Iconic Le Quartier Francais re-opens following refurbishment

Iconic Le Quartier Francais re-opens following refurbishment

The iconic – and ever-popular – boutique hotel Le Quartier Français, part of the Leeu Collection, located in Franschhoek in the heart of South Africa’s Cape Winelands, has now completed its 18-month-long, ZAR 72 million (approximately £4 million) refurbishment and expansion.

The renovation has created an even more luxurious property of calming contemporary interiors, with splashes of colour for which the hotel has always been recognised. All the hotel’s existing rooms and suites have been upgraded, and an additional five rooms created from what was once office space, bringing the total key count to 32. This figure includes seven rooms in two new villas, which have their own separate entrances and parking offering complete privacy and tranquillity, while enjoying all the benefits of being close to the hotel; the villas provide the perfect base for guests who wish to stay in Franschhoek for a week or more while exploring the region.

The dining options at Le Quartier Français have been greatly improved too. La Petite Colombe, which was established at the hotel in 2017 by the La Colombe team of Silvermist Wine Estate in Constantia fame (www.lacolombe.co.za), was recently named the fifth best restaurant in the country. Its tasting menus focus on the finest local and seasonal produce, recommended with a rare and fine wine selection.

Additionally, the La Colombe team has now taken over the running of the less formal eating areas at Le Quartier Français, opening Protégé. This exciting new all-day restaurant, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, has an open kitchen at its heart and two outdoor areas, one overlooking the hotel’s peaceful gardens and the other on Franschhoek’s main street providing ample opportunities for watching the world go by.

Alternative dining is available at Leeu’s partner restaurants: Tuk Tuk, a craft beer microbrewery in collaboration with the Cape Brewing Company, and Marigold, Franschhoek’ s first authentic Indian eatery, both less than a two-minute walk from the hotel. Additionally, guests are welcome to visit Leeu Estates’ The Dining Room, serving innovative South African cuisine (complimentary transfers are available).

A great part of Le Quartier Français’s charm lies in the fact that it is located on Huguenot Road, the village’s high street, within easy walking distance of all the local attractions, while also providing an oasis of calm, thanks to its tranquil, beautifully scented gardens, which are dotted with sculptures and include a 10m swimming pool for a refreshing dip in the midst of summer and a herb garden, frequently used by the kitchen team. Accessible from the hotel, the Everard Read (everard-read-franschhoek.co.za) gallery displays examples of South Africa’s best contemporary art and sculptures.

Room rates at Le Quartier Francais start from ZAR 7400 in high season (now till the end of April 2019), then drop to ZAR6600 for the four months of the southern hemisphere winter season. These rates are for two people sharing a double room on B&B basis, inclusive of unlimited Wifi access, national phone calls, a complimentary tasting at Mullineux & Leeu Family Wines at Leeu Estates per guest per stay, a scheduled shuttle service to Leeu Estates and 14% VAT.

For more information and to book, visit www.leeucollection.com or call +27 21 492 2222.