Leeu Estates

The Classic Rooms at Leeu Estates are situated in the Manor House and the Max and Protea Houses, offering guests a selection of views including the farm dam, manicured gardens, vineyards and mountain backdrops. Each of these rooms has a king-size bed which can be converted to two twins, a desk/dressing table, a comfy lounge area with plush armchairs and large windows that offer incredible views. The en-suite bathroom is spacious, with twin basins, a toilet and a walk-in shower.

The slightly larger Deluxe Rooms are located in the Manor House and Cellar Cottage, where guests can enjoy the magnificent view of the manicured gardens, vineyards and mountain backdrop. The deluxe rooms consist of a spacious open plan bedroom and living area with a king-size bed, writing desk, comfy armchairs and a flatscreen TV. The stylish rooms are decorated with neutral colours and feature large surround windows with either curtains or shutters, creating a bright and airy space. The rooms also feature an en-suite bathroom with twin basins and a large tub.

Each Studio room has its own terrace where guests can admire the stunning views over the beautifully landscaped gardens and vineyards and the looming Franschhoek Mountains behind them. The suites are located above the Leeu Spa at the Manor House, giving them easy access to the gym, spa and swimming pool. The king-size beds are fitted with soft sheets and additional pillows, with a small living area beside the toasty fireplace. The terrace has additional seating with coffee tables and footstools to provide a luxurious space for admiring your beautiful surroundings.

The spacious Executive Suites feature a large bedroom with a king-size bed and plenty of space for moving around and relaxing. The suites have their own separate lounge area with a roaring fireplace and supportive armchairs as well as a comfy sofa and flatscreen TV. The en-suite bathrooms are huge, with twin basins, a walk-in shower and a luxurious bathtub. Situated in The Manor House and Max House, the suites offer amazing views over the beautiful manicured gardens, vineyards and the mountains that fill the horizon.

The Executive Suite with Terrace rooms are even larger than the standard executive suites, with a spacious bedroom, complete with a king-size bed, and plenty of space for moving around and relaxing. The suites have their own separate lounge area with a roaring fireplace and supportive armchairs as well as a comfy sofa and flatscreen TV. The en-suite bathrooms are huge, with twin basins, a walk-in shower and a luxurious bathtub. Situated in The Manor House and Cellar Cottage and Protea House, the suites offer various views over the beautifully landscaped gardens, stretching vineyards and stunning mountainscape. These can be best enjoyed from the comfort of your private terrace, one of which has a hot tub that is available on request.

Surrounded by acres of beautiful vineyards and nestled against the slopes of the impressive Dassenberg Mountain, Fynbosch Cottage is a luxurious setting for enjoying a Wineland retreat. The cottage includes its own private garden with a refreshing plunge pool, outdoor hot tub and veranda where guests can enjoy the panoramic views.

Guests can walk under flower arches to the entrance of the idyllic building, where indoors you will find a spacious bedroom with a comfy king-size bed, a separate living room and dining area with various armchairs and sofas gathered around a warm fireplace and flatscreen TV, and a large bathroom with a shower with a partition for privacy, and relaxing bathtub. The cottage also includes a dedicated butler who will tend to your needs throughout your stay.

Max House is an original gabled building that highlights the hotel’s Cape Dutch heritage. The courtyard includes a private garden and is surrounded by a sweeping vineyard. Indoors, guests will find an Executive Suite and two Classic Rooms, as well as a large living room with a grand fireplace and a dining room. Beautiful artworks are displayed across the walls of the house, which add a splash of colour and expression to each of the rooms. Max House also features a pantry and a kitchen, which can be arranged to be used by a private chef.

Vineyard Cottage features a beautiful terrace with a private pool and charming garden area which overlooks the stunning vineyards and distant mountains. The cottage features two bedrooms and a shared living room with a roaring fireplace, supportive armchairs, a comfy sofa and a dining area. Both bedrooms are very spacious and include a king-size bed, a small seating area and a desk. The Vineyard Cottage offers easy access to Leeu Spa and the gym.

Cellar Cottage is housed in the original cellar, which is now a heritage building with incredible views of the manicured gardens and vineyards. The bedrooms are made up of an Executive Suite with Terrace, and a Deluxe Room. There are two additional terraces that lead from the cottage’s shared living room and offer idyllic outdoor seated areas where guests can relax and enjoy the tranquillity of the private garden and lawn. The living room includes sofas, armchairs and a toasty fireplace. A sofa bed can also be provided in the lounge for children.

The Oaks is a recent addition to Leeu Estates, which focuses on offering a private family home away from home. With luxurious decor and amazing views of the beautiful Franschhoek Valley, guests can enjoy a relaxing stay in the heart of the vineyards. The two bedrooms both include king-size beds, extra blankets and a writing desk, as well as 180-degree views of the greenery, and lead to en-suite bathrooms with showers. The shared living room is spacious and features comfy armchairs and a sofa gathered around a coffee table and wood burning fire. The estate has a private parking bay at the entrance of the cottage and a vast outdoor space to enjoy, including a private terrace with a hot tub and a lawn.

