Grande Roche Hotel

We stayed 3 nights at the Grande Roche, at the end of our trip in South Africa and this was certainly the way to end the trip on a High! From Arrival & throughout our stay until departure we had an amazing time & the staff were all first class. We were upgrade to lodge rooms which were lovely and the size of a large 1 bed flat (here in the UK), turn down service each evening just made for the special care and attention. Nothing too much trouble for any of the staff. We used the restaurant on site for breakfast and dinner each day as it was so nice with excellent food both served and presented in such a lovely manor, you felt as they had made each dish for you personally rather than just on mass. The settings of this hotel within a vineyard, with all the separate areas, all of which are meticulously kept in order just makes for a relaxing and calming location. I've already recommended to other friends who will be visiting SA later this year and we will definitely be returning.

We in fact stayed for two months at this hotel, from mid January to mid-March 2025, wanting a relaxed base for a long holiday in South Africa, to avoid the European winter. We chose this hotel from good experiences in previous short stays. We were not disappointed. The hotel itself is small, with only about 30 rooms, but spread around the beautiful grounds and historic buildings. Its setting evokes a Manor House and wine farm, with vineyard areas as well as lawns and attractively planted gardens and great, ancient oak trees. Apart from the hotel accommodation itself, there is a sheltered swimming pool, a spa, and courts where energetic guests can play pickleball. The Venue (the conference and function area) is well-positioned, away from the majority of the hotel accommodation, and there is really no disturbance. Some of the accommodation (the “heritage” rooms) are spilt level, with sleeping space upstairs and a spacious living area downstairs. However, because my husband has eyesight and mobility problems we chose a terrace suite, which has spacious accommodation all on one level, in small thatched terraced groups. Each such suite has its own patio and an evening pleasure was drinking a gin and tonic, or sharing a bottle of house wine from the Hotel’s associated wine farm “Under Oaks”, sitting on this patio and watching the colours change an the mountains opposite as the sun went down, and the lights of Paarl began to twinkle. In the room itself, the king size bed was very comfortable. There was reasonably good wardrobe space; only full length dresses being a little problematic. The sitting room was also comfortably furnished, and all was decorated with an interesting miscellaneous mix of eclectic pictures and ornaments. The bathroom was modern and spacious, and whilst there was some trouble keeping the water inside the surround of the walk-in rain-shower, the housekeepers always restored the bathroom to pristine dry order each day. The food at the Grande Roche is outstanding. First, the hotel scores enormously for not having the ubiquitous buffet breakfast! Usually in such cases, it gets boring seeing the same offering spread out every morning, and all too often, the additional help-yourself items turn outs to be a bit stale. At the Grande Roche, the breakfast menu includes about a dozen imaginatively varied dishes, (so there always feels like a good choice) and all are cooked freshly for you. Furthermore, if you fancy a variation on the actual menu, they will do their best to provide it. So a leisurely breakfast on the terrace, with gorgeous views over the restaurant entrance garden and onwards over vineyards and the Paarl Valley to the magnificent mountains opposite, with the sun rising above them, is a memorable and delightful experience, every day. Dinner raises the standards yet another notch, with a selection of fine dining dishes, with interesting taste combinations, continually being vari

An excellent hotel that oozes class, with a warm and friendly feel to it. The room was large and very comfortable. The food is superb, everything was so well cooked and beautifully presented. The staff are so welcoming and make you feel special. It is a stunning hotel and would thoroughly recommend it.

This Hotel is advertised as #1 “Pet Friendly” hotel in Paarl - I was about to book it but decided to just phone and confirm and was then told they are definitely NOT pet Friendly?? If I booked and paid online - what would have happened if I arrived there and was not allowed??

We first visited Grande Roche in 2023 and had an excellent meal indoors. In February 2025, we returned for lunch and enjoyed a stunning view from the terrace. The lunch was exquisite, and our waiter, Nathan, took great care of us. We would love to come back and highly recommend this place to anyone looking for a truly special experience.

From the moment we arrived at Grande Roche we were greeted by a team of staff whose warmth, attentiveness, and professionalism set the tone for our entire stay. It’s rare to encounter such genuine, discreet service, but the team at this hotel truly goes above and beyond to make you feel welcomed and cared for. Every request, no matter how small, was met with a smile and handled with incredible efficiency, making us feel like valued guests at all times. The hotel itself is absolutely stunning—exquisite in design and beautifully maintained. It strikes the perfect balance of luxury and comfort, with every detail thoughtfully considered. From the spacious rooms to the elegant common areas, it’s clear that no expense has been spared in creating a space where guests can truly relax and unwind. This hotel is, without a doubt, one of the best (if not the best) we’ve had the pleasure of staying at in South Africa. The impeccable service and sheer quality of the accommodations made for a stay we’ll never forget. Our flight was cancelled on the day we were meant to check out and the team have handled it brilliantly. We are comfortable and fortunate to be at the Grande Roche. We can’t wait to return!