This is an extraordinary boutique hotel. Their attention to detail is extraordinary and the decor, gardens and staff are the cream of the crop! Babs and Carin are so warm and welcoming and Declan the Host Extraordinaire was incredibly welcoming and knowledgeable ….and indeed planned every minute of our 3 night stay and we had a truly fabulous time! From the best restaurants in town (French Connection, Rueben & Allora) and a perfect selection of great wineries, from family run, to bling wineries and oldest. Every recommendation Declan made was spot on the money! One of a kind experience…highly recommend!

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Absolute Perfection at Akademie Our 3-night stay in the honeymoon room at Akademie was nothing short of magical. From the moment we arrived, we were welcomed with warmth, thoughtfulness, and a level of personalised service that made us feel genuinely cherished - Declan and Babs are a hoot!! The honeymoon suite was a blend of luxury and romance – beautifully styled with exquisite attention to detail, from the plush linens and cozy fireplace to the private outdoor hot tub under the stars. Every evening felt like a fairytale. The team at Akademie went above and beyond, surprising us with little touches that made our celebrationtruly unforgettable – fresh flowers, bubbles, and the kind of hospitality you can’t quite put into words. Breakfasts were indulgent and delicious, and the evening drinks by the fire pit created such a relaxed, intimate vibe. The setting is serene and stunning, perfectly nestled in Franschhoek with easy access to world-class wine estates and restaurants. But honestly, we could’ve spent all three days just enjoying the beauty and tranquility of the property itself. Akademie isn’t just a place to stay – it’s a feeling. Romantic, elegant, and unforgettable. We left with full hearts and can’t wait to return . Thank you for making our celebration more special than we could’ve imagined.

This is a place where you really get looked after as if you were staying with friends or family. When we arrived we opened our bedroom door to the courtyard and pool and sat for a few moments to soak up the beauty of the location and setting — within a moment we were offered a drink of our choice whilst we sat. The staff are warm and welcoming and nothing was too much trouble. If you wanted recommendations on restaurants in Franschhoek they would willingly provide ideas and even book a table for you. The breakfast is something else, with a massive choice of items for such a small hotel. The fresh fruit platter was beautifully prepared, followed by poached eggs cooked perfectly. The room was fitted out with style and no expense spared on the furniture, fittings and furnishings, it was a room that would happily sit in any interior design magazine. We had a wonderful time and can’t recommend it enough. Now we look forward to the return trip.

This was one of the best hotels I’ve ever stayed in, and a unique experience we will never forget. The room (Oort B in our case) was pure charm and luxury. It’s rare to find a hotel room where so much thought and attention has been given to every detail of one’s stay. Particular highlights: freestanding copper bath, wood-fired hot tub, huge and comfortable beds catering for all temperature preferences, a fully stocked (and complimentary) mini bar, internal wood burning stove, a music system, and the list goes on, but I’ll leave some magic for you to discover for yourself. Declan and the team were warm and welcoming hosts, and no request was ever too much for them. Declan welcomes his guests like old friends, and his love for the hotel shines through. The team hosts a magnificent breakfast service in the orangerie, where we also enjoyed aperitif listening to a pianist as well as a nightcap (or two!) in front of an open fire. Bikes, towels, pétanque, sun hats, pools, etc are all available for guests to enjoy. The hotel is located on a quiet and charming street near Franschhoek Main Street. Easy walking distance to everything in town, and totally safe day and night. Couldn’t ask for better.

Would have liked to stay longer!

It's located a block from the Main Street which is a very easy and welcome stroll after dinner. Stunning establishment with treasures filling every corner - the pool area was private and relaxing and so beautifully curated. Evening drinks are served in the orangerie next to an open fire - really special. Breakfast was an absolute treat, served on bespoke ceramics, the setting was next level. Declan is a born host and runs this hotel with his team like a home away from home. This is not a great place to just drop in and sleep, you need time to enjoy the surrounds and the hospitality.

This was just perfect - the rooms are stunning and so comfortable. Every detail has been thought about. The surrounding outside areas are also incredible. The food and drinks were delicious, and they had gluten free options available (high quality ones!). Despite this being such a luxury experience in terms of the physical space, the thing that really made it amazing were the team at akademie - Babs and team went out of their way to make sure we had an incredible time, they went above and beyond, and did so with such kindness!

It was all perfect.

Akademie Street is on another level of care, attention to detail, and hospitality. What an incredible last night in South Africa. As the other reviews state, my only regret was not booking for another night. The facilities are gorgeous. Every room is curated perfectly and the facilities in the room are top-notch and well-thought out. From the heated bed covers, to the cozy fireplace, private outdoor wood-burning hot tub outside of room, the comfiest bed of our entire trip, and a gorgeously designed bathroom. It smelled incredible, felt luxurious, and breakfast was indelible. I'd be remiss not to mention the best part: the staff!! Declan was a fantastic host. I can't extend my appreciation to Declan and his team enough. After we checked out, they stored our luggage, continued serving us champagne, and allowed us to soak in the hot tub and rinse off in the shower before heading off on our 20+ hour journey back to the U.S. Note: we stayed at another hotel the night before which had its perks and private vineyard, but we moved hotels to Akademie and had no regrets, other than not booking immediately at Akademie. The location is fantastic. We were a stone's throw away from the main road in town, and walked to the wine tram. So serene, and perfect! We will never forget this little leg of our trip :)

Cannot complain about a single thing. Just be mindful of multiple baths/showers in a morning as the water tank has a limited about of hot water then requires some time to refill. Declan and team helped resolve this quickly and eternally grateful for that!

The property was so well located in the centre of town, close to all the restaurants and shops. The staff were so welcoming and made such an effort to make our engagement extra special including arranging some flowers and champagne for our arrival. The room was very spacious and had the benefit of its own private pool, sunbeds and wood fired jacuzzi. The hotels have gone above and beyond to think about everything that guests might require from their stay. The breakfast was insane too. Could not recommend more highly!

We had the perfect stay at Akademie. The staff could not do anything more for you, always offering drinks and making sure you had everything you needed. The breakfast was probably one of the best hotel breakfasts I have had. And the setting is just stunning by the pool and in the orangerie. Also great location being able to walk to the local restaurants and attractions. Rooms are also very quiet and spacious and we slept very well.

Nothing

We loved our stay at this hotel. Declan and Paul and all of the team were warm and welcoming. The room was great (we stayed in Twyfeling C) - the bed was huge and comfy, it had a free-standing bath, a great shower, and a free minibvar that was refilled every morning. The breakfast was delicious and hearty. We loved the detail that they go to here. They even have local mobile phones that you can use, and provided really helpful advice on restaurants and wineries. This place is highly recommended, we will be going back, and this truly is a "home from home".