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Grande Roche Hotel Location

The largest inland town in the Cape Province, Paarl, is about 60 km North-east of Cape Town, approximately 40 minutes by car. Renowned for its illustrious past and unrivalled scenic beauty, Paarl is dominated by 3 huge granite domes which is Paarl Mountain, and the Berg River which flows through the town. The history of Paarl dates back to 1657 when Abraham Gabbema visited the Berg River valley on one of his exploration trips inland from the Cape settlement. The legend goes that Gabbema stumbled into this beautiful valley after a rainstorm and seeing the glistening granite domes, promptly named it De Paarl (The Pearl), a name which stayed till today. Paarl is the heart of South Africa’s winelands and boasts the headquarters of KWV (Cooperative Wine Growers’ Association) and the start of the Paarl Wine Route. It is primarily an agricultural-based village with few industries. Annual events like the Nederburg Wine Auction, The Festival of the Vine, KWV Canoe Marathon and Paarl Golf Tournaments attract nation-wide interest.

Gym Self Drive Walking Honeymoon Country Lodge Hotel Shopping Conference Facility Photography Birding Cuisine Spa Mountain Biking Sport Facility Day Tour Wine Tasting Swimming Pool Price Range - Southern Africa: $200 - $400

As one of the country’s few five-star estate hotels in South Africa, the Grande Roche of Paarl has become a legend on the local hospitality scene for having won such a formidable array of awards and culinary accolades since its opening in January 1992. This gem of South Africa is set on a gentle slope overlooking vineyards and rugged mountains, the manor house and its sprawl of individually decorated suites are a gentle alternative to the hurly-burly of big city life. And it is the hotel’s subtle attention to detail that sets it apart form the rest. Grande Roche has received a remarkable collection of honours in its relatively brief history: The Diners Club award for the best winelist in South Africa. Bosman’s Restaurant was named as South Africa’s top de luxe restaurant by the American Express/Style magazine. Bosman’s was rated among the Top Ten Restaurants of South Africa in the 1996 Perrier Restaurant Guide and Flying Springbok. Bosman’s was awarded the official Chaine des Rotisseurs blazon. Bosman’s was voted South Africa’s best Chaine du Rotisseur Restaurant. In 1993 the Grande Roche with all it's buildings was declared a national monument. The Grande Roche was awarded the top SATOUR hospitality award, the Silver Classification. Grande Roche became a member of the Relais & Chateaux in November 1994. In 1995 Grande Roche was awarded the Relais Gourmand status by Relais Chateaux. The SATOUR Tourism Award for South Africa's Hotel of the Year 1995.

The immaculately restored 18th century hotel offers 29 luxury suites and 5 executive rooms with features such as thatched roofs, bamboo and yellow wood ceilings. The slave quarters of the old farm have been converted into five luxury Duplex Suites. These are also family suites, as up to 2 extra beds may be made up in the lounge area for the kids. Eighteen suites are dotted around the estate. Trailing vines overhang private terraces that have spectacular views of the vineyards and valleys surrounding the hotel. The elegant Terrace Suites are designed with luxury and comfort in mind - the perfect "home" for a longer stay! Five standard rooms with individual features are situated in the charmingly restored coach house and stables of the estate. Each has a garden terrace with a magnificent view of the Drakenstein Mountains.

The magnificent manor house forms the heart of the hotel and houses Bosman’s Restaurant. Africa’s gracious, first and only Relais Gourmand is a world-class award-winning restaurant. Surrounded by an elegant ambience, you’ll find the mood gracious rather than intimidatingly formal. The food is consistently delicious, offering an honest, contemporary gourmet and vegetarian cuisine. A superb wine list to accompany every palate and expert sommelier’s advice is part of the highly professional service standard. The new BISTRO Allegro is the casual Restaurant for the more relaxed dining experiences.

Facilities include a conference centre, two floodlit tennis courts, two swimming pools, health centre, an intimate historical chapel and an E-Centre. The health centre with steam bath, sauna and the hotel’s own masseur offers total relaxation. With a golf course and some of the Cape’s top wine estates nearby, this hotel is the perfect base for exploring the entire Cape Town environs.

