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Leeu Estates In South Africa’s Cape Winelands Retains Its 5-Star Premium Status
Franschhoek, South Africa, June 2021: Leeu Estates, the flagship property of Leeu Collection located in the heart of South Africa’s Cape Winelands, has retained its Tourism Grading Council of South Africa (TGCSA)’s 5-Star Premium status.
In line with government guidelines, Leeu Estates (a 23-room country house retreat and boutique winery in the Franschhoek valley) was closed for part of 2020. During this time, Leeu Collection founder Analjit Singh took a fresh look at all three Leeu properties in Franschhoek (Leeu Estates, Leeu House and Le Quartier Français), resulting in improvements that have taken them to the next level.
The amalgamation of the four farms that form Leeu Estates was completed; nearly 900 olive trees were planted alongside orchards and an herb garden to reduce field to fork miles and to ensure organic local produce for all the hotel’s restaurants; and the overall acreage under vineyards was doubled, ensuring that a truly immersive winelands experience awaits guests.
All Leeu Estates’ rooms were renovated and upgraded, with six new rooms and cottages created. The terrace at the Manor House, the main building on the Estates, was also extended to create an expansive wooden deck giving guests more space to enjoy the panoramic views of the Franschhoek Valley and two helipads were built for fast, secluded transfers from Cape Town.
Additionally, having made a conscious decision several years ago to focus on creating exceptional experiences for its guests by partnering with the best in class in the fields of wine-making, artistic endeavour and dining out, Leeu Collection reached an agreement with world-class South African spa brand Healing Earth to manage Leeu Spa, supported the opening of a new Everard Read Gallery set among the vineyards and welcomed La Petite Colombe (sister restaurant to the world-renowned La Colombe in Constantia) to its grounds.
When government guidelines allowed, Leeu Estates re-opened and remains open, if only at weekends, so that South African residents can enjoy a short break in the Winelands.
On receiving the Tourism Grading Council of South Africa (TGCSA)’s 5-Star Premium status. Once again, Mr Singh said: “I am delighted at the news that Leeu Estates has retained its 5-Star Premium status; the Leeu Estates team has worked extremely hard in difficult times to maintain and further improve standards, so it is with great pride that their efforts have been recognised.”
For further information, please telephone +27 21 492 2222 or email reservations@leeucollection.com or visit www.leeucollection.com
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Notes for editors
Leeu Collection (in Sanskrit singh means lion, which is leeu in Afrikaans) comprises three five-star boutique properties in South Africa (Leeu Estates, a 23-room country house retreat and boutique winery in the Franschhoek valley; Leeu House, a 12-room hotel in the heart of Franschhoek village; and Le Quartier Francais, a romantic 32-room hotel with two independent villas also located in the village) and Linthwaite House, an historic 36-bedroom property in the UK’s Lake District. Another Leeu property is due to open in Florence in 2021.
Leeu Collection works closely with leaders in the food and spa industries to ensure a first-class experience at all its properties. The world-renowned La Colombe team has restaurants at Leeu Estates and Le Quartier Francais, while the award-winning Darren Badenhorst runs the F&B operations at Leeu Estates and Leeu House. In the UK, Michelin-starred chef Simon Rogan oversees the food offering at Linthwaite House. South African brand Healing Earth, which is dedicated to award-winning quality, unparalleled service excellence and memorable experiences, manages the Leeu Spa in Franschhoek.
Extending beyond the offering of luxury accommodation, Analjit Singh is a partner in Mullineux & Leeu Family Wines, which produces award-winning wines in the Swartland wine region some 80km north of Cape Town.
Leeu Collection also has a partnership with Everard Read, which showcases contemporary artworks by Southern African artists. Everard Reads’ first Franschhoek gallery is a considered space adjacent to Le Quartier Francais in the heart of Franschhoek, while the new gallery showcasing monumental art and featuring a sculpture garden is located on Leeu Estates, with indoor and outdoor artworks.
For more information and hi-res images, please contact:
Nicolette Waterford
Group Advisor
Tel: 082 807 4447
Email: nicolette.waterford@leeucollection.com | press@leeucollection.com