Franschhoek is one of the oldest towns of the Republic of South Africa, nicknamed the French Corner. Its settlers named their farms after the areas in France they came from. Soon this part of the world became known for its excellent wineries. This is where Akademie Street Boutique Hotel is located, in a historic 1860's cottage. The charming 5-star establishment has only nine luxurious suites and cottages, each with an Afrikaans name as a nod to the property's past.

Akademie takes pride in spoiling and making their guests feel completely at home. In fact, they have gone as far as it to win multiple awards, including "world's best boutique hotel", "top luxury hotel in the world" as well as "world's most romantic hotel". Quite an impressive collection. So what makes Akademie Street Boutique Hotel so unique? First off, it's the nice touches like providing sunscreen and towels for the pool, having the most luxurious beddings you can imagine, delivering tasty pastries and coffee in the afternoon, and even a selection of local wines to taste. But what makes it unique are the wood-fired hot tubs and the fragrant landscaped gardens. In total, there are three wood-fired hot tubs, as well as four pools. The one that's open for all guests is solar heated, and the plunge pools belong to the three guest cottages. The sunlit premises have gorgeous vintage loungers offering invaluable shade during hot hours.

Franschhoek's attractive proximity to Cape Town and its strong wine culture are not the only things in its favor. According to the S.Pellegrino, this part of the country hosts some of the best restaurants, including 'The Tasting Room', one of the top 50 best restaurants in the world according to the S.Pellegrino. Wood-fired hot tub, fantastic wine, and world-class food? Sign me up!