La Cotte House, Franschhoek farm

01 March 2020

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La Cotte House, Franschhoek: sleeps up to 10 and 4 children

Deceptively far from distractions, the Cape vernacular accommodation on La Cotte Farm was originally built by Swiss naturists, with complete privacy in mind. Built on one of the oldest farms in Franschhoek, it is now surrounded by indigenous gardens, olive groves and breathtakingly soaring mountain and vineyard views – and you’re only a short walk from the village and its famous restaurants, galleries and wineries.

Granted in 1694, the farm is one of the oldest Huguenot estates in Franschhoek and is home to one of the few surviving original Cape Dutch water mills. It is also the birthplace of one of the oldest Oak trees in the region – the very tree that gave up its acorns in 1920 to be planted in honour of the Battle of Delville Wood in France.

This perfectly appointed accommodation is made up of: La Cotte House a 400m2 manor house and Lake Cottage an adjacent guest cottage, both of which overlook a private lake, as well as a separate pool room and sauna, called The Pool Room that opens out onto a sun-drenched, 12mx 6m solar-heated swimming pool. All properties are included in a single booking, so you have exclusive use of each during your stay.

Bedrooms at La Cotte House

La Cotte House has four bedrooms: 1 x king, 2x king or twin and 1 x 4 single beds
On the main floor are three king-sized, ensuite bedrooms, two of which can be made up into twin beds. The majestic master bedroom has an elegant, modern four-poster bed, antique chattels, woven-grass flooring and show-home bathroom. Each bedroom is designed with tribal and antique ikat and suzani textiles to add splashes of colour to the relaxingly neutral palette.

All the bedrooms and living areas are equipped with air-conditioning and ceiling fans. The main bedroom’s ensuite bathroom has a freestanding bath, supersize double-head shower, and double vanity. The second bedroom’s ensuite bathroom has a shower only, basin and loo and the third bedroom’s ensuite bathroom has a bath, shower, basin and loo. All bathrooms have marble tops, heated towel rails and underfloor heating, while monochrome tiles, antique prints and modern mirrors add an air of elegance. There is also a downstairs recreation and children’s room offering accommodation for up to four children, where there is a further bathroom with shower and basin and a separate loo.

Lake Cottage: sleeps 4

The property’s thatched, Lake Cottage, boasts the same blend of contemporary elegance and Cape colonial flare and lies adjacent to the main house on the edge of the lake. It plays host to two sun-drenched ensuite (twin or king) bedrooms and no shortage of luxury accoutrements. Curl up on the living-room sofa by the wood-burning stove, or relax on one of the built-in day beds on the veranda and watch the sun set slowly over the magnificent lake.

You’ll find WiFi and air-conditioning throughout, a TV in the main living area, a hairdryer in each bedroom and luxury products in the bathrooms. With its own refrigerator, and tea and coffee station, there’s no need to feel reliant on the main house – you can interact as little as much as you like.

The Pool Room

Complete with sauna, shower-room and loo, as well as a fridge and tea and coffee station. Kick back with a novel on the king-sized day bed on the pool house’s large veranda or on a sun-lounger next to the pool, enjoying the epic view of La Cotte’s cypress trees, and Franschhoek’s mountains and vineyards.

Living and dining at La Cotte House

The manor house is the largest of the three buildings, with high ceilings, lofty French doors and traditional sash windows that allow Franschhoek’s never-ending panoramas to pour in with the sun. La Cotte House does not just rely on its awe-inspiring setting to take your breath away, its classic contemporary-Cape vernacular, thatched roof, lime-washed gables and antique-style French shutters are all part of the charm.
Colonial English, French and traditional Cape antiques, combined with an intriguing mix of international and African curios and Persian, Afghan and Turkish textiles, rugs and kilims all tell the story of the family, originally from Zimbabwe but now spread all over the world, who now own La Cotte Farm. The prints and paintings showcase contemporary South African artists including Alice Goldin, Olive Scholnick, Paticia Frazer and Philip Briel, as well as a carefully curated selection of colonial antique posters and prints.

This home is designed for entertaining with a vast oak-floored, open-plan living and dining area, large farmhouse kitchen, and wraparound terrace and outdoor dining area. The large, gourmet kitchen (with scullery, laundry and mud room) has two fridges, two electric Miele ovens, a Miele steamer / warming drawer, a gas hob and oven, as well as dishwashing, ice-and Nepsresso machine. The veranda’s pizza oven and wood-burning barbeque (braai) complete the offering for this cook’s dream home.

Combines well with these properties for an excellent holiday experience