Quick Facts
E 19°03'29''
Budget Getaways Review
La Chataigne is a beautiful, family-run wine estate with stunning mountain views, situated just 7km from Franschhoek. The farm has three privately-appointed guest cottages, set among vineyards and pear orchards and mere metres from the Franschhoek River.
Chestnut (sleeps two), Marron (sleeps four) and Kastanje (sleeps four) are cosy and newly renovated; by the looks of the photos and glowing guest comments, little expense has been spared in making them very comfortable.
Fireplaces, heaters, bedroom ceiling fans, quality pure cotton linen and comfy duvets, fully-equipped kitchens and modern crisp bathrooms with fresh cotton towels, all come as standard issue.
Each cottage has a living room with open-plan kitchen attached, while the bedrooms offer either double or single beds, and ensuite bathrooms.
Stepping into the gorgeous views, there's a veranda with braai area overlooking the river, while a little further along you will discover a swimming pool in the pear orchard.
As a well rounded affordable package close to Cape Town, plus the fact that it's within throwing distance of Franschhoek's restaurants and other attractions, La Chataigne fills a critical gap in Captain Getaway's Portfolio of Amazing Places.
"Loved our stay at La Chataigne! It has everything you need - lovely clean, modern cottages. We will be back!"
(visited Aug 2016)
"We stayed at La Chataigne cottage (Marron) for the weekend and it was fantastic! A beautiful, peaceful setting down by the river and the cottage was very comfortable and stylish - everything you need for a weekend in the country - good wine, a roaring log fire (wood provided) and fresh country air... the winter landscape was dramatically beautiful withmist in the mornings and warm sunny days! I loved the decor in the cottage - very calm and Swedish and we will definitely be going back."
(visited Jul 2016)
"Paradise is the only word I can use to describe the surroundings and settings of my stay at La Chataigne Guest Cottages. And the owners/management could not do enough to ensure we had a fabulous stay, even to the point of taking us into the town one morning so we could go on the wine tram shuttle. Fantastic experience the whole weekend."
(visited Apr 2016)
"Brilliant place. Pretty setting, friendly staff, great facilities, lovely dogs! A rare night out a deux curtesy of excellent baby sitters. A bag of washing cleaned as if by magic...."
(visited Mar 2016)
"It is a great little cottage; very peaceful, well appointed and has beautiful view of the surrounding hills."
(visited Feb 2016)
"Very pretty. Comfortable, fully equipped and a hidden gem between the fruit trees and vineyards. Love it!"
(visited Dec 2015)
"Escape to Provence! Okay, I've never been, but this gem of a hideaway is just how I imagine the French countryside. Provence would have to be really special to beat La Chataigne in Franschhoek. Surrounded by vineyards, oaks and plane trees, with a crystal clear stream meandering by ten metres from the front patio, and furnished with chic but rustic elegance, Kastanje Cottage is truly a hidden gem. The two bedrooms are spacious and light, looking out onto Provencale views (well, I imagine so). The en-suite bathrooms are huge, one with a double shower for the romantically inclined, one with a gigantic oval bath, which rivals Lady Anne's. The open plan kitchen is equipped with everything you could possibly need, from coffee plunger to blender to white porcelain salad bowls and stainless steel servers, you do not have to bring a thing. Except perhaps a strong torch. The gorgeous back patio (there's one in the front, too, which catches the morning sun) is very dark at night so if you don't want your wors underdone, a headlamp or solar jar or two or three would ensure browned boerie. Only 7km's from the sophistication of Franschhoek village, La Chataigne lets you to feel as though you're in the heart of the country. The only sounds that permeate the silence (if you leave the iPod at home) are the rippling brook, the crackling fire and, perhaps, the soothing, old-fashioned pitter-patter of gentle rain on the tin roof."
(visited May 2015)
"I have been raving about La Chataigne and now friend sand colleagues want to book a weekend too. All I can say is I'm spreading the word about this little secret in Franschoek. Suzaan and the team, thank you for a memorable stay. Marron Cottage was our abode for the weekend and was one of the neatest, cleanest and most attractive places I had had the pleasure of staying in. P.s. sorry, but I just need to mention the two black dogs that came to visit on Monday were quiet scary as the Rottweiler kept growling at us and we found it difficult to load the car the Monday morning, and the kids could not play outside either. But other than that this is an awesome place to stay."
(visited April 2015)
"Wow, what a beautiful unexpected surprise. I'm already planning my next visit."
(visited January 2015)
"Nice location but if the weather is not really hot it is cold as there are so many trees. Would be nice if could be opened up a little. Some of the furnishings are ready for a makeover, and some chairs and tables are showing their age. Great shower in one bathroom, hand shower in bath in the other. Wireless internet was good and fast, althought it's currently only available at the estate office (a 5 min drive away) but should be at the cottages next year. The staff were knowledgeable, extremely helpful and interested in guest welfare."
(visited December 2014)
Getaway Reply
"Dear Barbara, thank you for your review, we do appreciate your feedback. Our apologies for any rusty furniture at your cottage, we will definitely have a look into this, and will attend to it immediately. As you have stayed in one of our two-bedroom cottages, we have a shower in one bathroom and then a bath in the other bathroom, as a bath is normally a requirement for families with small kids. Regarding wireless internet, we are still deciding if this should be available at the cottages, as we have received a lot of appreciation from business people coming to switch off, and also families thanking us as their kids are spending more time with them, and therefore at the moment only have it available at the tasting room for those really urgent things to do. This might change in the near future after some consideration. Your feedback is appreciated, as we would like to continue to improve our service."
