Why this boutique hotel in Franschhoek can't stop winning awards

Perfection. Sheer perfection

Why this boutique hotel in Franschhoek can’t stop winning awards

This small home away from home is racking up the accolades. It’s easy to see why

Why this boutique hotel in Franschhoek can't stop winning awards

Perfection. Sheer perfection

In a small corner of Cape Town’s wine country, there’s Franschhoek. A whimsical, soothingly serene location that’s good for the soul. So there is no surprise that it’s home to a cosy hotel with a burgeoning reputation as “the world’s best”.

Akademie Street Boutique Hotel has had a phenomenal start to the year. Due to their breathtaking location, world class service, and luxurious opulence, they have become one of the best loved holiday spots on the planet. But don’t take out word for it, their awards cabinet speaks for itself…

At the turn of the year, Akademie Street were recognised for being The World’s Best Boutique Hotel. That is some going, considering they were on a shortlist of 600 nominees from 80 countries. When you get inside their walls, it’s easy to understand how they’ve earned their top spot:

A look inside Akademie Street

Luxury beds for when you’ve had a long, hard day of relaxing
All white, everything
A table fit for royalty

Why is Akademie Street the best in the world?

Akademie Street has eight themed suites, five private buildings and four heated pools. Judges praised the hotel’s characterful buildings, stunning Orangerie, and carefully curated furniture and collectibles from world famous designers.

They commended the hotel’s dedication to detail in every aspect; from the sumptuous breakfast made using ingredients sourced from local food artisans to the evening piano recitals, during cocktail and wine hour.

Above all, the award looks for hotels whose staff deliver emotional warmth to guests without​ ​compromising​ ​a​ ​world-class​ ​level​ ​of​ ​service.​ ​Akademie​ ​Street​ ​Boutique​ ​Hotel​ ​perfected​ ​this​ ​balance.

Boxing clever

Paul Kinney is the owner of the hotel. He was invited out to the UK to accept his award at Merchant Taylors’ Hall, London. After landing a knock-out blow to competitors, the hotelier will be mightily relieved he wasn’t on the end of one from the man giving him his prize.

None other than Wladimir Klitschko, the two time heavyweight champion of world boxing, presented the award. Thankfully, Kinney was only seeing stars due to the glitzy company he was keeping, and paid tribute to his colleagues in the industry for helping Akademie Street to this famous victory.

“I’m honoured to accept this award amongst a family of hotel owners who are committed to providing an extraordinary experience for their guests. ​On​ ​behalf​ ​of​ ​all​ ​our​ ​team​ ​in​ ​South​ ​Africa, we’re grateful to be here and​ ​​are inspired​ ​to​ ​be​ ​as different​ ​and​ ​unique,​ ​as you​ ​all​ ​are.”

What awards have Akademie Street won?

What is truly breathtaking about this place is how they keep winning judging panels over, time and time again. Just looking at their accolades will send hotel owners across the globe into fits of jealousy:

  • Top luxury hotel in the world
  • One of the top 25 hotels in the world for romance
  • Africa’s most romantic boutique hotel
  • The number one hotel in Franschhoek

They aren’t done there, though. Fresh from winning their “Best Boutique Hotel” award, the phones were ringing again at Akademie towers, to deliver some more great news. This time, they’ve won some domestic honours – because conquering the world gets boring, eventually.

They are now officially South Africa’s “Best Small Hotel”, according to TripAdvisor. We can think of worse reasons to look at more photos of this heavenly getaway…

Akademie Street, Franschhoek: Gallery

Their divine dining area has really captured the imagination of its guests
Now this is what we call a terrace…
Franschhoek Akademie Street
A bath with a view Franschhoek Akademie Street

Contact details

So, has this little guest house ins Franschhoek left you shook? If so, you’ll probably want to book. Here are the important numbers and addresses you need:

Tel: +27 (0) 82 517 0405
Email: info@aka.co.za
Website: www.aka.co.za
Address: 5 Akademie St, Franschhoek, 7690

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