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Number of rooms: 9 suites. Akademie Street Boutique Hotel in Franschhoek offers luxury five star accommodation in five unique buildings all situated on the same beautiful property in a quiet area of the village in the heart of the Cape wine lands. There are four swimming pools and four gardens. This hotel is in a quiet area within easy walking distance to the restaurants. - Owner Managed
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to TGCSA - Tourism Grading Council of South Africa.
Places to stay are graded on a 0-100 scale. The higher the grade, the easier it is for travellers to find restaurants and things to do within walking distance.
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Akademie Street Boutique Hotel is highly regarded for its comfortable and tastefully decorated rooms, which, along with its luxurious amenities, contribute to an eclectic and inviting atmosphere that guests adore. The service at the hotel is often highlighted for its warmth and professionalism.
Nestled in a central yet tranquil location, it offers easy access to local attractions. Patrons have repeatedly expressed satisfaction with the hotel's cleanliness and exceptional value, often calling out the superb breakfast as a highlight of their stay.
Location
Central
Atmosphere
Eclectic
Rooms
Comfortable
Value
Exceptional
Cleanliness
Meticulous
Service
Exceptional
Amenities
Outstanding
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A truly wonderful boutique hotel, the hosts are very warm and welcoming, Declan in particular is a pleasure to see each day. Akademie st Boutique Hotel is so beautiful, the interior is full of gorgeous spaces, I could not stop taking pictures! Also the complimentary minibar along with a certain amount of complimentary laundry is a really nice touch especially if you have been travelling prior to your stay. There are so many little touches that the hotel includes that put a smile on your face from drinks in the orangery, to the sun hats and sun cream for everyone. Location wise it is an excellent base to explore Franschhoek from, a very short walk to the Main Street so perfect for all the restaurants. The rooms are very spacious and extremely well styled and the private pools are perfect for those hot days! All in all a little Gem in Franschhoek.
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Date of stay: January 2020Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from AkaFhk, Manager at Akademie Street Boutique Hotel
Responded 15 Jan 2020
Hello rochelleb806, thank you very much for your very kind & generous review - it is greatly appreciated! We are delighted that you enjoyed your time with us & hopefully we'll all get to meet up again! Kind Regards, Declan & the Akademie Team.
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What an excellent hotel. My husband and I were after something luxury, peacefulness and quality - and Akademie Street Boutique Hotel was exactly that.
Our stay was during COVID pandemic but the hotel was so super cautious to make sure everything in our room was so sanitized and completely clean that we felt so safe, they even have a little checking bag with your room key, sanitizers and face masks that was completely seal. Your entire room is also sanitized and sealed and no one is allowed to entire there for your safety, the precautions they took for safety and sanitation was remarkable.
The luxurious feel runs throughout the hotel and it works so well. Upon entering the hotel you are instantly wowed and that feeling stays throughout the entire stay.
We stayed in a honeymoon suite and was completely blown away by the room as well as the private pool in our garden. The bathroom is so well designed with a huge copper bath and beautiful outside yet private shower. The interior is stunning and the space is the room is fabulous. The bed is so comfortable and enourmous! The pool is a great size and you get an outside dining area as well as sunbathing spot - fab! All bar drinks and snacks are complimentary in the room to which is great. There is also a wood-fired hot tube that you can control by adding less or more timber, it was such a treat.
There is also a heated outside pool with a massage Jacuzzi which is such a nice touch. We spent time in here as well as our own pool as the massage Jacuzzi was great.
The breakfast provides enough for whatever you fancy, with hot and cold foods and drinks, not to mention all the different types of fresh fruit on offer with the local honey and yogurt!
During our stay we were also given complimentary fruits and chocolates left in our room. A lovely touch!
There is a orangery with the most beautiful archway walk that is covered in jasmine, the sweet sent later afternoon is enchanting.
The hotel also provides free bikes if you want them to ride around Franschhoek, they are so old fashioned looking you feel like you are living your own love story cycling on them in Franschhoek.
Such a fab stay and would recommend to all. Such a beautiful hotel, so peaceful and relaxing. The staff are so friendly and helpful, the host Declan is so entertaining and has lots of knowledge of the local restaurants and attractions, they all make you feel so special the entire stay. Thank you so much Akademie, we will definitely be back.
