New Franschhoek option – Vrede in Lust

Jene from New Frontiers recently stayed at Vrede en Lust, a new property situated just outside Franschhoek that’s a nice option for space in the Winelands at that good 4* level.

First Impression
The overall feeling is that of a grand and historic estate, located perhaps a little close to the road at the R45 & Klapmuts Rd intersection at Simondium. Vrede en Lust means ‘peace and delight’ in Dutch – and taking the turn-off from the busier road onto the smaller dirt track leading to the accommodation, you are greeted with superb vineyard views, beautiful gardens and old Cape Dutch buildings.

Location
Nestled at the foot of the Klapmuts Road, and a short drive from Franschhoek (approx. 15kms), Vrede en Lust was established as a working wine farm more than 300 years ago. Today the estate boasts a wine-tasting centre, accommodation, brand-new conference and event facilities, a wedding venue and an award-winning bistro-bakery called ‘Lust.’

Rooms & Décor 
The estate offers three accommodation types: the self-catering Manor House (sleeps 10); Jonkmanshuis Cottages (x3 cottages, each sleeping 4 guests), and the Vineyard Suites (sleeps 2). The latter is perfect for discerning travelers looking for a sophisticated stop-over and would be New Frontiers’ preferred choice for international guests.

Vineyard Suites (x10) –  located in a courtyard-style setup with all rooms leading off a little square. A crisp, clean, modern interior – here, the luxury is in the small details you wouldn’t necessarily expect of the suites that feel a bit sparse and cold at first glance. Upon entering, guests will find stylish wall art, fresh flowers and Charlotte Rhys essentials, all of which add a softer touch. The decor of these newly built suites is super-modern – in stark contrast to the neighboring manor house and cottages that date back to the 15th century. Think: mirrored cupboard doors, crisp white linen, contemporary bathroom fittings and folding glass doors that spill out onto small patios with a view of the vineyards. These suites also come with a mini bar fridge (not stocked) and a kettle.

The Jonkmanshuis – in the original Cape Dutch buildings, x3 spacious cottages, each sleeping 4 guests per cottage (x2 double beds per cottage), are located alongside each other. Each of these cottages are at the opposite end of the scale – more rustic and traditional in style with wooden floors, cozy wooden fire places and 2 ensuite bedrooms. Bathrooms are not as modern as the Vineyard Suites, but are clean, functional and also feature the signature Charlotte Rhys amenities. These cottages also don’t have a private outdoor patio area but there is a small communal pool with lounges available for in-house guests.

Manor House – beautiful building with foundations dating back over 300 years with original Cape Dutch architecture and an old world charm. The luxury house accommodates 10 guests in its 5 bedrooms (x4 doubles & x1 twin ) and it is vast with plenty of nooks and crannies.

Dining
Breakfast is served at Lust Bistro & Bakery and is included. Dinner arrangements for parties staying in the Manor house can be catered for by the chefs at Lust and it’s important to note the bistro is open for breakfast and lunch only (07.30am – 17.00).

Highs

• A well-priced option for those wanting a vineyard setting
• A small swimming pool and pool house located in the well-established gardens

Lows

• Its location some distance from Franschhoek means guests will have to make their way to and from dinner at night
• We could hear some traffic from the Jonkmanhuis Cottages which are located closest to the road – this shouldn’t be an issue with the Vineyard Suites which are further away