Finding Your Quiet Corner at La Residence

Leave Better Than When You Arrived

As summer in the Southern Hemisphere slowly begins to fade, it’s replaced by the warm glow of autumn. It’s a special time at La Residence, where moments of quiet contemplation are inspired by cosy corners, intimate spaces and thirty acres to explore.

There’s a soft golden glow when the light hits the mountains around La Residence at this time of year. If you’re sitting in your private garden in the Vineyard Suites, the golden-ness feels like it’s stretching to greet you in the early morning. Come late afternoon, it reappears – helping you ease into the end of the day, as dusk settles, it’s time to enjoy a glass of something lovely and warm around a crackling fire.

The tawny hues of amber, gold and russet are found everywhere, in the various shades of tall trees to the crunchy leaves beneath one’s feet – this is Franschhoek farmland, and so autumn has a very particular feel of slowing down, taking stock and feeling grounded in nature.

Taking a breather

We take our cues from the beautiful Franschhoek Valley. Long before “rest is not reward” became central to the wellness conversation, it was simply a way of life at La Residence. It still is. The estate offers a variety of nooks and crannies to relax, read, write or just hang out – bookended by coffees, canapés and leisurely meals – because our team understands that great food and special treats are part of self-care.

Strolling around the grounds nurtures both curiosity and a sense of adventure. Visit the beautiful rose garden (there’s a bench in case you want a moment to pause) or venture over to the Tea House overlooking a tranquil pond. As the name suggests, it’s a great spot for afternoon tea or enjoy quiet time in the pergola on a day bed overlooking the water with a good book in hand.

Quiet spots for contemplation

You might want to spend a few hours doing nothing at all – the spacious suites are designed to be enjoyed, with writing desks, comfortable seated areas and balconies that make most of the beautiful views.

The main La Residence pool is an option for some R&R, with sun loungers in secluded enclaves complete with a hint of lavender delivered along an autumn breeze.

While relaxation might look a bit different for those travelling with children, families love to hang together around the private pools at the Vineyard Suites, complete with gardens, private verandahs and easy access to the Terrace Room –there’s a wonderful sense of space and openness for everyone to enjoy.

One Step at a Time

For those whose idea of relaxation means moving, the estate has a mapped walking route – there are plum orchards, olive groves, beautiful gardens and a few friendly estate animals you might want to meet along the way – like the miniature horses. There are also springboks, peacocks and fantastic birdlife. It is less a hike and more a relaxed wander through a beautiful property, with the kind of easy, restorative effect that comes from putting one step in front of the other.

For a big day out in nature, the Mont Rochelle Nature Reserve is nearby. A network of walking and hiking trails winds through fynbos-covered hills above the valley, with views across Franschhoek.

Back at La Residence, the lounges are comfortable, the couches are inviting, and the library definitely has something with your name on it. After a few days of fresh air, good food, afternoon naps and shifting golden light across the mountains, the real world might feel like something worth tackling again.