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Date of stay: December 2020
Value
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip:Â All the rooms are excellent
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Declan Mackle, General Manager at Akademie Street Boutique Hotel
Responded 11 Dec 2020
Hi Celia, thank you so much for your super review and very generous comments. It was so enjoyable having your husband & yourself stay with us and we hope that you do return & hopefully can stay a little longer next time! Take care! Kind Regards, Declan & the Akademie Team.
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This was my third stay at Akademie Street and it truly feels like a home away from home now.
I stayed in Twyfeling A on this trip, which is a spacious suite in the main house. I have chosen a different suite/cottage on each visit, which has proven to be exciting and refreshing but with all the familiarity of Akademie Street's consistently exceptional hospitality.
The Akademie team has handled Covid protocols with careful consideration. A lovely care pack with mask and hand sanitiser is presented on arrival, my room was sanitised and sealed prior to my arrival, and staff wear masks at all time. While the cottages already lend themselves to social distancing with their privacy (and private pools), the rooms in the main house are equally comfortable and secure.
As always, the complimentary mini bar (with delicious butter biscuits to go with delicious in-room coffee and REAL milk), nightcaps and breakfast were an absolute treat.
I'm already dreaming of my next stay and which suite I will try when I do. This is by far the most special boutique hotel in the Western Cape.
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Date of stay: November 2020
Rooms
Cleanliness
Service
Room Tip:Â If you're unsure of which room to book, ask them on Instagram for more info/pictures of the...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Declan Mackle, General Manager at Akademie Street Boutique Hotel
Responded 27 Nov 2020
Hi Emma J, thank you so much for your lovely comments - believe me they are so appreciated especially in such times. As always, it was a real pleasure playing host to you again & we look forward to your next visit! Kind Regards, Declan & the Akademie Team.
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We have stayed at Akademie before and knew we'd be back. Like so many places in SA, the hospitality is second to none. Declan, Stacey and Manette are the hosts with the most - never intrusive but anything you need is totally taken care of.
Akademie itself is absolutely stunning - all of the rooms are different and an email to to the team will have you booking the one that suits your needs the best. They are all geared for peace and privacy. Each room (which is very spacious by the way) has something special to offer. The interiors have been beautifully curated and the outside space is stunning. Aside from the main pool, several rooms have their own and there are private hot tubs too … The location is perfect also - you are on the main street in Franschhoek in minutes.
These lovely people could not make your stay better if they tried. We left yesterday and it was like leaving friends behind ...
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Date of stay: January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from AkaFhk, Manager at Akademie Street Boutique Hotel
Responded 26 Jan 2020
Hi flashywings, It was so lovely having you both back again and we are delighted that you enjoyed your time with us. Such lovely words are greatly appreciated indeed! Hopefully, we'll see you both back very soon. Thanks again! Kind Regards, Declan & the Akademie Team.
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My wife and I typically try to seek out the most authentic boutique hotels and B&Bs when we travel to get a "local" experience - keeping in mind that "boutique" is thrown around pretty liberally these days - and, without a doubt, Akademie Street is the best lodging experience we've had. This is an incredibly unique and well-designed property with no detail left unattended to. It's clear Declan and his team have a passion for this property and hosting guests and it comes thru in everything from check in, to the rooms, to the incredible breakfast to the general interactions and hospitality. The breakfast was outstanding and the location 2 easy walking blocks to downtown Franschhoek and it's amazing restaurants and shops is super convenient. We hope to be best back soon!
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Date of stay: December 2019
Location
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip:Â If you're traveling with 2 couples, highly recommend you request the Gelatenheid A & B rooms
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from AkaFhk, Manager at Akademie Street Boutique Hotel
Responded 07 Jan 2020
Hi guys, thank you so much for taking time to review your recent stay with us. We are delighted that you enjoyed your stay with us and hope that maybe some day you will return! You will be warmly welcomed back! Kind Regards, Declan & the Akademie Team.
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A year later than originally planned due to COVID we finally managed to make it to Akademie Boutique and had such a fantastic stay.
