Akademie Street Boutique Hotel is a luxurious home from home in Franschhoek, the heart of the South African Wine Valley. Individually styled suites and cottages provide a blissful base from which to explore the landscapes, vineyards and Chef's tables of South Africa's Culinary Capital. It is an easy stroll to the renowned restaurants and attractions in the village of Franschhoek and almost all of the most famous vineyards of the Cape Winelands are a short drive away.
Hospitality and comfort lie at the heart of the Akademie Street experience. This luxurious property, complete with wood fired hot tubs and fragrant landscaped gardens, is designed to be a haven of sumptuous tranquility with attention to detail throughout. The discreet, personal service is warm and welcoming, attentive and unlimited. Cape Dutch architecture and scattered antiques reflect the home that Akademie Street has been for 2 centuries.
Breakfast is served daily on the leafy, vine covered patio,and guests can indulge in home roasted granola, freshly prepared smoothies, many different local seasonal fruits and an extensive menu of hot dishes.
The large main pool is solar-heated, so constantly warm, whether you want to swim with the sunrise or under the stars.
The hotel also has a main guest lounge and a library. Every evening at sunset, drinks are served around the open fire in the main courtyard, a sociable celebration of the Franschhoek good life.
Every suite or cottage has an Afrikaans name that connects it to the property’s heritage,and all are uniquely comfortable and full of character.
The 3 cottages each has its own private plunge pool, secluded by leafy hedges and trees, perfect for a cooling midday dip. The 4 suites are all in the main Cape Dutch hotel building.
Directions For Drivers
From Cape Town International Airport: Go directly out of the airport to the N2 and follow the directions to Somerset West. Turn to the left when the sign says Stellenbosch (Baden Powell Drive – R310 – exit 33). Take note of the traffic lights – after the second set of lights at a T-Junction you will need to turn right (you are then almost in Stellenbosch).
Stay on the same road until you come to the industrial commercial area of Stellenbosch. Just on the other side of this area you will once again emerge into the countryside (roughly 8 traffic lights after that first right turn). Look for a sign on the right for ‘Franschhoek, Ida’s Valley.’ You may have to look closely as this sign can sometimes be obscured by leaves.
30 metres after the sign you’ll come to a right turn, take this. Keep going past Boschendal until you reach a T-Junction. Turn right at the T-Junction and drive for a further 15 km – this will bring you to Franschhoek. Drive through Franschhoek towards the outskirts of town. You will see the large white Huguenot Monument in Franschhoek in front of you. Take a left turn. The second road after the left turn is Akademie Street. Turn left and you will see the Akademie Street Boutique Hotel and Guest House sign located in the garden under some large oak trees. The building here is Twyfeling, where you will find reception.
From Cape Town: Take the N1 expressway towards Paarl. Keep going until you reach Exit 47 and the sign for R44/R103 Stellenbosch, Klapmuts, Wellington. Turn right. After 2 sets of traffic lights you will come to a sign for Franschhoek – turn left here.
After around 9 km you’ll see a T-Junction. Take a right turn here and then drive on into Franschhoek. Drive through Franschhoek towards the outskirts of town. You will see the large white Huguenot Monument in Franschhoek in front of you. Take a left turn. The second road after the left turn is Akademie Street. Turn left and you will see the Akademie Street Boutique Hotel and Guest House sign located in the garden under some large oak trees. The building here is Twyfeling, where you will find reception.
From Hermanus/The Garden Route: Follow the signs for the N2. Just outside Bot River take the N2 in the direction of Caledon and look out for a turning to the left to Villiersdorp a few kilometres later. Take this turning. At the T-Junction at Villiersdorp turn left. When you get to a bridge over a large lake, turn right - the sign says Franschhoek. Go over the pass. At the bottom of the pass yhou will arrive in Franschhoek. Look for a sign on the right saying Akademie Street Guesthouses. Follow sign and the guest house is in Akademie Street on the right hand side almost immediately thereafter. Watch for the 'Akademie Street Guesthouses' sign in the garden under the big oaks. The building here is Twyfeling and this is where the reception is.
If you get lost, please call on +27 (0) 82 517 0405 or +27 (0) 21 876 3027.
General Information For Guests
All rooms have a fully stocked minibar and tea/coffee making facilities.
Uitsig Suite is on the upper floor of one of the hotel’s main buildings and is accessed by a private staircase and has a spacious bedroom with a kingsize bed and separate living area. The suite also has a private first floor terrace with views of the nearby Franschhoek mountains. Uitsig also benefits from direct private access to the main gardens, including the heated pool and jacuzzi.
Oortuiging Cottage has Suite A and Suite B. Both suites have a freestanding hand made copper bath, separate shower, underfloor heating, a kingsize bed, and a private wood burning hot tub. The Cottage also boasts its own courtyard and private pool, and private access to the main gardens.
Gelatenheid Cottage consists of 2 suites. Suite 'A' is on the first floor, and has a kingsize bed, a freestanding bath, and a balcony with an outdoor fireplace and outdoor wood burning hot tub. Suite 'B' is on the ground floor, with a kingsize bed, freestanding vintage style bath, and French doors leading to an outdoor fireplace and private wood burning hot tub. The cottage also boasts its own private patio, where guests have exclusive access to a moroccan mosaic private pool, lounging space and hot tub (seats 4).
Vreugde Cottage has an Italian style canopy bed, a freestanding brass bath, separate shower, wood burning stove in the bedroom and underfloor heating. The cottage also have a private garden with a plunge pool, a wood burning hot tub and an outdoor shower, plus a kitchenette, private street access and off street parking.
Twyfeling A, B and C are the 3 suites in the main Cape Dutch Manor House. All 3 have a kingsize bed, a freestanding vintage style bath, separate, shower, and underfloor heating, plus direct private access to the main gardens. 'A' and 'C' also both have a woodburning stove. 'B' and 'C' both share a private courtyard which has vintage patio furniture.
The main gardens boast a solar-heated swimming pool plus a jacuzzi.
It is advisable to pre-book dinner reservations in Franschhoek, especially between October and April. You can either do this directly via www.franschhoek-restaurants.co.za or otherwise please ask your Travel Butlers consultant for assistance.
The Akademie was 6* - I would recommend it to anyone. It got wows from us all. Also the service and attention to detail was unforgettable.