About
Staying on a working estate offers an enchanting, immersive way to sample Winelands life. Together with Susan Wessels’ award-winning, Bordeaux-style reds, Vrede en Lust affords a prime location on the Simonsberg mountain’s beautiful slopes, close to the dreamy village of Franschhoek. Family-run like a classy B&B, it also boasts an excellent bistro, great gardens, a classic, Cape Dutch-style farmhouse, a pool and daily wine tastings.
Accommodation
There are three choices, all decorated in an old-fashioned, cosy style. Dating to 1688, the original Manor House contains five bedrooms (some share a bathroom) over two floors. Across the pool sit ten newer, air-conditioned Vineyard Suites sleeping two people apiece. Most spacious are the three Jonkmanshuis (a converted barn and mill) suites, again air-conditioned and each combining two en-suite bedrooms, a lounge and a small kitchenette. Shaded by ancient oak trees, they also come with pool access.
Facilities
That Manor House additionally contains an airy ground-floor lounge, heated by a fireplace when necessary, and a first-floor alternative plus picturesque terrace. The farmhouse kitchen is typically welcoming and busy, and opens onto its own sprawling patio. Outside too are lush gardens, the pool, its neighbouring bar, and a fire-heated boma. And then there’s LUST Bistro & Bakery, a wholesome, artisan restaurant open daily for breakfast, lunch and all naughty snacks in-between.
Activities
Vrede en Lust’s Tasting Centre is open daily, with the Red Lady guides able to offer a range of experiences. Cellar tours are possible by appointment. You can also walk or cycle through the vines, or follow trails into the surrounding forests and mountains, while the nearby, Jack Nicklaus-designed Pearl Valley course beckons for keen golfers. Pretty Paarl and Franschhoek’s galleries, spas and famously-good restaurants are both within 15 miles along the R45 road.
Child Policy
All ages are welcome, with special rates for children aged 3-11 offered on request.
The Best of South Africa Travel map displays the locations of the destinations and accommodation that we have selected and visited; for each item, hovering over or clicking the marker will display a short summary and photo of that place or hotel, and hotel pricing. Follow the links in the info box to the full page listing which has much more information.
Note that the online map offers both a satellite view (click satellite in the top right) and, for some locations, a street level view (Drag the person in the top left onto the map). These let you explore the country; and when you wish to explore in person, or if you have any questions about the places you see, give our staff a call, or request a quote. Our staff regularly visit the places and accommodation that we feature.
When you book a holiday with us we will provide full driving instructions for reaching your accommodation, where necessary; these can be used by yourself, or you could enjoy the luxury of a driver. Alternatively we will arrange private (car rather than coach) transfers for you; helicopter transfers are also possible for some destinations.
