On the banks of the Eerste River, where wild Cape gardens meet heritage architecture and mountain vistas, two new villas are reshaping what it means to stay in the Winelands.
Offering the freedom of a private home combined with the comfort of world-class hospitality, these exclusive retreats signal a fresh chapter in understated and personal luxury travel.
Space, privacy and leisure
At the heart of each villa is the rarest of luxuries: space. Private heated pools and expansive entertainment areas encourage unhurried afternoons. Guests can also enjoy a choice of restaurants, wine bars, a spa, and the children’s Buzz Club, all just a short stroll away.
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These villas complete the hotel’s transformation, which reopened earlier this year following a year-long restoration. The upgraded hotel now features 80 luxury rooms and suites, two new restaurants, three bars, an expansive heated pool, a nature-inspired kids’ club, and the Cape Herbal Spa.
Villas designed as sanctuaries
The three-bedroom Garden and Riverside Villas were created for travellers who prefer the intimacy of a home over a polished suite.
Interiors and lifestyle photographer
Jacques Erasmus, who led the interior design, explains, “These are homes designed for travellers who value complete privacy when exploring the world. A villa allows you to dictate every aspect of your stay.”
Each villa is accompanied by a dedicated service team, including a private chef, to tailor experiences for milestones, family gatherings, or extended remote working away from the city.
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Blurring indoors and outdoors
Designed by architect Paul Luck of Lightspace, the villas blend indoor and outdoor living seamlessly. Ground floors flow into fynbos-filled gardens as part of a rewilding project led by landscape designer Danie Steenkamp. French doors from lounges, dining rooms, and kitchens open onto deep verandas, guiding the eye to heated pools, fire pits, and mountain views.
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Distinctive character in every villa
Each villa has its own personality. The Garden Villa features earthy rust and caramel tones, a private courtyard, and a pergola-shaded outdoor lounge with a fireplace. The Riverside Villa draws inspiration from the river it overlooks, with soft greens and natural textures reflecting the water, trees, and birdlife.
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Upstairs, bedrooms pair deep freestanding tubs with walk-in showers that feature patterned cabochon flooring. Jacques describes this as turning even utilitarian spaces into art.
Interiors that celebrate craftsmanship
Jacques’ design philosophy embraces minimalism without sterility. Lime-washed walls, hand-hammered metalwork, butter-washed linen curtains, antique finds, and tactile weaves add warmth and story to every space. Every detail showcases artisanal skill.
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From blanket stitching inspired by 300 years of Cape embroidery to bed throws created using indigenous plants and centuries-old steaming techniques by artist Ingrid Bolton, the villas are steeped in local craft. Jacques notes, “For guests, it will feel like you are sleeping under the fabric of the garden.”
Art plays a central role, curated with the Spier Arts Trust and complemented by heirloom pieces from the family’s private collection. The result is a distinctly South African aesthetic.
A new philosophy of hospitality
These villas represent more than just expanded accommodation. They embody Spier’s approach to hospitality: slow, considered, and intimately connected to nature. “These are spaces that honour tradition while serving modern needs,” says Jacques. “Homes that feel both timeless and immediate.”
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For travellers seeking more than a conventional hotel stay, Spier’s villas offer something rare. A retreat where privacy, craftsmanship, and nature exist in perfect harmony.
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