“I felt my lungs inflate with the onrush of scenery—air, mountains, trees, people. I thought, ‘This is what it is to be happy’. ” Sylvia Plath’s words, and a perfect descriptor for my staycation at La Petite Ferme in Franschhoek. The blue chip property rests in a prime position on the slopes of the Oliphants Pass and Middagkrans Mountain Range with an unrivalled outlook across the Valley. It’s one of the Western Cape‘s iconic boutique hotel destinations and one of the Valley’s most established and enduring estates.
Pic by Alessia Collura
A (WAY OVERDUE) RETURN VISIT
2018 was a year I reconnected with exceptional places. I found myself back at Lanzerac in Stellenbosch after an absence of 35 years and then did a staycation at La Petite Ferme, my first time there since 1990 when I’d gone for lunch with fiancé – now husband of 30 years –Paul van der Spuy. That’s us circa 1990! 👇
CUISINE & WINE
French toast!
After a fire razed the original restaurant to the ground in May 1996, the owners and staff threw their weight behind the rebuild efforts and the new restaurant opened for business in record time six months later. Today it sports a fresh, modern look and Chef Kyle Norris has done wonders with the cuisine, described as ‘country cuisine with a fresh contemporary touch’. Of his success he is quick to point out that it’s all about teamwork, saying, “with camaraderie among Chefs and our team as intense as a tarragon reduction for béarnaise, our single existence is to make people happy.”
Breakfast is a feast!
La Petite Ferme MCC
Art imitating life – the display plates are an innovative touch
One of the highlights for visitors is the vine orientation and wine tasting conducted by Avron Williams. LPF is also a boutique winery that produces a full range of top drawer wines and Method Cap Classique (MCC). Cellar and orientation tours are by appointment and the tasting venue just beneath the restaurant is a beautifully styled space.
The entrance to the wine tasting room
THE AFRICA SUITE
La Petite Ferme offers traditional, country style luxury. There are four Manor House Suites and five Vineyard Suites and following a major refurb of the latter in 2017, each suite now carries a contemporary look and feel with interiors by Clinton Savage, a far cry from the original reed ceilings and Cape cottage-style furnishings and décor. Floor-to-ceiling windows allow natural light to flood in. Whether indoors or on the patio with its private splash pool, you’re constantly drawn to the dreamy views.
I stayed in the Africa Suite – muted tones interspersed with bold graphics with plush carpeting giving way to cool marble tiles underfoot. As far as the exterior goes, Savage hasn’t strayed too far from the Cape vernacular (an informal version of the old Cape Dutch style), paying careful attention in his re-imagining to the heritage of the farm and the area.
peacock visitors
Bathing with views beyond- floor to ceiling windows show off the valley beautifully
The patio
THE PEOPLE
Staff go out of their way to craft an exceptional guest experience. The team clearly relish guest interaction, something valued even more after hard Lockdown prevented social interactions for so long.
Avron and Estie Williams
CHANGING SEASON
Autumn is here, my favourite showstopper of a season. As the summer slips away, there’s a window period of predictable balmy days and soft sunshine. It’s a particularly glorious time to celebrate life in the Franschhoek Valley, so why not book a fall staycation at LPF and explore the village? Any time of year will satisfy though, as each season brings its own magic.
My staycation at La Petite Ferme was arranged through Manley Communications. All opinions are my own.
La Petite Ferme: Franschhoek Pass Road, Franschhoek / + 27 21 876 3016 / www.lapetiteferm.co.za
À bientôt!
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