(Suzaan White)
"We absolutely loved this place. I would recommend it to anybody! It is in such a lovely serene setting, in the vineyards. The house is beautiful, country with a touch of class and the braai area is phenomenal, over looking the quint little stream. The pool area was also so quiet and relaxing where you can laze on the pool chairs for sundowners with the beautiful view of the vineyards. The house was very clean and was kitted with everything you might need. We also loved that it was close to town and even closer to all the lovely wine farms. Lastly, the Marron red wine that they stock in the house was unexpectedly delicious. Thanks for such a memorable weekend away guys, we loved every second of it."
(visited November 2014)
"Thank you to La Chataigne for helping us create a weekend away that was both relaxing and fun. Even the load-shedding was deftly handled by management and owner, and in no time we received a gas cooker and a few bottles of wine, to boot! We have promised ourselves to return."
(visited November 2014)
"Beautiful Wine farm, delicious wine tasting, self accommodation was perfect for a one-night stay on a budget."
(visited August 2014)
"What a lovely cottage! We had a wonderful time staying there. Everything was provided and we appreciated all the small details that were thought of, such as tea, coffee and sugar, and the lovely wine and other goodies available to buy that were right there in the cottage. It was love to be so close to Franschoek, but also in a quieter environment being on the wine farm. Our 4-year old son loved staying there, and we hope to visit again soon."
(visited August 2014)
"Very good cottage in a good setting next to river and on wine estate. About 8-10 kms out of Franschhoek. Cottage well equipped and comfortable. Will go again."
(visited August 2014)
"We had a wonderful time at La Chataigne. Really worth the visit, brilliant wine, good bird watching and a beautiful farm. Definitely recommended!"
(visited July 2014)
"We had the pleasure of staying at La Chataigne for a long weekend recently, even though the weather was cold and miserable, our stay was anything but. The fire roared and the cottage was cosy. Close to lots of great wine farms and close enough to Franschhoek village to shop for those last minute items you forgot to pack. Only thing missing in the kitchen was a dishtowel (very minor issue)."
(visited July 2014)
"We've stayed at a few other places since our stay at La Chataigne and my wife and I agree that it's the best value for money in Franschhoek if you don't mind staying a few kilometres out of town. Gorgeous setting, well designed cottages, great for small and big groups. We'll definitely go back!"
(visited June 2014)
"We have stayed in these cottages on many occasions, I think this is the 7th visit. We love the cottages, they are always clean, and there's always enough firewood for the duration of our stay. Very peaceful setting, right next to a stream, and well away from traffic noise. I highly recommend these cottages."
(visited June 2014)
"Setting was superb! The river being literally steps away from our chalet was stunning. Just feel that the owners could tend to the outside a bit more. The vineyards and garden is overgrown and they could do something about the garden area around the pool."
(visited May 2014)
Getaway Reply
"Dear Lisa,
I am sorry you had such an experience. That is not normally our standard. May is after harvest and the whole farm has been off on holiday. That is no excuse for the pool area or garden, but the vineyards we leave alone until June when we start our pruning.
I would like to offer you a complimentary bottle of wine that we will have delivered to your house as a small compensation for your experience. If you could send us your address where we can forward the wine, I would be grateful.
Regards and our sincere apologies.
Richard Parkfelt "
(Richard Parkfelt)
"We had a lovely time and will be back for more!"
(visited May 2014)
"Good value for money, charming setting. Very peaceful and private. Ideal secret hideaway for a romantic weekend without television and wireless devices. Recommended wholeheartedly!"
(visited March 2014)
"This is one of the best getaways I've ever been on, it is stunning! You are so close to the centre of Franschhoek but feel like you're in the middle of nowhere. The views from the front step of chestnut cottage are amazing and a brook running behind it is so peaceful. You could spend a week here without leaving the cottage. They were so kind and helpful throughout our stay, we'd go back anytime and can't recommend it enough."
(visited October 2013)
"A truly 5-star cottage situated in a 5-star setting. The best place to relax and recharge those batteries. Within a couple of kilometres from some of the best restaurants and wine estates in the country. Truly a magnificent experience."
(visited May 2012)
"Absolutely beautiful setting with really helpful owners who went out their way to make our special occasion most sucessfull. All our guests (a special birthday celebration) were bowled over with the location and the facilities."
(visited March 2012)
"Chestnut Cottage - What a beautiful little quaint cottage. View from every door and window, one patio bask in the sun with views on the vineyards and the mountain, the other patio lovely and cool with a braai next to a cobbling stream. Inside it is modern but cute. White crisp bedding and a fireplace for the cooler evening. Truly value for money."
(visited July 2011)
"These cottages are tastefully furnished and fantastically renovated. Outside braai area right next to river, could not ask for more. Great shower!"
(visited May 2011)
"Ahh, it was amazing! And the bottle of wine thrown in for very little, was fantastic. Had dinner with my wife by the fire enjoying the bottle of wine. A very nice first break since our baby's birth."
(visited May 2010)
"We have just returned from two nights away at this lovely getaway spot! Tranquil, beautifully and luxuriously furnished and all within a stunning setting. We'd booked Chestnut Cottage for two but were upgraded on arrival to Kastanje - what a spoil! It's a lovely way to explore Franschhoek but with the ability to escape the hustle and bustle and enjoy some peace and quiet. We definitely plan to be back!"
(visited January 2010)
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