LA RESIDENCE, Opulence and comfort in South Africa’s culinary capital

La Residence is a luxury hotel located in the beautiful Franschhoek Valley on a private 30-acre estate in South Africa. It’s not a normal hotel, It’s a world of exquisite beauty, opulence and grandeur surrounded by vineyards and spectacular breathtaking mountain views. The 30-acre Estate is the perfect place to unwind. With swimming pools, a spa, restaurant, vineyards and endless private spaces in which to curl up with a good book.

“La Residence is a haven of luxury and relaxation with an atmosphere of complete tranquility.”

Glittering Indian chandeliers hang from the vaulted ceiling, original artwork and huge mirrors grace the walls, while the furnishings of Liz Biden are plush, colorful and stylish. Elegant antiques and flowers create a feeling of refinement and sophistication. Owner Liz Burden receives us with great hospitality. She talks passionate about this place she created.

The 11 Suites and 5 Vineyard Suites offer privacy and space for families and friends. All suites are totally unique interior designed. For every taste a suitable space, and color scheme where you can feel at home. The names of the suites, speak for themselves.

“From the exotic Tibetan Suite with its oriental antiques and rich orange tones to the Aramani Suite with modest neutrals and undeniably chic furniture, which make this room a modern classic.”

I overheard Richard Gere’s favorite was the Tibetan Room when he stayed here.

La Residence experience focuses on the incredible gastronomy of the Franschhoek Valley. Great food and fine wines are the order of the day but the natural beauty of the surroundings lends itself to a number of diverse experiences from hiking and cycling to art galleries, festivals and museums.

“Franschhoek is known as the ‘Culinary Capital of South Africa’ and for good reason.”

8 of the ‘Top 100’ restaurants best in the world are based in the small town of Franschhoek.

Franschhoek (‘French Corner’ in Dutch) is a picturesque village where the laid back café culture has a distinctly French charm. Full of character, Franschhoek is distinguished by its fine colonial architecture, numerous gourmet restaurants, art galleries and curio shops.

Dine like Nelson Mandela at the Tasting Roome
Although the restaurant at La Residence is exquisite, we want to dine at ‘The tasting Room’ of ‘Le Quartier Français’ where the Dutch self-made female chef Margot Janse is cooking. Her hard work has already seen the restaurant on one of the 50 best restaurants in the world-list three times.

‘Nelson Mandela as well as other international jet setters has dined in ‘The tasting Room’.

We ask about her secrets and how she brings her dishes to such a high level of Haute Cuisine and all of that without any culinary study. She tells us her lack of education, rules about food and combinations helped her think ‘out of the box’ which gave her more creativity and didn’t confine her into the regular patterns of cooking.