A night at Le Franschhoek

Diners Club, thankfully, offered us and many other guests accommodation for the night at Le Franschhoek, which meant we could really enjoy the evening and, because shuttles were provided, no driving was required at all for John. We had a very comfortable room in a quiet setting and a good breakfast the following morning

The entrance portico. Many of you might remember and have visited The Swiss Farm Excelsior in Franschhoek in the past. Le Franschhoek is the Phoenix that rose from the flames, it's the Swiss Farm reincarnated

The terrace next to the restaurant, where you can have breakfast, lunch or dinner

The pool area hasn't changed very much. it used to feature on all the postcards

Our room with its French doors leading out onto its own patio

It is a bit bland, but has everything you want or need. A extra large bed, good linen, air conditioning, because you can't sleep with the French doors open. There is a small lake nearby, which is likely to breed mosquitoes. Also, impressive bedside lamps that can swing over the bed if you want to read. Coffee and tea making facilities and good shortbread biscuits. One thing we notice is that hotels have quite warm duvets and they don't provide a loose sheet under the duvet. As the weather gets warmer, one would throw off the duvet and just need to sleep under a sheet. I suppose you are supposed to turn up the air conditioning, but we hate it, as it dehydrates one badly

We were left a complimentary bottle of wine, much appreciated. There is a bar fridge under the flat screen TV, but no prices and only soft drinks and a bag of crisps. Perhaps Diners Club organised that

We could park outside the room and not have to do the long hill climb up to the reception. It's a nice peaceful room, great if you just want to chill out. There is also a golf cart service, which took us to the room. You can call it to fetch and carry you if you don't want to walk up the steps to breakfast

The restaurant menu, which we found in the hall

Down to breakfast the next morning. It is buffet style, but John was able to order a freshly made omelette. This is the cheese platter next to the cold meats and the smoked salmon

Jams, croissants, Danish pastries and a honeycomb

Lots of fresh fruit, cereals and yoghurt

And the hot breakfast is serve-yourself from the bains marie

Lynne could not resist American pancakes and crisp maple bacon, a reminder of her round the world trip in large global hotels a few years ago, where this was the constant no matter which part of the world you were in. We drank lots of black coffee

John's cheese omelette with 2 different sausages and bacon

Perhaps we should have sat outside? Time to go home after a nice event and a comfortable stay. The staff are a bit vacant and could do with a shake up and some hospitality training, but we are sure that will come

© John & Lynne Ford, Adamastor & Bacchus 2015

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