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The picturesque La Cotte House is the heart and soul of the lovely La Cotte Estate and is available for private rent along with the Lake Cottage and Pool Room. The estate itself is located at the back of Franschhoek village against a backdrop of soaring mountains and surrounded by pretty gardens and olive trees. The house was originally built by Swiss naturists who had total privacy in mind and today, it’s as exclusive as ever. Externally, the traditional Cape Dutch architecture remains but inside, the interiors are exquisite and perfectly stylish. Add to that a modern, solar-heated swimming pool and this is the perfect place for a family or group stay in the Cape Winelands.
From $120 person/night
The feeling of living like a local in your own farmhouse – but with all the best added extras!
If you fancy a night away from the gourmet offerings in the village there’s a pizza-oven and wood-burning braai on the terrace, just waiting for you to cook up a storm.
Although a lovely place to bring the kids neither the pool or the lake are fenced so do keep an eye on them.
The largest of the three buildings, the Main House is where you’ll probably spend most of your time. Elegantly decorated and filled with interesting antiques, it’s wonderfully airy and light thanks to the high ceilings and French windows. Designed with entertaining in mind, the oak-floored living and dining area is all open plan and if you’re a budding chef, look no further than the kitchen. Kitted out to highest spec with no less than two fridges, two ovens and a separate scullery, it makes cooking a pleasure. Outside, you’ll find a solar-heated pool, sauna (in the Pool Room) and an enormous, wraparound veranda.
The Main House has four bedrooms, all on the ground floor: one master suite with a King size bed and ensuite bathroom with freestanding tub, two further bedrooms that can either be Kings or twins (both are ensuite) and a family or kid’s room with four single beds. Each room is quirky and just as lovely as the next with textiles from different corners of the continent and beautiful artwork on the walls. The Lake Cottage has two further ensuite bedrooms and a separate living area and kitchen, making it totally separate from the main house if that’s what you’d like.
La Cotte is within easy reach of some of the most spectacular wine farms in the area so it would be rude not to sample the very best of Franschhoek’s food and grapes! Hire a car and driver and make the most of the superb offerings. The village is also a lovely place to spend a morning or an afternoon, ambling in the sunshine or people-watching at coffee shops. Closer to home, sit back and share a bottle of wine whilst you take in the stunning 360-degree views from the comfort of the veranda. Local life has never looked so good!