There is no doubt this hotel has the highest reputation in Franschhoek but we found it all a bit pretentious and over-rated.
The bedroom was nice but with almost fluorescent green and cerise touches to the furnishings and bathroom. The bed was very comfortable but on night 2 we hardly slept a wink - caused by a branch of a close-by tree banging on the roof in the strong wind. We are quite sure this wasn't the first time it had happened to that room but clearly no action had been taken to lop or top the offending branch.
Dinner in The Tasting Room was a 'work of art' and it boasted the best of South African produce - maybe so but it was so elaborate and required great verbal descriptions by the waiting staff for us to know what it was we were eating. Why produce the written menu at the end of the meal rather than the beginning!!
The award winning chef, Margot Janse, paid a cursery visit to the table - hoped we had an enjoyable meal and moved quickly on before we could respond.
Breakfast was interesting with the buffet table having different fruits in different glasses which the guests then had to empty into other plates to create their own 'fruit salad'. Another guest was taking photographs of the buffet from all angles - that was obviously what he found of greatest interest. Table service was fine but on the first morning my fried eggs were overcooked as was the bacon. A check for the breakfast was given to me to sign but when advised that I was on a Bed and Breakfast tariff I was advised it was simply to provide a gratuity.
The swimming pool area is a nice place to sit (there was no other place for guests to sit other than their rooms) and it was overlooked on 3 sides by the bedrooms.
We had difficulty on checking out - our bill included 2 nights accommodation which had been paid to our travel agent months before. It got sorted and deleted by why included in the first place.
What I would say, however, is that Linda in reception provided excellent service to my sister-in-law who was feeling unwell and which was truly appreciated.
Would we stay at Le Quartier Francais again - with so many alternatives in the town the simple answer is NO. But it was an interesting 'once only' experience.
- Le Quartier Francais Franschhoek
- Le Quartier Francais Hotel Franschhoek
