By Dennis Payne, ed.
Leeu Collection’s hospitality portfolio currently comprises three five-star boutique properties in South Africa. In addition to Leeu Estates, there is Leeu House, an exclusive 12-room hotel in the heart of Franschhoek village, which opened in December 2015, and Le Quartier Français, a romantic 21-room hotel also located in the village, where award-winning executive chef Margot Janse is at the helm of the internationally acclaimed restaurant The Tasting Room.
Complementing Leeu Collection on the main street of Franschhoek is Tuk Tuk, a craft beer microbrewery in collaboration with The Cape Brewing Company, and an exotic new culinary hub (opening later this year) which will be home to Marigold, the village’s first Indian restaurant.
The breathtakingly beautiful Franschhoek Valley is renowned as one of the world’s great wine and food destinations. Settled by French Huguenots in 1688, it has retained its Gallic charm and character. At the heart of the valley is the romantic village of Franschhoek, with its award-winning restaurants, art galleries and boutiques, as well as numerous other attractions. The village lies just under an hour’s drive from Cape Town and its International Airport.
The first addition to the Leeu Collection portfolio outside South Africa is Linthwaite House, a 30-room country retreat overlooking Lake Windermere in England’s scenic Lake District.
Leeu is the Afrikaans word for lion, as is Singh in Sanskrit.