Akademie Street Boutique Hotel

This was our third visit to Akademie Street and the standard is always excellent. Having stayed in the Oortuiging A on our previous times this time we choose the Gelatenheid B. We arrived a little early, but not a problem, Manette took us out to the pool area and quickly a cool glass of Chardonnay arrived while we waited. Staff - As usual the Staff at Akademie really do make you feel at home from the minute you walk through the door. We missed Declan on this visit, so there was no Celtic banter. However, Manette was a super hostess and her team gave her superb support. No where we have been has matched this team for service, professionalism and personal interaction with each and every guest. Nikki in the evening on the piano is a real treat with you drink before heading out for the culinary delights of Franschhoek. It is such relaxing to here here play that we now make it at least one evening where just sit and listen to her play. All the while enjoying a cool glass of Chardonnay. Room - On this visit we booked the Gelatenheid B for a change. On the first floor the suite offers you views of the mountains from a generous and comfortable balcony. The is also a hot tub out here as well. The suite is more of a modern décor, but still spacious and a really comfortable king size bed for a simply relaxing nights sleep. There is plenty of sitting room and a work desk if needed. The bathroom is also spacious and has both a shower and bath. There are all the little extras you need in both the lounge area and the bathroom. A well stocked mini bar with a variety of drinks and snacks is complimentary as was the bottle of champagne in you room on arrival. The housekeeping Team keep you room clean and fresh everyday and no request is too much. Food - As always the legendary Akademie breakfast is a real master piece from the fresh fruits, yoghurt, and home made granola fresh juice and smoothie to the delicious cooked breakfasts we have not encountered better in all our travels. Its a shame they do not do an evening meal as well. Location - Situated on Akademie St, the hotel is a short walk to the centre of Franschhoek making it easy to get to all the restaurants, bars, coffee shops and the numerous boutique and stores in town. It is only a 5 minute walk to the Franschhoek Wine Tram pick up point and the Huguenot Museum. We find it an ideal place to stay when in Franschhoek. Two streets back from the main Franschhoek street there is no noise, except the sounds of birds and the occasion squeak from a startled squirrel. On this visit the new extension was in progress and we are certainly looking forward to our next visit and hopefully it will be complete and a new suite to try out. This is not the Best Boutique Hotel only it is the best Team. Which probably makes it the best!!!!!!! Yes you pay for the luxury and it is worth every cent.

This was our second visit to the Akademie Street Boutique Hotel and if we thought the first was impressive, this visit was exceptional. As our daughter was with us we had booked the Oortuiging Cottage with both suites as we enjoyed this the first time, for its private pool, very comfortable suites and with its historical setting its really unique as hotel accommodation goes. Luxury is an understatement for what Akademie is about. The suites have a full range of tea, coffee and mini bar as well as a good stock of snacks. all with a complimentary bottle of sparkling wine (we are not allowed to say champange in SA LOL). the is also a sitting room between the suites and a small area to cook if you need to. Declan and the team of staff are excellent in everything they do to make your stay as wonderful as possible. Charlene and her housekeeping team are one of the best we have had the pleasure of being with. the rooms are clean and serviced and you want for nothing. My daughter suffers from a number of and we are allergies so we always have to be careful of where we go. This was not even the slightest problem for the staff here. Thank you. Breakfast is always a great experience here as they provide one of the best we have ad anywhere on our travels and it has now become the benchmark for how we see other hotels. The variety of fruit is second to none and uniquely prepared and the fruit juice blend is always delicious. The choice of hot breakfasts are also great and you never need to have two of the same. although having said that once you taste the delicious full English, its difficult not to have it everyday. Our daughters breakfasts were prepared separately and she enjoyed this special treat thanks again to Charlene and her staff for going the extra mile, we don't always get this kind of service. The drinks in Orangery before heading out are always a pleasure. Especially when Niki is there playing the piano. It's just one of those special things that you appreciate when you stay at the Akademie. You can lose yourself in her playing and not see time pas then have to rush off to dinner. Within easy walking distance to the main area of Franschhoek town, as well as the Huguenout Museum. Along with views of the mountains that surround the valley. Sadly our four nights passed too quickly, but not before we were planning our next visit. This is definitely the best boutique hotel we have stayed in and the list of awards as you enter the hotel speak for them selves. Your home from home is not just a slogan with the staff at Akademie, they walk the talk TALL!!

This is hospitality at its finest as we have nothing but fantastic things to report about the Akademie Street Hotel. Declan, Babs and the rest of the team make you feel right at home and ensure your stay is the best it can possibly be. Vreugde was our suite and it was simply incredible between the room, expansive bathroom and private pool. I highly recommend asking the team to heat up the wood burning hot tub. I would also highly recommend ordering in food one night and eating while the pianst plays in the orangerie. It served as the perfect evening over live music and a warm fire as we needed a break from all the restaurant dining we did in Cape Town. The breakfast in the orangerie was also a highlight. Unfortunately, our airport transfer came too early to enjoy the second morning we were there, but Declan made sure we were fed before leaving and arranged a to go box for us. You will not go wrong staying at this amazing botique hotel. It has fantastic location with easy proximity to downtown Franschhoek and walking distance to the tram terminal.

I want to start by saying- we are very fussy and have very high expectations. OUR EXPECTATIONS WERE EXCEEDED. This is one of the best hotel experiences I have ever had and after staying in one of the best hotels in Switzerland this summer, this is by far the best location, room quality and design, high levels of customer service, delicious food and all in all a dream of an experience. Thanks to Declan for the amazing introduction. ALL the staff wanted to ensure we had the best time- they were genuine and professional yet they worked out we wanted to enage with them and we had some great conversations. Babs and Charlene- we wanted to take you home with us! Bernard and Glen- thanks for being great bar men. I seriously recommend this hotel for style and service. There is so many surprise during your visit, I don’t want to spoil them for you- FIRST CLASS and remember, we are highly critical so you can imagine the level this hotel is at. We cannot wait to return (hopefully March!) and see the spa area that is currently being built- this will make the Akademie Street experience better -if that is possible. THANK YOU, Paul & Adam xx

A haven of peace with a central location, rooms equipped with every detail and the team, led by Declan, provide a very personal and warm service. Delicious breakfasts too. We will be back!

Unbelievable experience. Everything from the 1st min we arrived was absolutely out of this world. Declan and the team were amazing. Every possible thing was covered. The attendtion to detail was fantastic. The food and drink were wonderful. Our suite was beyond words. Wow what a set up!! Wish we had stayed for longer tahn the 2 nights we had booked. We will definitely return in 2027.