Mont Rochelle Hotel & Mountain Vineyards, Franschhoek

This is the perfect hotel for anyone looking for luxury or pure relaxation, with unspoilt views over the vineyards, valleys of Franschhoek and surrounding mountains.

We were upgraded from the lead-in room "Shiraz" to a "Pinotage Suite", although all rooms and suites are beautiful and can offer valley views, along with a fully stocked mini bar which is replenished daily. Each room also offers underfloor heating - a nice added touch.

At check-in we were made to feel welcome, with a cold towel to freshen up and a complimentary arrival drink. From the moment you arrive and are offered a drink, the staff are at pains to make you feel as though the property is your home. All the staff are exceptional and will go out of their way to make sure everything is perfect.

There is so much to enjoy at this hotel. The property boasts a stunning outdoor pool area, which is heated during the winter, along with a range of lawn games. Guests can enjoy a complimentary wine tasting experience once per person during your stay, of which you can stay as long or as little as you like and add on other wines to sample.

MIKO Restaurant is the hotel’s fine dining restaurant named after the original owner, with plenty of options to choose from, including the 6-course taster menu if wanting to try something new. A top-quality breakfast is also served in this restaurant.

You can make use of the free shuttle the hotel provides that caters for excursions within a 10km radius of the property. We went out for dinner locally in Franschhoek and called the hotel to pick us up once finished, which was great. We didn’t need to worry about having to walk back at dark or needing to pay for taxis which was a nice touch.

Top tip: We stayed in the Cap Classique Pool Suite which are built into the side of the hill and have unreal views of the valley. I would recommend these rooms or the Cabernet Rooms as they all have this view, and are in a separate wing from the main house.