More about Akademie Street Boutique Hotel and Guesthouse
Wonderful Welcome, Comfort, Surroundings and delicious breakfast
by TripAdvisor Member CumbriaFlorence
We were very warmly welcomed into our lovely Vreugde cottage with fresh and colourful decor. There was a fully stocked complimentary fridge with drinks and snacks which was a pleasant surprise after expensive minibars in other properties.
We had our own garden and small swimming pool plus outside dining table and chairs should we have wishes to have supper in the open air.
The owners, Katherine and Arthur, were so friendly- nothing was too much trouble - and the delicious breakfast the following morning was a real treat especially the home made muesli!
Each cottage is individually decorated with flair and cachet! and the views are stunning to the surrounding mountains.
Just a short walk brought up to Franschoek's main street with a myriad of restaurants - Katherine and Arthur recommended Reubens which we found to be excellent.
We will certainly return and am sure whoever reads this review will be very pleased they have taken our recommendation.
Wonderful Experience
by TripAdvisor Member Minstrels
My husband and I were looking for something different to celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary. We were delighted by the warm welcome we received from Katherine and Arthur and their staff. They did everything in their power to make sure we had the most memorable time in Franschhoek. From 1st class accommodation to the best home cooked and prepared food everything was of the highest standard and was complimented by the personal, tailor made service we received. This amazing couple really love their work and this is evident by the effort and energy they expend on a daily basis to ensure their guests want for nothing.
The location is beautiful and only an hour by car out of Cape Town city centre. It is, in our opinion, the perfect base for a different holiday experience.
We unreservedly recommend the Akademie Street Guesthouses and sincerely intend to return as soon as we can.
Fabulous Stay
by TripAdvisor Member Stevegill
Having visited South Africa four years ago and stayed in Hotels, we were encouraged by friends to consider staying in Guest House accomodation this time. What a revelation! The standard of accomodation and attention we received as guests will make it very hard to consider going back to Hotels!!
Arthur and Katherine were extremely helpful in helping us plan our days as well as giving excellant pointers of where to eat in beautiful Franschhoek. The accomodation itself was top quality with so much space - we stayed in Gelatenheid.
The breakfasts were outstanding and nothing was too much trouble for them or their staff. We'll certainly be looking to come back again.
Heaven on earth
by TripAdvisor Member tonyandrew
I have written several reviews on Hotels around the world but never has it been such a pleasure to write this one on Akademie.From the moment you arrive until the time you leave you are in sheer heaven and I defy anyone who has stayed at the top hotels in the world not to be in awe of what Katherine and Arthur have achieved here.
The 3 guesthouses are simply out of this world in surroundings that are an oasis of peace and tranquility tucked as they are just of the main street in Franschhoek.They provide an atmosphere of sheer luxury and nothing but nothing has been missed in an effort to provide guests with a house that oozes charm and that very personal touch that Katherine has imposed on them.Where else in the world could you have a mini bar that is topped up every day - and is free
Other reviewers have mentioned the breakfasts and I can only reiterate their comments on the sense of the occasion and the surroundings in which breakfast is taken. Arthur and Katherine make the perfect breakfast companions and provide a sumptuous feast that many a 5 star Hotel would do well to copy.
If you ever go to SA you must ensure that you spend some time at Akademie - in fact forget it as part of a longer trip - book your flight tomorrow and just go to Akademie - I guarantee you will not be disappointed.
You can see why Franschhoek is the culinary capital of SA and Akademie is conveniently situated for the main street and its superb restaurants. Make sure you go to Le Bon Vivant - it is run by a Dutchman and his food defies description - you will not know whether to eat it - or take a picture of his dishes - do both and you will not be disappointed with the end result
Truly Special
by TripAdvisor Member catsabroad
There's not much that i can add to all the other excellent reviews that Akademie Street has already received. Kathleen and Arthur have thought of everything and a stay at Akademie Street is truly special and extremely comfortable. Just wish we could have stayed longer!
The place to stay in the Cape Wine Country
by TripAdvisor Member Smat-Halen
A great place to stay. The owners are very hospitable and the guest houses are nice. Breakfast was excellent and they are more than happy to help you select a local restaurant to dine at (the restaurants are amazing in Franshhoek). Also, I loved the free mini bar in our room.
A Special occasion even more special.
by TripAdvisor Member Jakkals7
We had a very special occosion to celebrate in our family, and I decided to take the brithday girl to Franschoek, a special place for her. As always used the web to search and found akademie dtreet, with the four wonderful options available. Home from home with a swimming pool for each cottage! Arthur the owner very promptly came back to me and recommended a fith option Uitsig as a better option especially in winter. Arrived on a beautiful day, very prompt service and found the most wonderful room with a view that you can dream of! The detail to make life easier for a guest, amazing! Even a mobile with all the relevant telephone numbers in Franscshoek! Underfloor heating, very modern bathroom, mini bar(complementary!), tea/coffee, milk etc. Wifi, flatscreen for the technocrats amongst us.
Breakfast out of this world with Arthur and Cathy very attentive and helpful. All in all a wonderful experience. I can just imagine the wonderful time you will have in summer in one of the other magnificent cottages! Akademie made the special occasion a very special occasion!
French Magic...
by TripAdvisor Member Desperatetotravel34
I am a travel agent and tend to be critical of the standards of accommodation when travelling. Akademie Street is really very special and worthy of it's 5 stars. The rooms a colourful and extremely comfortable. Attention to small details quite are remarkable, for eg. a DVD library, music CD's, a cell phone next to the bed with all the local restaurant phone numbers saved in it! Each suite has it's own private garden area with a swimming pool - a real treat. Arthur and Katherine serve breakfast each morning, which is delicious and has a bit of everything - fuit, yoghurt, eggs & bacon, plus smoothies and pasteries of required. The fridge in each room has a small stock of drinks (which are complementary) and it is so convienient to be able to make a home cooked meal, when away from home! I cannot waite to go back...
Akademie Street will spoil you!
by TripAdvisor Member liqdstar519
We had an amazing stay at Akademie. Franschhoek was our first stop in South Africa, and Akademie street certainly set the bar very high for our expectations of the remaining guesthouses during our 2 week stay!
We stayed in Oortuiging, the traditional Dutch house. The house is very cozy, and large enough for 3. There is a large master bedroom, a smaller room, and 2 baths. Upon our arrival, we were greeted with delicious chocolates from a local shop, and a bottle of sparkling wine. The refrigerator is also stocked (and refilled) with soda, juice, beer, and liquors. Plus, there is a bowl of fruits, and chips. AND, there is a stocked cell phone in the room to use for booking reservations, etc. If this wasn't enough, they also have a complimentary laundry service! All this for an extremely reasonable rate per night.
Breakfast is amazing, one of the best we had in SA. Katherine starts with a cold breakfast of dried fruits, fresh fruit, cereal, and yogurt. She then cooks a hot breakfast to order!
Katherine was absolutely one of the friendliest guesthouse owners. She is full of good recommendations and pleasant conversation.
Lastly, the location is great. Its about a 3 block walk to the main part of town, so we walked back and forth from dinners (We ate at Boullabase and Le Quartier Franscais). You do need a car for most of the wineries though.
All in all, I couldn't recommend Akademie street more!
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