This was the second time we had stayed with Declan and the team and we were welcomed as if we were family (which is how they make you feel during your stay - the biggest compliment I can pay them is it does feel just like home …. although to a much higher standard that ours !).
We booked 5 nights in the spacious Gelatenheid B room which offers a large lounge, kitchen area (with a complimentary selection of drinks in the fridge) hot tub and swimming pool (which is shared with the room above). There is also a complimentary washing service for your clothes although there is a daily limit.
Breakfast is served in the Orangerie and are as incredible as ever. They serve all guests with a fresh fruit platter with yogurt and their wonderful granola. You can then order hot dishes from an extensive menu or there are a selection of pastries.
In the evening, Declan also offers complimentary pre / post dinner drinks (wines and spirits) served in the Orangerie along with some snacks.
I can’t recommend Akademie highly enough - yes, it is expensive (we paid R10,500 / night so c£500) but in our opinion it was worth every penny. They think of everything and I only wish that other hotels could match the standards they set at Akademie.
A special thanks to Declan, Annette, Morne and all the team who looked after us so well. I literally had to drag my wife out the door at the end of our stay - we can’t wait to return.
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Date of stay: November 2021Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:Â Just enjoy the stay, dine at the many wonderful restaurants - we can highly the wine tasting at...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Declan Mackle, General Manager at Akademie Street Boutique Hotel
Responded 04 Dec 2021
Hi folks, thank you so much for your very kind & generous words - they are greatly appreciated indeed, especially coming from returning guests! Thank you also for your persistence - we know it was not easy for you to return this time, so we are even more delighted that you both felt it was really worth it ! Hopefully, next time, will not be so difficult! Thanks again, take care & look after each other! Declan & The Akademie Team.
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Now come on, it's pretty unusual to be quite THAT sorry to leave a hotel after four nights. Hugs and fond farewells all round for the lovely lady that looked after our room, Manette in front of house, Paul (owner) and his family and of course, the wonderful Declan, Ireland's finest and warmest host. It's almost as if Declan has landed up here after a lifetime of delivering passionate Standards in Practice. Believe me, he runs this place rather well.
Akademie Street is at the very top of the charts in terms of luxury, facilities and contemporary gorgeousness. The bedrooms and communal spaces (courtyard, pool, orangerie, boules etc etc) are amazing - I think "curated" is the vibe, but it's not pretentious or forced. It's what you'd really like to do to your own house, but like me, you simply don't have the imagination. You will feel spoiled on arrival and it continues until the moment you leave. You will also eat a breakfast for Kings, nibble and sip complimentary treats from dawn til dusk and splash around in your own wood fired hot tub after dark.
The South African winelands boast some pretty amazing places to stay, but if you can, (and you really, really should) DO stay here for a few days. It's our second time and it certainly won't be our last. I LIKE hugging the staff goodbye and I already miss my morning Granola....
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Date of stay: February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Declan Mackle, General Manager at Akademie Street Boutique Hotel
Responded 28 Feb 2020
Hi folks, to say your incredible review has made everyones's day on Akademie Street, would be a massive understatement - thank you so much! To hear such lovely words from returning guests is even more satisfying & we certainly hope to get to see you back on Akademie Street very soon! We certainly look forward to'pick and mixing' it up a little more with you both next time! Kind Regards, Declan & the Akademie Team.
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We stayed there for 3 nights. It's location is perfect to visit Franschhoek's restaurants and the wine tram as it's just a couple of roads parallel from the main road with lots of restaurants. The area feels safe and we walked down to the restaurants from the hotel some evenings. It's also only a short cab journey to most of the other restaurants in vineyards.
The real story of this hotel is Declan the host. He ensures that everything is exactly as you would want it. There are the fluffiest towels you can imagine all perfectly laid on the sun beds by the pool at all times, fresh water on hand at all times, sun cream and extra towels in baskets by the pool. Everything is really well thought out and if there is anything you need at all Declan is always on hand to help you, he literally would get an 11 for the "how was your host" question on Four in a bed.
