Comfort in Heavenly Franschhoek

Q: My husband and I are looking for a comfortable guest house in Franshhoek for a short holiday. However, we have been surprised at the high rates of many of the places we have looked at. Could you recommend some good guest houses under R1000 per person per night? - Lindy Goodman

A: While a number of guest houses in Franschhoek are very upmarket, there are many superb places which fall into your price bracket. Many local accommodation websites such as www.sa-venues.com offer a wide range of hotels, guest houses and self-catering units. However, for medium-priced guest house, I found the website www.roomsforafrica.com particularly helpful. Among those that caught my eye was the Lavender Farm Guest House, which has four luxurious rooms from R475-R750 per person (Tel: 021 876 2671; www.lavenderfarmfranschhoek.co.za). Another was the Centre-Ville Guest House, a charming renovated Victorian home in the heart of Franschhoek. Sit on the wide verandah and soak up village life or make use of the in-house massage therapist. Rates range from R450-R900 per person (Tel: 021 876 4257; www.centre-ville.co.za). I also liked the look of Maison Chablis Guest House, a Georgian-styled home in a beautiful garden with a pool. Rooms range from R550-R650 person (Tel: 021 876 2366; www.maisonchablis.co.za). If you want to experience life on a working wine farm, the Auberge Clermont fits the bill. It is located in an old wine cellar amid vines. Rooms are comfortable, with touches like underfloor heating and hand-decorated ceilings, while a swimming pool and a tennis court provide distractions. Rates range from R650-R850 per person sharing (Tel: 021 876 3700; www.clermont.co.za). Finally, you could opt for Plumwood Inn, with rates from R495-R795 per person. Comprising three buildings in the town, the inn offers cosy rooms and delicious breakfasts (Tel: 021 876 3883; www.plumwoodinn.com).