Less than a year after opening in Franschhoek, Leeu Estates has been featured on the 21st edition of the Condé Nast 2017 HOT LIST, the only South African accommodation property to make the list of 75 accommodation properties, and one of only seven properties in Africa. The accolade complements the five star boutique hotel making the  2017 Travel + Leisure It List. 

Reflecting the best accommodation properties that have opened in the past year, the 2017 Condé Nast HOT LIST was compiled by staff of the magazine, who reviewed new properties around the world, visiting them personally.  Initially 675 properties were considered for evaluation. ‘From this the outstanding winners are chosen, hotels that represent the vanguard of the hotel world’, states the media statement we received from Waterford Communications on behalf of Leeu Estates. Condé Nast writes that ‘The winners are properties that made us giddy not just because they have onsen big enough to swim laps in, the piano where Rossini composed Tancredi, or Louise Bourgeois sculptures, but because they helped us become the kind of travelers we want to be. Our annual Hot List, a rigorous selection of our favorite new hotel openings of the past year, is a predictor of what properties will stand the Test of time, make history, and let you reimagine how you want to live and travel’. 

Leeu Estates is one of only 44 properties that made the Travel + Leisure It List earlier this year. 

Leeu Estates opened its doors in July last year, and is a quality property offering accommodation, a Spa, a restaurant, and a tasting centre of Mullineux & Leeu Family wines, one of the best performing wine estates in our country when it comes to wine awards. The property is 68 ha in size, and is a working wine farm. The property offers excellent service, award-winning wines, an extensive art collection, and landscaping which includes indigenous fynbos. 

Long-awaited Leeu Estates opens in Franschhoek, love at first sight!

Leeu Collection founder Mr Analjit Singh originally planned to create a family home on the Leeu Eatates property, but this evolved into three historic farms being fused together to create a leading hospitality and winemaking destination. He fell in love with Franschhoek during a visit to our country for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. 

‘I am extremely grateful for all the people who never stop discovering new places. Being mentioned among some of the world’s best new hotels with the highest standards, is a confirmation of Leeu Collection’s philosophy, the effervescent talent of our team and the memorable journey we want every guest to experience and revisit’, said Leeu Collection CEO Carrie Wicks. 

Leeu Estates, Leeu Collection, Franschhoek. Tel (021) 492-2222. www.leeucollection.com Twitter: @LeeuCollection Instagram: @LeeuCollection

Chris von Ulmenstein, WhaleTales Blog: www.chrisvonulmenstein.com/blog Tel 082 55 11 323 Twitter: @Ulmenstein Facebook: click here Instagram: @Chris_Ulmenstein