The breakfast is really nice. Everyday you're bought out a platter of over 10 fruits each morning, a bowl of lovely oats, honey, a bowl of yogurt and a freshly made smoothy of the day. You then choose a nice drink from their menu and once you're done with your opening course you then order a hot or cold freshly prepared breakfast. Such a nice way to start your day round the pool having that breakfast in the shade.
There are lovely little games dotted around for you to play, liked board games, cards and bowls. There are bikes which you can take out for a ride, and Declan puts out cocktails and wine every evening for you to sit down and enjoy with other guests or in your own space. Everything is complimentary and as I said you really feel welcomed and at home when you're there.
All the rooms are really nicely decorated and I'm sure will be up to anyone's standards. Our room was one of the smaller rooms and in hindsight I think we should have got a larger room (which are literally massive) so that we felt we had more space.
The only down side is that it's not immune to load shedding as it doesn't have a generator, but the WiFi still works and it's not like it's unbearable when the power goes off as it's still such a lovely place which works well with some candle light.
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Date of stay: January 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Declan Mackle, General Manager at Akademie Street Boutique Hotel
Responded 23 Jan 2023
Hi folks, thank you so much for the lovely review and you really are too kind with your great comments, but trust me - it is greatly appreciated - by all the team! We are delighted that you loved your time with us & hopefully we will have the pleasure of your company again some time - you will be warmly welcomed back! Take care of each other & safe travels.
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The best sort of experiences are those that live on in your mind long afterwards, and our fabulous night away at Akademie Street Hotel is a perfect example. As we arrived, Declan greeted us with the warmest welcome at the beautiful Cape Dutch style entrance. The boutique hotel is beautifully, decorated with personal and quirky touches everywhere. The service was outstanding - nothing was too much trouble and every detail was considered. Fresh towels at the pool, the outdoor hot tub steaming, chilled wine in the fridge... even a fire was lit when we arrived back from dinner out in the conservatory, for our late night complimentary drinks . The bedrooms are luxurious, with crisp cotton sheets, a free standing copper bath, and a powerful shower to wake us up! We really didn't want to leave. Just one night, and we felt like we had been on a whole weekend's retreat. Declan and his team's charm and hospitality made us feel that we arrived as guests and left as friends. We can't thank you all enough.
Our only regret... that we didn't stay longer.
Oh and the COVID safety protocols were next level, which was so reassuring.
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Date of stay: December 2020
Rooms
Cleanliness
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Declan Mackle, General Manager at Akademie Street Boutique Hotel
Responded 09 Dec 2020
Hi Sarah B, thank you so much for such a generous & complimentary review. We are delighted that you enjoyed your brief stay with us - hopefully next time you will be able to stay a little longer! You will be warmly welcomed back! Kind Regards, Declan & the Akademie Team.
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My husband and I stayed at Akademie Street Boutique Hotel for two nights... and I wish we would have stayed much longer. Declan went above and beyond to make sure our short stay was comfortable. The atmosphere of the hotel is just perfect. Each room feels so special and unique. Breakfast each morning started with fruit, yogurt and granola, and then you could order off of a hot menu if you'd like. We enjoyed everything we had. It was also great that there was a happy hour for guests every night, so we could meet others staying at the hotel and enjoy a few glasses of wine before we would set off for our dinner reservations. Declan was always sure to check in with us to make sure we had a ride to wherever we were eating, or if it was walkable, he would describe the walk to us before leaving. Speaking of walking... the hotel is located in the perfect spot to be able to walk to the Franschhoek main street where most restaurants are. Akademie Street just completely blew my husband and I away. We left early, before breakfast hours, our last morning, and the staff set us out breakfast anyways, and made sure to help us with our bags. I just cannot say enough great things about the beautiful hotel and the wonderful people working there. I hope to visit again one day!
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Date of stay: January 2020
Location
Cleanliness
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from AkaFhk, Manager at Akademie Street Boutique Hotel
Responded 29 Jan 2020
Hi folks, thank you so much for your very kind & generous review. We are delighted that you enjoyed your time with us and we too hope you visit again one day. Kind Regards, Declan & the Akademie Team.
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Franschhoek, South Africa5 contributions5 helpful votes
Hi Ugo,
We hope that you are well & thank you for your enquiry.
Sadly, we currently do not have any vacancies, but wish you every success in your search for employment. Take care & Good luck!
