A restored turn-of-the-(previous)-century building, Le Ballon Rouge is decorated with a bright Victorian flourish, each room receiving individual attention. Rooms range from comfortable twins to large and luxurious loft suites.

Le Ballon Rouge Guesthouse is near centre of Franschhoek – a delightful village in the Cape Winelands and home to more fine restaurants than people. Food, wine and the beautiful countryside sit high up on the menu and Le Ballon is a great base from which to explore the Franschhoek Winelands area, the mountains, the nature reserves and neighbouring valleys.

All rooms at Le Ballon Rouge Guesthouse en suite bathrooms, ceiling fans, tea and coffee, and either mountain or garden views; the superior rooms have separate showers, heated towel rails and air conditioning. But if you can spare the cash, you have to go for the massive master suite: featuring an antique-deco bathroom with underfloor heating, air conditioning, flat-screen TV, lounge, kitchenette, and a rooftop deck with an open-air hot tub and a magnificent view of the mountains.