Stellenbosch & Franschhoek

Everything you need to plan your stay in over our wedding weekend

Welcome to the Cape Winelands

Our wedding takes place in Stellenbosch, with events beginning on Friday, 26th February. For international guests, we'd recommend arriving a few days early — both to adjust to the time difference and to explore this truly special part of the world.

When booking accommodation, we suggest staying within a 5–15 minute drive of our venue, Molenvliet, in the Banhoek Valley. The wine region is beautifully spread out, but all wedding events are at Molenvliet, so you won't want to be on the other side of the valley. Here is the google maps link to show you where our venue is positioned.

As this is peak season, and given how quickly accommodation fills up around the 27th February weekend, we encourage you to book as soon as possible. Once confirmed, please add your accommodation name and address to our wedding website — we will be arranging transportation to and from the venue for specific wedding events and want to make sure guests are accounted for.

All guests should fly into Cape Town International Airport — Stellenbosch is approximately 30 minutes from the airport and 45 minutes from Cape Town city centre.

3 PERFECT DAYS IN THE WINELANDS

Begin your day wandering downtown Franschhoek — explore the galleries, tasting rooms, and boutiques along the main road, getting a real sense of the area's French and Dutch roots. Make your way up the hill to La Cotte Estate for lunch on their outdoor terrace. If you're staying in Franschhoek, we'd recommend dinner at Le Lude — a classic establishment with an exceptional cheese soufflé.
Board the Wine Tram's Orange Line mid-morning, stopping at a couple of estates before arriving at Babylonstoren, where we suggest spending 2–3 hours. Explore the extraordinary farm gardens, browse the boutique and farm shop, and settle in for lunch at one of their on-site restaurants. For dinner, we recommend Chef's Warehouse at Maison if you're staying in Franschhoek, or De Eetkamer if you're in Stellenbosch.
Spend the morning at the Dylan Lewis Sculpture Garden, wandering through panoramic views and exceptional outdoor sculptures. Follow it with lunch at The Table at De Meye — a farm-to-table experience on a vineyard lawn that we genuinely cannot recommend highly enough. The husband-and-wife team change the menu daily, but every dish has been better than the last. Ideal for a long, unhurried lunch with great wine.

STELLENBOSCH ACCOMMODATIONS

A beautiful boutique hotel perched high above the valley, very close to the venue. cloudsestate.co.za
A quaint farm estate set within a historic Cape Dutch property. Unfussy but lovely; a bit further from the venue than some options, but more affordable. weltevredenestate.com
A classic Stellenbosch wine estate hotel, very traditional and historic. We recommend the Courtyard rooms. lanzerac.co.za
Well located in the heart of downtown Stellenbosch, with a lowkey bed & breakfast feel and modern rooms. oudewerf.co.za | Discount code: PRMOVL
Directly across from Oude Werf in central Stellenbosch, this is a charming, old-school bed & breakfast with a great location. coopmanhuijs.co.za
A gorgeous farm estate with a world-class spa, incredible dining, and plenty to explore on-site. A destination in its own right. babylonstoren.com
A stunning estate we'd highly recommend, particularly the Orchard Suites or multi-room villas. Note that availability on the wedding weekend was limited when we last checked, but there is availability in the days leading up to it for those arriving early or extending their trip. boschendal.com

AIRBNBS & GUESTHOUSES

There are many Airbnbs in the area, as well as many “exclusive use” guest houses. Below are a few properties that family friends have enjoyed, but please take a look at Airbnb/VRBO to see all the options in the area.

FRANSCHHOEK ACCOMMODATIONS

While we wouldn't recommend staying in Franschhoek during the wedding weekend based on proximity to the venue, it would make a great choice if you choose to extend your trip in the Cape Winelands.
A beautifully curated boutique farm estate just a short walk uphill from downtown Franschhoek, with well-appointed rooms, beautiful grounds, and excellent dining. lacottefarm.com
Set higher in the Franschhoek mountains, with unbeatable sunset views across the valley. lapetiteferme.co.za

WHERE TO EAT

We would recommend booking restaurant reservations in advance, as this is an in-demand time of year and the Cape Winelands have a world-class culinary scene.

  • De Eetkamer — Locally sourced small plates in a stylish setting, with a lovely courtyard
  • Post & Pepper — Elevated, contemporary South African cuisine
  • The Fat Butcher — Premium steaks and a lively atmosphere
  • The Table at De Meye — An extraordinary farm-to-table experience. Perfect for a long, leisurely lunch
  • Good to Gather — Farm-to-table restaurant, exclusively serving weekend lunches
  • Arum at Boschendal — Great choice for breakfast, lunch, or dinner at Boschendal Farm Estate. Chef-driven with delicious international dishes.
  • Hoseki — Incredible Japanese food at the Delaire Graff hotel, with one of the most spectacular views of the valley
  • Chef's Warehouse Maison — A Franschhoek institution
  • La Petite Colombe — One of South Africa's most acclaimed fine dining restaurants
  • Reuben's — A local favourite with a relaxed atmosphere
  • Le Lude — A classic establishment; don't miss the cheese soufflé

WHAT TO DO

South African sculptor Dylan Lewis has transformed this property into a breathtaking outdoor exhibition woven into the natural landscape. Panoramic valley views and remarkable sculptures make this a memorable few hours.
One of the oldest Cape Dutch farms, set at the foot of the Simonsberg mountains between Franschhoek and Stellenbosch. Magnificent gardens, a wonderful spa, and three excellent on-site dining options.
A hop-on, hop-off tram experience spanning five lines, each visiting a curated selection of wine estates across the valley. A fun and seamless way to cover a lot of ground.
The most charming town in the Winelands, with art galleries, boutique shopping, and excellent dining all along the main street. Worth at least a few hours of wandering.