Protea Hotel by Marriott Franschhoek

The apartment's WiFi never worked, so neither did the TV, and we couldn't even reach reception. We were left on our own, which isn't acceptable for a branded hotel. The air conditioning was misleading too: there was just one small unit in the lounge and none in either bedroom. With temperatures above 90 degrees, we barely slept, and what should have been a relaxing stay became exhausting. We booked a two-bedroom apartment expecting to feel part of the hotel, but it was completely separate. It felt as if the main hotel amenities didn't apply to us, like we were off-site guests rather than valued residents. The manager, Nico, was the biggest disappointment. He became dismissive and defensive when we raised concerns, with no accountability, real apology, or good faith effort to fix things. Another manager, Marnitz, was kind, professional, and genuinely tried to help, though he couldn't resolve everything. There are good people here, but the advertising, facilities, and handling of complaints fell well short of what was promised. Two stars feels generous. It wasn't all terrible, but the stay was deeply disappointing, and this place has a long way to go to become the lovely hotel it could be.

The staff's friendliness and hospitality really made my weekend at Protea Hotel Franschhoek memorable. They went above and beyond. I also loved the pool area, with its landscaped setting, black and white loungers, and bright yellow umbrellas. The room was exceptionally comfortable, with quality linen and plush towels, and the location right in the middle of town made shops and excursions easy to reach on foot. Dinner at Hussar Grill was a highlight too. The gemsbok steak was cooked perfectly and absolutely to die for. I'd highly recommend the hotel when visiting Franschhoek.

The hotel made it easy to get around town, but the friendly, professional service was the best part. Patience at the front desk always greeted us with a smile and warm welcome, and made sure bee had everything needed for the stay. Thanks for a great trip.

Franschhoek's heart is a fabulous place to stay, and the setting is beautiful. The beds were very comfortable, the small pool was nice, and the staff were exceptional. There's also an excellent restaurant next door. I gave four stars because the WiFi kept dropping out and was terrible, and I wasn't sure the door had a secure lock.