Book the Mont Rochelle with VIP Benefits

The Mont Rochelle Boutique Retreat is located high up in the Franschhoek Valley. It blends rustic appeal with refined luxury. Rolling hills and breathtaking mountain views surround this estate. The rooms, fine dining, and attentive, warm service invite guests to unwind, enjoy the local flavors, and soak up the beauty of South Africa.

Overview

Sir Richard Branson and his crew took over the estate in 2014. They replanted each vine on the 96-acre property. The Virgin team brought back the life of this wine farm, restoring the parts described as a 'late twentieth-century Cape Revival'. They hired Kritzinger Architects for the redesign and Hotcocoa, a local Cape Town design studio, to bring the interior to life.

Mont Rochelle has more to offer than drinking a glass of wine and relaxing by the swimming pool. You can rally around the stunningly designed tennis court. Moreover, the outdoor lounge is next to the court. On the lawn in front of the gym, you can also play croquet for a more sweat-free ball game!

Beyond garden games, guests can also explore the grounds surrounding the hotel by having a picnic. Of course, the wine is all grown, made, and packaged on the premises.

Location

The hotel is at the foot of the Klein Dassenberg Mountain range. It offers an excellent view of Franschhoek's mountainous valley. It's beautifully located on a 39-hectare wine farm and feels more like a rural retreat. However, it is a short 30-minute walk from the high street of Franschhoek. This area has galleries, boutiques, and restaurants. Cape Town is also a 45-minute drive away.

Service & Facilities

All staff are well-trained and carefully chosen to ensure that your holiday is a success. The facilities include a large heated swimming pool with great views, a gym, and a sommelier. Shuttle service is available to take you to Main Street. You can also play croquet on the grass and use the tennis courts. The valley also offers wine tours, hiking trails, cycling, and trout fishing.

Rooms

There are 26 rooms and suites. The rooms in the first homestead include a wide range of rooms, each with a category. You can also opt for the Shiraz rooms with valley views, or the Cabernet rooms located in the newest wing. These large rooms have sliding doors that open to a furnished terrace and even more views.

No matter what, the decor is elegant. You'll find unique pieces chosen from local gallery-decor shops. There are big upholstered beds with eye-catching fabrics, soft mohair blankets, and more. Moreover, each room has a TV, an iPod docking station, and a tea and coffee maker. There is also a fully stocked minibar and snacks.

Mont Rochelle also has Manor House, which is one of the most exclusive villas on the Cape. The villa has four bedrooms, a living room, a kitchen area, two pools, and a gym.

Dining

Miko, the main restaurant of Mont Rochelle, and Country Kitchen are its two other restaurants. MIKO takes its name from the former owner and is the signature fine dining restaurant of the stunning hotel.

Miko's menu is a 'taster of South African favourites' and aims at 'telling a story.' Moreover, all the ingredients are local, from the parsley and rosemary grown on the premises to the olives and other fruits picked locally.

While vegetables and trout are raised in the valley, the lamb, springbok, and other animals are farmed on the neighboring farms. MIKO also serves a breakfast of fresh fruits, yogurts, and cheeses, along with hot egg dishes.

You will find The Country Kitchen on the opposite end of the estate. This informal but smart daytime eating spot dates back just to after World War II. The original cellar is over 150 years old.

The wine tastings are also open to hotel guests and visitors from The Wine Tram. You can also enjoy them with gourmet meals. The menu includes everything from calamari deep-fried to the 200g CK beef burger.

Wellness & Leisure

Two Spa treatment rooms and a hammam are available to help you recover from lingering symptoms of hangovers. Enjoy a couple's massage using eco-friendly products that use essential oils and plant extracts.

You can also try the Swedish deep tissue massage "Little Rock" to relieve tension. The restorative Soul of Africa is a ritual treatment inspired by Africa. It helps boost skin hydration. A detox mud mask and massage with Africa's Miracle Oil 'Marula' will also treat skin that is inflamed or sun-damaged.

Mont Rochelle's spa offers Africology eco-friendly products. They're crafted from natural oils and plant extracts. Guests on the Cape Malay Spice Journey can select their favorite spices and herbs for custom treatments from an apothecary.

Area & Activities

Franschhoek is a charming vineyard town located in the Western Cape, just one hour's drive from Cape Town. It is a rural getaway that offers a contrast to city life. The town has become renowned as the culinary capital of South Africa.

Moreover, the Franschhoek tram is a notable attraction. It is one of the more glamorous trams you will encounter. You can hop on and off to experience the various wine-related activities that are available in Franschhoek. These include tastings, cellar tours, and vineyard meals.

Ten lines pass through estates in the vineyard valley, giving you easy access to some of the best producers and farms. The tram offers a unique way to discover the Huguenots who settled in the valley over 300 years ago. Franschhoek is what it is because of its knowledge and passion for winemaking.

Takeaway

Mont Rochelle offers more than a hotel. It is a haven in the middle of the Franschhoek Valley. Every detail, from the dining service, will make your stay a truly memorable one. This hotel and vineyard will help you unwind. You can explore the vineyards or relax in a lovely room.