The Last Word Franschhoek

It’s not the last word in boutique style, or in gilded luxury-hotel opulence, but if discreet comfort is the last word in hospitality, then The Last Word is aptly named. A high-end six-room guesthouse in Franschhoek village, in the South African winelands, isn’t exactly a hard sell in the first place, but when those rooms (and suites) are as tranquil and elegant as these, a bit of boastfulness in the name is more than justified.

The three big double rooms have oversized stone-clad bathrooms, as well as private patios and gardens; they’re anything but cramped. The classic suite is almost fifty per cent bigger, and the two pool suites come with their own private pools, which means they’re pretty well self-contained. The Last Word can be played either way — it can be an exceedingly private escape if you want it to be, but it’s also perfectly sized for a bit of classic country-house social life.

One central pool serves the rooms that don’t have their own, and it’s the daytime hub of the place, at least in summer. There are plenty of reasons to step out, though — the Franschhoek valley is naturally blessed, and it’s a paradise for foodies and wine lovers. It’s a good life.