Protea House rests above one of the earthen dams on Leeu Estates, surrounded by the beautiful indigenous Fynbos plants and acres of vines. Guests can enjoy sweeping views of the stunning natural landscape and surrounding mountains from the comfort of the private garden, where you can sit on the terrace and enjoy a meal in your outdoor dining area, take a dip in your own refreshing swimming pool, or relax on the swinging tree bench with a book from Leeu Estates’ library. The house includes three luxurious bedrooms with king-size beds, seating areas and flat-screen TVs, as well as a lounge where guests can congregate and enjoy some quality time together. There is also a pantry and barbeque area, giving guests a full tropical experience.

La Petite Colombe is the sister restaurant of La Colombe, an award-winning and world-renowned restaurant based in the Constantia wine region of South Africa. Guests can enjoy a selection of delicious seasonal meals made from fresh local produce created by La Petite Colombe’s talented team of chefs. Enjoy mouth-watering cuisine with a recommended beverage from the hotel’s rare and fine wine selection.

Located in The Manor House at Leeu Estates, Le Chêne offers a fine variety of dishes inspired by French cuisine made with freshly grown local ingredients and created by the multiple award-winning chef Darren Badenhorst. Le Chêne derives from the Dutch for ‘French corner’, referencing Franschhoek’s history as a refuge for French Huguenots who fled France during the 17th century. The restaurant offers incredible views of the quaint valley, sweeping vineyard and gardens and the backdrop of the mountains.

Visit Leeu Estates’ sister property, Le Quartier Français, and discover the amazing fine dining experiences available at Protégé and Epice.

Protégé is a casual restaurant at Le Quartier Français, where guests can enjoy seasonal meals, freshly prepared by a team of chefs. At Protégé, young chefs are given the opportunity to showcase their talent.

Epice comes from the French word for spice, and features a flavoursome menu inspired by international cuisine from the team’s trips to India, Spain, Japan, Mexico, Denmark and America. The intimate fine dining restaurant is run by head chef Charné Sampson, and offers a range of delicious and unique dishes to cater for every palette.

Visit Leeu Spa and enjoy a range of soothing treatments and holistic experiences while admiring the sweeping views of the vast vineyards. The expert therapists offer a tailor-made spa day with natural products by Healing Earth that are designed to relax and rejuvenate.

The spa also offers special treatments for children aged between 6 and 12 so that they can join in on the fun.

Indaba is a stunning meeting venue at Leeu Estates for Leeu Collection guests where they can view Leeu’s stunning art collection. The works create a cultural setting for a variety of functions, such as press briefings, seminars, business meetings, exhibitions and launches. Guests can also utilise the private terrace which offers sweeping views of the grounds.

Indaba is 140 square metres and has its own lift, boasts wireless audio and video conferencing equipment, as well as an 80-inch television screen and high-speed wi-fi.

All guests receive a complimentary wine tasting at the Wine Studio during their stay, which offers a unique and immersive experience where guests can learn about the process of handcrafting wine. The Mullineux & Leeu team will teach guests about the different wines and pairings. There are three tutored tasting options to choose from, including Signature, Single Terroir and Leeu Passant. One Signature tasting session is included in your stay and booking is advised.

Guests can arrange for other activities with Leeu’s concierge such as bike tours, hiking in the Mont Rochelle Nature Reserve, a trip to the Franschhoek Wine Tram, Franschhoek Motor Museum, visits to the Franschhoek Huguenot Monument, and various full-day and half-day wine tours.

The Leeu Collection established the Leeu Learning Centre, to serve as a safe space where younger people living in the Franschhoek valley can access free, quality online education and assistance with homework. By providing modern equipment and technology to aid with learning and professional support, children are able to develop their skills quickly and access a wealth of information online. Becoming more confident with computers is essential as the world’s workplace moves into a digital age, and by expanding their knowledge, the children at Leeu Learning Centre are able to broaden their career opportunities. Older students can also use computers for job and educational applications which are only available online.

The Leeu Learning Centre is open from 9 am until 7 pm each weekday, providing a quiet study space for children who may not have this at home. As well as modern computers, the centre also features printing and photocopying equipment, and a small library which is currently being expanded.

The Leeu Collection supports the Franschhoek-based Kusasa Project Early Learning Centre, a school that currently helps 120 children from disadvantaged backgrounds. The project aims to help children with their educational and personal development in the crucial early years, building the starting blocks for their education and helping to end the cycle of poverty.

‘We look to raise the quality of education in the community in order to develop literate, compassionate, respectful, communicative, imaginative, multi-lingual students who are well prepared to make a positive impact in the future. Using a “whole-child” approach, our teachers begin with the understanding that each child deserves to be healthy, safe, engaged, supported and challenged to reach their potential.’