Kind Regards,
The Akademie Team.
Franschhoek, South Africa5 contributions5 helpful votes
Hi,
I trust you are well & thank you for your interest in Akademie St. Boutique Hotel. Our offer here is one of Bed & Breakfast only - we do not have a restaurant nor a bar, so sadly, we would not be able to provide you with the experience you seek. But thanks again for the query.
Regards,
Declan
Franschhoek, South Africa5 contributions5 helpful votes
Hi there & thanks for your inquiry. Firstly, as regards us, at Akademie Street Boutique Hotel, we are actually closed for June & July for essential repairs & maintenance. Sorry about that!
As I am sure you are aware, the Western Cape is currently experiencing the worst drought in living memory! ‘Day Zero’, the day the Cape will officially run out of mains water, has been brought forward from April 21 to April 12. Recently, authorities in Cape Town sadly have reiterated that Day Zero will definitely arrive & happen in Cape Town! We, in Franschhoek, whilst still adhering to the compulsory water restrictions are faring a little better than Cape Town! Hopefully we will not experience ‘day zero’ in Franschhoek. We are very lucky, with our location nestled amongst the mountains and hence have a plentiful supply of underground ‘bole hole’ water. Hence, everyone in Franschhoek, residential, commercial and in deed the local municipality, are currently drilling to avail of this precious resource! It is hoped that our entire area will be totally independent of the severely depleted dams & reservoirs by the end of March. We too, are planning to drill our own bore hole before the end of February, and whilst there are no guarantees, early surveys & indications are excellent! It is hoped that we will have sufficient water to service the entire Hotel!
However, we too must adhere to the necessary compulsory water restrictions, in an attempt to save water and comply with the daily personal water allowance of 50 litres per day per person! Thankfully, to date, all our guests are in agreement that the various measures, listed below, have done little if anything to adversely impact upon their enjoyment of their stay with us! Long may it last! These include :
Pools are not to be filled up – ours are currently operational, if a little low!
All garden irrigation system have been switched off.
The use of bath tubs are prohibited – guests are encouraged to have quick showers instead.
Guest bed linen & towels are only changed every 2nd day.
Guest personal laundry has been suspended.
These are the likely restrictions that our guests are probably going to notice, but hopefully, are not going to find them particularly difficult to adhere to! We are obviously doing many other things behind the scenes to further save water, such as water harvesting, use of ‘grey water’ etc. Everything helps!
Kind Regards,
Declan
Franschhoek, South Africa5 contributions5 helpful votes
Hi Michelle, It's Declan here from Akademie Street. Thanks for your enquiry. Hopefully, you will get some independent answers to your query, but let me just outline a few of the differences between Gelatenheid A & B. Both are similarly finished to the same high 5 star standards & in a similar style, but the ground floor - B is ever so slightly larger. It boasts a larger lounge area and has a kitchen. It also has it's own private external entrance & private parking bay. The big advantage with the upstairs suite, is obviously the balcony and of course the views! Whilst my own personal preference would be 'B' on the ground floor, early indications are that guests prefer the upstairs 'A' suite! But, as I say, hopefully, you will get some independent opinions. Kind Regards, Declan.
Franschhoek, South Africa5 contributions5 helpful votes
Hi Stephan N, thanks for your enquiry. As Gordon E stated, our main communal pool is electrically heated and can be set accordingly. I normally set it at 25 degrees, so in summer time it is atleast at this temperature - indeed given our summers here, it will be many degrees higher than that! Whilst this pool is heated all year round, in winter time, it may not feel like it! Currently, our 3 private pools are not heated, which obviously is not an issue in summer time and we find that not many want to use outdoor pools in the winter. We are, however currently looking at the possibility of heating these pools too. Kind Regards, Declan
There are more places to choose from in the Franschhoek area.
PRICE RANGE
RÂ 11,004 - RÂ 14,285 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
LOCATION
South AfricaWestern CapeFranschhoek
NUMBER OF ROOMS
9
Prices are provided by our partners, and reflect average nightly room rates, including taxes and fees that are fixed, known to our partners, and due at time of booking. Please see our partners for more details.
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