Last Updated on March 13, 2026 by Hannah Stephenson
theLAB Franschhoek is a small boutique hotel in South Africa’s most famous wine region. It’s located just outside of the centre of Franschhoek and it blends modern design with warm service and beautiful views. I recently stayed here and totally fell in love, so now I’m here to help you decide whether or not theLAB could be the perfect base for your Franschhoek adventure.
theLAB Franschhoek Quick Overview
Location: A few blocks from the town centre
Style: Modern boutique
Best for: Couples, families, and friends
Rooms: Contemporary suites and villas
Facilities: Pool, breakfast, hot tub, big bathtubs, trust bar, free parking
Price: From R1,600 per night
- Where is theLAB Franschhoek?
- What Are the Rooms Like at theLAB Franschhoek?
- What is the Property Like?
- How is the Breakfast at theLAB Franschhoek?
- What is the Service Like at theLAB Franschhoek?
- Pros and Cons of Staying at theLAB Franschhoek
- Who Should Stay at theLAB Franschhoek?
- Final Thoughts
- FAQ: theLAB Franschhoek
Where is theLAB Franschhoek?
theLAB Franschhoek is tucked down a quiet street just a few blocks from Huguenot Road, aka Franschhoek’s main strip. You can walk into town in about 10 minutes, or it takes just 2 minutes to drive. We chose to drive into town for dinner, but we were actually able to walk to the famous Haute Cabrière winery from theLAB in about 15 minutes.
I loved the location as it was super quiet and peaceful, yet we were close to everything. To my mind, that’s exactly what you want for a few days in the Winelands! (And if you need a great Franschhoek itinerary, I’ve got one ready for you here.)
What Are the Rooms Like at theLAB Franschhoek?
We absolutely loved our room at theLAB. It was modern and minimalist, with lots of natural light coming through the huge windows. Fortunately, there were also blackout blinds that we could draw at the click of a button when we wanted privacy to shower and change!
The bed was absolutely huge and it was oh-so-comfy. I slept like a baby here! Plus, the aircon was super powerful which is just what you need in Franschhoek – it gets very warm out in the Winelands.
The bathroom was glass-walled rather than separate, which looks great but does sometimes call for a little tact with your travel companion. There was also a huge standalone bathtub right behind the bed, which felt very luxurious and could be super romantic for couples.
Another nice touch was that the property uses codes, not keys. We really liked not having to worry about where we’d left the key or who was going to look after it! When we arrived, we got given the necessary codes on a card, which we just snapped a photo of, and then we were away.
What is the Property Like?
As mentioned, theLAB Franschhoek is a small and intimate property. The pool area is super pretty, with bougainvillea lining the fence and the mountains towering in the distance. There’s the pool itself, which is sunken into the decking, and then a hot tub which you can either cool off in or ask the staff to turn on the heat and the bubbles!
There’s an indoor dining area with a long table and a trust bar, where you can grab wine or soft drinks whenever you like, as long as you record them along with your room number. However, since we visited theLAB during the summer, we usually enjoyed our breakfast and coffee at the outdoor tables, right next to the pool.
One touch I really loved was that rather than giving us a set number of pool towels, there were always clean towels outside to grab! I really appreciated this because it meant we could jump in the pool whenever we felt like it without worrying about running out of towels or asking staff for more.
How is the Breakfast at theLAB Franschhoek?
For me, breakfast can really make or break a hotel stay! After all, it’s the most important meal of the day.
Luckily, theLAB really delivered on this front. As soon as we sat down, yogurt and granola bowls were placed in front of us, along with warm muffins and a big jug of fresh orange juice. Then, the staff would take our coffee and hot food orders. We were able to order eggs however we liked them, along with a variety of sides like spinach, bacon, mushrooms, and more – yum!
Breakfast at theLAB is served from 8 – 10 am, which is an ideal window. We would get up, eat plenty, and then head out for a wine tasting with nicely lined stomachs. Plus, having a big breakfast meant that a light platter at our chosen winery would be more than enough for lunch. (If you’re planning to do a lot of wine tasting in Franschhoek, check out my full guide to exploring the region!)
What is the Service Like at theLAB Franschhoek?
The service at theLAB truly could not have been better. The staff here made us feel so welcome! We arrived to find our bed decorated with rose petals spelling out “welcome” and there was a bottle of bubbly chilling in an ice bucket for us.
Dinah in particular was so friendly and came over to chat with us during breakfast. She also gave us some excellent insider tips on exploring Franschhoek and best of all, she introduced us to her dog, Ollie! He was a total sweetheart.
But honestly, every member of theLAB team we interacted with was so sweet and friendly. I love hotels that really make you feel at home, rather than just another faceless guest. We were definitely sad to say goodbye when it was time to check out!
Pros and Cons of Staying at theLAB Franschhoek
Pros
- Stylish boutique hotel
- Quiet setting
- Well-priced
- Beautiful mountain views
- Suites and villas available
- Lovely pool area
- Great breakfast
- Close to Franschhoek’s main street
- Short drive from famous wineries like La Motte, Le Lude, and Haute Cabriere
Cons
- Not ideal if you really want to be right on the main drag
- You’ll need a car (but to be honest, you need a car in Franschhoek anyway)
Who Should Stay at theLAB Franschhoek?
I think that theLAB is ideal for couples and families. In fact, most of our fellow guests during our stay fell into those categories. With that said, I went with a friend and we had such a great time! To be honest, I think that theLAB is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a scenic, relaxing, and reasonably priced stay in the Cape Winelands.
I’ll definitely be back, and I’m looking forward to checking out their sister property in Robertson. It looks gorgeous!
They’ve also got a neighbouring luxury backpackers property, for solo and budget travelers who still want to experience the Winelands in style. There are hardly any hostels in Franschhoek, so this is a real gem for those travelling alone or on a tighter budget.
Final Thoughts
I loved my stay at theLAB Franschhoek, and I would definitely return. I think it delivers excellent value for money and you really get the best of both worlds with the location. It’s easy to head to nearby wineries or pop into the main town for dinner, but you can also enjoy peace and quiet by the pool whenever you need a break from all of the wine. Bliss!
FAQ: theLAB Franschhoek
Where can I book my stay at theLAB Franschhoek?
You can book theLAB Franschhoek via their official website. You’ll usually get the best prices this way, too!
Is theLAB Franschhoek within walking distance of the town centre?
Yes, theLAB Franschhoek is located just a few blocks from Huguenot Road, which is the town’s main street. It took us about 10 minutes to walk into the centre or just 2 minutes to drive.
Does theLAB Franschhoek have a pool?
Yes, theLAB Franschhoek has a beautiful pool area with mountain views. It looks especially amazing at sunset! The water is a little chilly but there’s also a hot tub that guests can ask the staff to heat up.
Is theLAB Franschhoek good for couples?
Yes, theLAB Franschhoek is perfect for couples! With its stylish rooms, peaceful setting, and freestanding baths, it’s the ideal base for a romantic trip.
Is theLAB Franschhoek close to the wineries?
Yes. Many of Franschhoek’s best-loved wineries are just a short drive away, including Haute Cabrière, La Motte, La Bri, and Le Lude.
Thanks so much for reading this blog post! I love nothing more than exploring the Cape Winelands, so I’ve got a ton of resources to help you plan your trip to Franschhoek and beyond. Check out one of the following posts to get you started…