La Clé des Montagnes Debuts Luxury Villa's in Franschhoek

Le Grange Bedroom

Franschhoek is right on trend with the opening of the luxury villa  accommodation that has taken the world by storm.

The pinnacle of sophisticated ‘home away from home’ comfort and the ‘hottest’ luxury accommodation option in the historical Winelands village, here four elegant and individually designed villas have been designed to meet the requirements of the very upper end of the market.

Nestled in picturesque Franschhoek, South Africa’s most famed wine region La Clé des Montagnes meaning -the key to the mountains- invites you to drink in its quiet opulence. Accommodating between two and eight guests per villa, situated at the historic La Grange homestead, within walking distance from the village centre. Rates start at R7500 per couple per night, and include Continental breakfast, as well as a selection of preferred beverages. 



Developed by international entrepreneur Michael Pawlowski, an active member of the Franschhoek community since relocating from Europe in 2007, La Clé provides a villa experience on a working plum and wine farm. Plans are in place to develop an exclusive wedding venue on the property.

Homes in the true sense of the word, children of all ages are welcome. With spacious indoor and outdoor areas, the villas lend themselves perfectly to entertaining, with comfortable living rooms with fireplaces and a library, private gardens, terraces and swimming pool sand fully equipped kitchens.



Le Colonial

Set across six hectares, the rolling lawns, private swimming pools and tranquil garden setting is perfect for couples, friends and family seeking the privacy, space and mod-cons of a private home, yet with 24-hour concierge, butler and full hotel service, under the watchful eye of experienced hotelier Peggy Klement as General Manager.
Services range from private chefs and child-minders, to helicopter transfers and golf excursions. Peggy Klement says: ‘Multigenerational travel is one of the biggest emerging trends in travel across the globe, along with guests demanding space, privacy and discreet service. What we offer at La Clé essentially, is so much more than a hotel room – this is a top of the range self-catering villa product designed to meet the needs and expectations of the sophisticated traveller. We are receiving a lot of interest in extended stays, for guests wanting to unpack and stay a week or two to explore the Cape Winelands and really live the Franschhoek lifestyle.’



Cape Town interior designer Sarah Ord has created a visionary masterpiece of plush interior designing referencing her signature style and personal inspiration. Muted earth tones emphasising the use of light awash with the colours, landscapes and cultures of South Africa, to create a warm and welcoming ambience for each of the four custom designed villas.

An exciting collage of colour, heritage, magnificent fabrics and objets d’art, each villa is uniquely different. In some, unique pieces of furniture dominate an entire room with their history and a touch of colonial splendour while throughout, hand selected artworks and a sprinkling of South African design present a combination of contemporary and traditional decor at its best. Sarah Ord’s vivid tableware collection graces each villa, showing her devotion to saturated colour and vibrant pattern in crockery, glassware, cutlery and table linen. 

LA GRANGE

Reminiscent of a highlands lodge or country manor, La Grange is the family farm you always yearned for - surrounded by plum orchards, vineyards and magnificent mountain views. This space is one of the original Victorian buildings on the La Clé des Montagnes farm, which has been transformed into an open barn space with warm palettes gracing the interior.

Visualise soaring poplar beams, an enormous fireplace and flawless oak floors, with small turquoise touches, tweed and tartan, old leather, and burnt sienna and turmeric accents adding to the interior’s design. A farm kitchen, nostalgic of garden vegetables, fragrant bread and fresh milk adds a special touch to the La Grange villa experience, with three bedroom suites.

LE MANOIR

Industrial French highlights pieced side-by-side with antique furniture gives this Victorian farmhouse with the broad-plank wooden floors, soaring sash windows and heavy doors its appeal. Classic toiles, soft linen, French red with black and white ticking stripe features are reminiscent of the contemporary Huguenot, and red is the signature accent for Le Manoir. 








Visualise stripes in all interpretations, red fabrics, objects and furniture, French cockerel patterns, as well as toile and contemporary polka dots, black and white rococo portraits claiming the design of this two bedroom suite villa. Three-dimensional wall hangings tell a story of their own, and hand painted or lacquered furnishings are just some of the finishing touches that add that special flavour.

LE COLONIAL

Showcasing South Africa’s multi-flavoured heritage, the four bedroom Le Colonial villa is African in its overall feeling - with a modern twist. Colour and vivid print fabric designs are evocative to tribal beading, woodcut artwork, collected maps and artefacts; a tribute to both ethnic origin and colonial vernacular.

Visualise reclaimed branches and twigs woven into chandeliers, lights and mirror frames, Morrocan hand-made tiles, grass wallpaper, and bold saturated colour. The multi-layered interior is decorated with plush comfortable furniture and quirky detail that will catch your eye around every corner.

LA GALERIE

An enginmatic breakaway from the pastoral setting alltoghether. Vivid, dramatic and contemporary design sets this villa apart from the other three. The design and lay-out makes for a rolling exhibition of various artworks to be exhibited around the house. Gallery lighting and picture hanging systems have been installed for this purpose. The blocked colour of furniture or dark grey matt finish walls drive a sensory experience perfectly suited for wine tastings and food sensations.

There is very little pattern in the villa fabric choice, but shades of shocking pink, sunshine yellow, and cobalt blue pop against the charcoal grey of the overall scheme. Visualise a carved fireplace balancing the stainless steel of the open kitchen, brass ironmongery, bathroom fitting and accent metalwork, with oak grained joinery balanced with high gloss surfaces and raw wood legs. Hot colour, velvets and silk add to the ambience Ord has created in this two bedroom villa.

With its pastoral setting  and panoramic vistas it’s the ideal breakaway from the city. Le cle de montagnes Is the key to tranquil repose.

 

A WORKING WINE FARM

Guests are able to experience the magic of living on a working wine farm, with vineyards reflecting the changing seasons, and culminating in the highlight: the annual harvest in the summer months. Here Wynand Pienaar, viticulturist and winemaker produces an exclusive, boutique range of cultivars from the 1.29 hectare under vine on the farm.

These include Cabernet Sauvignon, a recently planted Shiraz block, and plans to add Viognier in the near future. While wine was first produced on the farm some 15 years ago, the very first wine to be bottled under the La Clé des Montagnes label will be the La Clè des Montagnes Cabernet Sauvignon, due for release in 2013/2014. Pienaar brings with him a wealth of experience gained through more than 16 years in the wine industry.

He is also the winemaker at the owner’s Franschhoek wine estate La Chaumiere, where he has been producing Pinot Noir, Shiraz, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and a Blanc de Blanc MCC under the La Chaumiere label since 2010. The wines are available to be enjoyed by guests at La Clé des Montagnes.