Le Franschhoek Hotel & Spa, A Romantic Wine Country Retreat in South Africa

No visit to Cape Town would be complete without a trip to the beautiful Paarl winelands, about 35 miles north-east of the city, and if you can stay over for a night or two, so much the better. The region is truly beautiful, with the majestic Franschhoek Mountains providing a dramatic backdrop to rolling vines, picture-perfect villages, and white-washed homes designed in the elegant Cape Dutch style. One of the most romantic retreats in the wine country where I stayed in 2007 is Le Franschhoek Hotel & Spa, with 79 stylish guest rooms, suites and villas set on a vast private estate and panoramic mountain and vineyard views.

The all-white exterior is a theme for much of the interior décor, creating cool and contemporary spaces from the chic guest rooms with king-size, four-poster beds, marble bathrooms, flat-screen TV and high-speed internet access, to the cozy lounges and outdoor terraces. Plenty of activities from tennis to horse-riding and, of course, wine-tasting at local vineyards, you won't be short of things to do. NB the negatives! The spa here feels like an attic after-thought. Skip it. And, one of the ugliest spaces I've ever seen: Le Verger Restaurant—avoid and go to La Petite Ferme for a lazy, lingering lunch, Le Quartier Francais tasting room for dinner or the thrill of the area, Rueben's—a stylish contemporary café. 

From $180 (low season) $245 (high season)