Akademie Street Boutique Hotel and Guesthouse

Enjoy privacy and the fresh Franschhoek air at this award winning boutique hotel on Akademie Street

 

Also read: If the Mount Nelson had a younger sister, it would be Palm House Boutique Hotel.

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The Atmosphere: The beautifully decorated and modernised Akademie Boutique Hotel and Guesthouse offers a luxurious experience of a home away from home.

With privacy at the centre of lavish living in the heart of Franschhoek, Declan Mackle and his team aim to customise your vacation experience in line with their guest policy of mi casa su casa. All staff members are hands-on and willing to assist at any point of your stay, from coffee to sunscreen, every need is taken care of in a way that only Akademie knows how.

Grab a book from any main area and settle in any one of the lounges inside, patios, main or private pool areas to properly kick back and get the most out of your stay at Akademie.

Laze around in the sun, with the complimentary sun hats and bicycles to explore the surrounding areas of Franschhoek in a more traditional way.

The Offerings: With a strong focus on privacy, Akademie Street Boutique Hotel and Guesthouse offers luxury accommodation with a private pool, and towels, sun hats and sunscreen laid out at the pool.

The main cottage is where the admin business takes place, with various rooms catering for various needs. Upon entering Akademie, the main lounge and waiting area contains antique pieces, such as the 1928 Grotrian-Steinweg piano, with brass and wooden finishes, a book selection which flows all the way up to the ceiling, framing the antique wooden door.

Inside, a selection of fine liquor awaits (the main lounge even has white wine on ice!).

Walking through the main hallway from the main lounge, one will pass the beautifully coral decorated room, where breakfast is served on chillier mornings, leading out to a patio section with a fireplace, marble table tops and snug corner couches.

The last room has a unique leather couch centerpiece, with displays of souvenirs, and a computer for guests to type up and print boarding passes and important documents needed on their trip.

This room leads out to the main heated pool, which is open to all guests for chillier days and a cooler section for the warmer ones. On these warmer days, breakfast is served here, peaceful and blissfully adjacent to the pool, underneath the criss-crossing vines.

The beautiful section leads out to all the cottages, where guests will find exquisite rooms, artistically designed in a manner that embraces the historical value and richness of culture, while subtly embedding modern touches. Rooms are large with a lounge section, where guests will find a fully stocked fridge with variable potables, snacks and cutlery and crockery, as well as a Nespresso machine for a midday pick-me-up.

Each room leads out to the hot tub, which is exclusively available to guests of the room, to add that extra sizzle to your romantic getaway with your partner, and a private pool available to guests of each cottage.

What you wouldn’t expect: The underestimated hub of romance and relaxation, Akademie Street Hotel and Guesthouse, offers an experience that allows guests to not only view this policy in black on white, but also feel it from the moment guests book their stay.

The Akademie team kicks off the home away from home experience by providing a list of restaurants in the area, all the while distinguishing which of them require bookings, which of them don’t, which of them are further afar, and which are better suited for lunch or dinner.

Guests will find this to be really helpful in making dinner and lunch plans as the guest house does not provide meals, except a wholesome breakfast.

The documents also include a list of things to do in Franschhoek, as well as directions from departure points, including the airport and Cape Town.

Note: Although Akademie does not cater for lunch and dinner, complimentary pre-dinner cocktails are available every night from 6pm until 8pm. This gives guests the opportunity to get to know their fellow neighbours during their stay.

Remember the 1928 Grotrian-Steinweg piano? This is not only open to guests who may want to tickle their musical fancy, but during peak seasons Akademie books professional pianists to entertain guests, creating an in-house geus (festive vibe) for all.

Find Akademie Street Boutique Hotel and Guesthouse: At the top of the green Akademie Street in Franschhoek, the white cottages are hidden behind large oak trees, where one will find the sign saying Akademie Street Boutique Hotel and Guesthouse. The building is called Twyfeling, where you will find the reception.

Tip: No children under the age of 16 allowed.

The Bill: Prices are per room, not per person, including breakfast, free drinks and free access to a smartphone, laundry and Wi-fi. Check Akademie Street Boutique Hotel and Guesthouse prices online, as these vary between the various cottages and suites and between the seasons.

Contact Akademie at +27 (0)82 517 0405 or email info@aka.co.za. For more information visit the Akademie Street Boutique Hotel and Guesthouse website.

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By Marian Volkwyn

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