La Residence

It’s been a while since I’ve been welcomed into a hotel quite the way that La Residence, in Franschhoek, does it. There's the Royal Portfolio wave, where all the staff assemble to greet you. Stepping through the main entrance, there is an immediate, almost imperceptible decompression of the senses as you are handed a posy of freshly picked roses from the garden.  

The vast sweep of winelands that greets you front and centre could not be more fitting for the expression, a sight for sore eyes. And while I’m not one for the destination dupes trend (because who doesn’t crave the original?), this view could easily be mistaken for the Napa Valley or the vineyards of Tuscany.

A perfectly chilled glass of La Residence’s house-made rosé arrives just in time to cut through the Cape heat, while the quietly confident staff begin to reveal the layers of the property to you.

Royal Porfolio founder Liz Biden’s deft, unmistakable touch is everywhere - with considered ensembles at every turn from the entrance, to the dining room out through to the patio and pool areas - all curated to be entirely transportive.

Why stay at La Residence?

Franschhoek is the embodiment of old-world charm, food, wine and Cape heritage - and you’d be hard-pressed to find a stay that encapsulates all of it quite like La Residence.

What sets The Royal Portfolio apart is how deeply each property is rooted in its surroundings. Here, that translates into a refined balance of total privacy, paired with effortless access to one of South Africa’s most celebrated winelands destinations.

Franschhoek may be small, but its cultural pull is immense. From food and wine festivals, art and book fairs to the highly anticipated debut of the Montreux Jazz Festival this year, the town draws a global crowd. La Residence offers the best of both worlds, with its proximity to the action and the luxury of retreating to something altogether more serene. It’s a place to step out, indulge, and return to be wrapped in beautifully considered, calming surroundings.

What are the rooms like?

At La Residence, no two rooms are the same, and this is a defining philosophy of Liz Biden’s design approach. Each space tells its own story through colour, texture and collected detail, resulting in interiors that feel sometimes theatrical yet personal, with a unique storyline.
In a world saturated with imitation everything, this kind of thoughtful design feels like a bold act of honesty. Not just art on the walls, but a lived-in aesthetic that reminds you why surrounding yourself with beauty still matters.   

I stayed in the Huguenot Suite, one of eleven suites in the main hotel, overlooking the orchard and garden. Apples, olive groves and pinotage vines signalled the shift into autumn, a seasonal aesthetic easily enjoyed from the suite's expansive balcony. The name of the suite pays tribute to the first Huguenots' arrival, and to how they surrounded themselves with newly established, expansive, working gardens.

Inside, the suite's essence is light and joyful, with a bold yellow four-poster bed. There is fine bone china and antique Cape silver decking the coffee station, and the minibar quite literally overflows with local treats, tipples and fine wines. From a lounging area to an expansive working desk complete with antique mirrors and a fine selection of artworks framing the space, the room's layers of texture are sublime to the eye.  

The bathroom, meanwhile, is its own sanctuary: expansive, light-filled, and perfect for long, unhurried soaks with the balcony doors flung open to the winelands beyond.

Time Out Tip: Book one of the five vineyard suites if you’re travelling as a group or family with children of all ages - the added privacy, space and private pools elevate the experience even further. 

La Residence's Franschhoek House is the estate's exclusive-use private villa, featuring six luxurious suites. It is the perfect small-group retreat in the Cape Winelands.

What is the service like?  

Each member of staff at La Residence feels like a natural extension of The Royal Portfolio ethos. From the friendly guest concierge to the attentive duty managers, sommeliers, and waitstaff, they're available to assist on hand without ever feeling intrusive. 

Whether they're suggesting the ideal poolside cocktail or curating a day-trip itinerary to suite your taste, there's a intuitive confidence to the way the team operates. It’s the kind of service that sets an incredibly high benchmark and is not easily matched at this level, in the valley.

What is the food like?

Breakfast is a celebration of the estate itself. A generous continental spread is laid out in the main guest area, bathed in soft morning light, with those vineyard and mountain views, it feels almost painterly. The Terbodore coffee is reason enough to linger. 

Franschhoek’s reputation as a culinary capital means La Residence has serious competition when it comes to dining - but this hotel holds its own. Dinner is a refined, seasonal affair, with standout dishes like wagyu and duck plated with local produce. For special dietary requirements, including vegan, the chef makes a point of checking with guests directly to offer them something personalised to their taste. 

Time Out Tip: Spend at least one evening dining in. You’ll be able to sample extremely limited-batch La Residence wines, paired with precision, bottles you’re unlikely to encounter anywhere else. You can also request a special tasting in the private wine cellar. 

What activities are available?

While La Residence is designed for slowing down and utter relaxation, Franschhoek itself invites exploration.

There is no shortage of places to enjoy the culinary excellence and creativity the town has become renowned for, including Proterge, or standout galleries like Ebony. The ever-popular wine tram offers a curated way to navigate the region’s top estates. For something more immersive, consider MCC and canapé pairings at La Lude', or venture further afield to estates like Tokara, where art and landscape will draw you in equal measure.

The events calendar is just as compelling, from the Montreux Jazz Festival (March), Bastille Day (July), and the Franschhoek Cap Classique Festival (August), all drawing international attention and adding yet another layer to the town’s appeal.  

Time Out Tip: La Residence offers a drop-off and collection service to anywhere within 5km of the hotel, allowing you to enjoy the best of the valley at leisure.

Why book a stay at La Residence?

At this level of luxury, opulent rooms and amenities are entirely expected. Still, with La Residence, the detailed consideration and intricate story threads offer so much more than a high-end stay. It offers a shift in perspective and an in-the-moment sensory experience.

You'll discover the very best creative design that delights, service that is knowledgeable and specialised in a setting that feels almost otherworldly, thanks to its charm and beauty. Whether you’re here for the food, the wine, or to unwind for a special occasion, this is where you'll find Franschhoek at its most elevated.