace, a small example of attention to detail in the room – which caused me to feel almost euphoric – was the choice of puffy yet flat pillows on the bed. In general, five-star hotels seem to think that the closer your head rests to heaven, the better. This is not true in my case, and I usually end up with a sore neck. When I complimented Samantha about the selection, she grinned and said, “I fought for those.”
The service and attention to detail are extraordinary at La Petite Ferme and when I asked marketing manager Lizelle Lazarus, “What are the most frequent compliments that you receive?” she responded without hesitation, “Our friendly, heartfelt service and the views!” My experience echoed these sentiments, and I was hardly surprised that the hotel received four accolades at the 2023 Haute Grandeur Global Hotel Awards, including Best Small Hotel in Africa. It was also named Best Luxury Boutique Hotel in South Africa and its restaurant Best Luxury Boutique Hotel Restaurant in Africa at last year’s World Luxury Hotel Awards.
Positioned perfectly above the bustle of Franschhoek’s quaint Franco-inspired village, La Petite Ferme has easy access to the valley’s art galleries, fine restaurants and wine estates and the surrounding mountains also offer an array of hiking and mountain biking trails. However, once you set foot at La Petite Ferme you’ll find it hard to leave.
