Protea Hotel Franschhoek: A Bonvoy-Worthy Stay in Wine Country

May 29, 2025, will always be a memorable day—our check-in at the Protea Hotel Franschhoek and a long-awaited reunion with my sister, Denise, who had arrived in South Africa the day before.

As we rode through Franschhoek, we were immediately taken by its charm. The town has such a small-town, Mayberry-like feel—a place where you can slow down, enjoy the scenery, and feel at home instantly. We loved it and couldn’t wait to settle into our hotel and begin exploring.

First Impressions at the Protea Hotel

From the moment we arrived, we were warmly welcomed. Andrew, the bellhop, and the receptionist greeted us with smiles and recognized us as Marriott Elite members, which made us feel genuinely valued. The lobby stood out with its bright, colorful murals—proof that, despite its age, the hotel has character and is well-maintained.

We checked into a two-bedroom suite that Denise would share with us. Honestly, it felt more like a small apartment: a mini-kitchen with a washer/dryer, a cozy living room, and a balcony. The only drawback? Just one bathroom—not quite ideal for three people, but workable since we’re a family.

The suite was located in a separate building, situated up the street from the main hotel. At times, it almost felt like we were staying in a completely different property. Due to the separation, dining in the hotel restaurant sometimes felt inconvenient, and we usually ate early and returned before dark. If (or instead, when) we come back, we’d definitely book a room connected to the main building.

Dining That Surprised Us

Despite that hiccup, the Hussar Grill restaurant at the Protea Hotel quickly won us over. Breakfasts and dinners became highlights of our stay. The steaks, fresh vegetables, appetizers, eggs, bacon, fruit, and of course, wine, were all top-notch.

It was here we were first introduced to Klein Goederust, the first—and only—100% Black-owned wine farm in the Franschhoek Valley. Our first tasting took place at the hotel itself. Spoiler: it was not our last!

Value and Location

Another plus—the Protea was one of our more affordable stays in South Africa.

• My sister’s single room cost 2,403.80 ZAR (~$138.61 USD) per night.
  

• Our two-bedroom suite came to 22,028.10 ZAR (~$1,270.19 USD) for 5 days and 4 nights.
  

The location couldn’t have been better. We were right in the heart of Franschhoek, within walking distance to shops, restaurants, and even the Wine Tram.

Our Rating: 4.6 / 5 ⭐

Here’s how we broke it down:

• Service: 5/5
  

• Location & Walkability: 5/5
  

• Restaurant Dining & Recommendations: 5/5
  

• Suite (layout, noise, being offsite): 3/5
  

• Charm & Character: 5/5

Franschhoek truly stole our hearts. Between the welcoming staff, the central location, and the incredible food and wine, the Protea Hotel Franschhoek provided us with a stay we’ll never forget. While our suite setup wasn’t perfect, the experience as a whole more than made up for it.

If you’re planning a trip to the valley, this hotel is a solid choice—affordable, charming, and close to everything. Pair that with the warmth of South African hospitality, and you have a place worth returning to.

Would we stay again? Absolutely—though next time, we’ll make sure our room is inside the main building. 😉

Have you ever visited Franschhoek or stayed at the Protea Hotel? We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments!

Stay tuned, because in our next post, we’ll hop aboard the famous Franschhoek Wine Tram—a rolling adventure through vineyards, tastings, and views that wine lovers dream about.