Suggested walking and driving tours from Grande Roche History on your doorstep  The Afrikaans Language Museum on the southern side of Paarl Mountain is a perfect site from which to look out across the Paarl Valley to the Drakenstein Mountains. Drive along the Jan Phillips Mountain Drive to the northern side of the mountain for a panoramic view of Paarl. Visit the Wildflower Garden or drive up to the magnificient rock formation after which Paarl was named. At Rhebokskloof, Landskroon and Zandwijk Estate you can sample fine wines. Visit Fairview Estate, famous for its wines as well as its local cheeses. A walking tour of Paarl Walking down Main Street, visit the Strooidak Church, the old Town Hall, the Oude Pastorie Museum, the Toringkerk (Tower Church) and the many beautifully preserved old buildings, many of which house antique shops, country stores and art galleries. Return to the Hotel by walking along the Berg River Boulevard. A World Famous Winery Possibly the most famous name in South African wines is Nederburg. After sampling superb Nederburg vintages and touring the magnificent cellar, visit the historic Dal Josaphat farmhouses. Then take a tour to Schoongezicht Estate and visit the nearby waterblommetjie farm. Finally, visit the beautifully restored Roggeland, now a guesthouse, and Non Pareille that houses a group of artists who may be exhibiting their work there. Before returning to Grand Roche, pay a visit to the Bhabhatane weavers of Vlakkeland. Beyond the Mountains Take the R45 to Wellington and turn off towards Bain’s Kloof to enjoy a drive along the breathtaking pass. Along the way, swim in the crystal clear mountain water at Tweede Tol. Beyond the Kloof, turn left on the R46 to Tulbagh, one of the most picturesque villages in the Cape. While there, pay a visit to the estate Paddegang and collect some of their excellent wines with their amusing " Frog Theme" labels. Then return to Paarl via the R46 through Nuwekloof, which was the old wagon trail around the mountains. Valleys of Beauty and Plenty Drive through the Huguenot to Worcester to visit Kleinplasie, South Africa’s famous Farm Museum where the visitor can experience life as it was lived since the earliest days of the first settlers. A visit to the Karoo Botanical Gardens is recommended. After sampling some of the locally produced Witblitz (firewater), continue along the N1 to De Doorns and pass by Matroosberg, the highest mountain in the Western Cape. Then head for Ceres, the heart of South Africa’s export fruit growing territory, and continue along the N1, but turn left along the Hex River Pass on the R46. After some 31km through an arid landscape, contrasting sharply with the lush green of the Boland, turn left again to Ceres descending via Theronsberg Pass with a spectacular view of the Valley and its fruit orchards. Finally, return to Paarl along the R43 through Mitchell’s Pass. The Breede River Valley Take the N1 to Worcester, following the signposts for Du Toitskloof Pass and the old road before the Tunnel was built. Enjoy a breathtaking view of Paarl from the summit of the Pass, then turn off in Worcester on the R60 towards Robertson and McGregor, one of the prettiest mid-nineteenth century villages in the Cape. Then continue towards Ashton and go through Cogman’s Kloof on the R62 to Montagu with its famous thermal springs. Into the Wilderness Drive to Wellington via the R45 and on to Gouda. Continue on the R46 then take the R303 and up to the top of Gydo Pass and stop for a magnificent view of the Ceres Valley and the Hex River Mountains. By the way of the Buffelsberg Pass and the Middelberg pass head to Citrusdal . The town is renowned for its orange groves and winery. Continue on the R303 for three kilometres along the Olifants River to turn right after some 13 kilometres to Algeria where you can have a refreshing swim in the clear mountain water of the Cederberg Range. Turn back towards Cape Town taking the N7 and into the R365 to the village of Porterville and see the historic Dutch East India Company cannon in front of the Police Station. Then take the R44 back to Wellington and on to Paarl. Adventure into the Interior Head for Clanwilliam, via the R44 and R356 and continue along the N7. Take the R364 through the Pakhuis Pass, turning off after approximately 37 kms to the village of Wuppertal, a picturesque and unspoiled village of white thatched cottages and a graceful gabled church, where the first Rhenish mission was established in 1830. On the way back to Paarl, stop in at one of the farm stalls along the road to taste the world famous Rooibos health tea. Continue along the N7 to Malmesbury and take the R45 to Paarl. A variation of this tour is a visit to the West Coast. Visit Lamberts Bay, enjoy an Al Fresco meal of fresh fish and crayfish with homemade bread at the Muisbosskerm and visit Bird Island, a paradise for bird lovers.

Friendliness, courtesy, respect, honesty and sincerity - the characteristics of this cosmopolitan team, guarantee true hospitality and a great guest experience.

Nearest City: PAARL

Check In Time: 03:00:00 PM

Check Out Time: 11:00:00 AM