Grant and I recently spent two wonderful nights at the luxurious Grande Roche Hotel in Paarl. The intimate boutique hotel is located at the base of the famous Paarl Rock, surrounded by vineyards and beautiful gardens.
Grande Roche Hotel
The Grande Roche Hotel, originally a celebrated historical monument, is now home to a luxury 5-star hotel boasting a spa, two pools, conference facilities and a restaurant. Thus making it ideal for leisure and business travellers alike and the perfect base from which to explore the Winelands, as well as the greater Cape Town area.
Guest accommodation consists of individually named luxury suites set among the most stunning, landscaped gardens. Terrace Suites are all built in the historic Cape Dutch style, with thatched roofs, shutters and private outdoor terraces. The Heritage Suites consist of two floors – the ground floor boasts a spacious lounge, which can accommodate extra beds for families. Upstairs the large bedroom can be set up in a twin or king bed configuration and offers views across the gardens.
Legacy Rooms are situated in the historic estate’s charmingly restored coach and carriage houses. They contain a spacious lounge/bedroom, each with a semi-private garden terrace with views of the majestic Drakenstein mountains.
The Garden Suite, originally a farm stable, combines luxury and rustic charm and offers guests total privacy. It has a lounge, a bedroom with a king-sized bed, and the bathroom has a double shower and spa bath. There is also a private sun terrace and a separate enclosed patio.
Dining at Grande Roche Hotel
During our stay at Grande Roche, we were treated to not one but two fantastic dining experiences. The first was their Wine & Dine Evening, and the second was their new Sharing Plates experience.
Wine & Dine Evenings
Grant and I attended the De Grendel wine-paired dinner. The evening included a welcome drink with canapés and a four-course, wine-paired meal.
Grande Roche Head Chef Kevin Grobler wowed us with sumptuous flavours perfectly paired with a selection of fantastic De Grendel wines.
On The Menu:
First course – Gnocchi filled with lemon and black pepper ricotta, lemon and black pepper whey emulsion, black pepper lace tuille and sage gremolata. Paired with 2022 Viognier.
Second course – Chili and paprika roasted pork loin, red pepper puree, potatoes confit in smoked pork fat, marinated cannellini beans, pork foam. Paired with the 2021 Op Die Berg Pinot Noir.
Third course – Grilled lamb loin, braised lamb belly, hoisin roasted aubergine, Burnt aubergine puree, pickled onions, mustard seeds, almonds. Paired with 2015 Sir David Graaff, first Baronet of Cape Town.
Fourth course – Orange genoise, orange blossom meringue, orange fruit leather, Compressed pineapple, toasted coconut. Paired with 2022 Sauvignon Blanc Noble Late Harvest.
Cost: R750 pp (excluding drinks, mineral water and tip)
If you love good food and wine, I highly recommend making a booking for one of the upcoming Food and Wine Pairings at Grande Roche – see dates and details below the post.
Sharing Plates Experience
On our second evening, we enjoyed the new Sharing Plates menu. The latest offering, by Chef Kevin Grobler, is available for both lunch and dinner. Dishes feature delicious seasonal flavours, with produce sourced from nearby farms.
On The Menu:
The sharing Sharing Plates Dishes we enjoyed included a delicious Pea and Mint Ricotta Agnolotti, with lemon and caper nage and crispy basil, Calamari Steak with sticky rice and gochujang sauce, Confit Duck Leg with spring onion pancake and fruit BBQ sauce. One of our favourite dishes for the evening was the Cape Malay Mussels cooked in curried apricots served with garlic naan. To end the feasting, choose from a selection of delicious desserts, including Lemon Éclairs and Rum Baba, with mascarpone chantilly cream and candied macadamias.
If you are looking for a dining experience to tantalise your taste buds, then this is definitely the one for you! Offerings on the sharing plates menu will change on a regular basis.
Cost: Diners can opt for 3 courses, priced at R550 per person or 4 courses, at R650 per person.
Grande Roche Pearl of Paarl Packages
Grande Roche is currently offering fantastic package deals; both are available from 15 March 2023 until 30 September 2023 and are subject to availability.
Pearl of Paarl Package #1
· One night’s accommodation for two guests sharing and accommodated in a Terrace Suite (Full English Breakfast included).
· Sunset canapés and a signature cocktail of the day.
· A four-course sharing plate dinner experience at The Grande Roche Restaurant.
· A bottle of Under Oaks estate wine to be enjoyed with dinner.
Priced at R5 450.00, based on 2 persons sharing
Pearl of Paarl Package #2
· One night’s accommodation for two guests sharing and accommodated in a Terrace Suite (Full English Breakfast included).
· Sunset canapés and a signature cocktail of the day.
· A 4-course sharing plate dinner experience at The Grande Roche Restaurant.
· A bottle of selected Under Oaks estate wine to be enjoyed with dinner.
· A 60-minute couples’ massage.
Priced at R6 950.00, based on two persons sharing.
Both packages may be extended upon request, with additional dates priced at R3 500 per room per night. This includes the accommodation for two persons sharing and daily Full English Breakfast.
Contact Details & Location
For general enquiries or bookings, call +27 (0)21 863 5100 or email [email protected]. For restaurant bookings, email [email protected]. Address: 1 Plantasie St, Paarl, 7646, South Africa.
Food & Wine Evenings Dates & Details:
- 19/05/2023 – Ridgeback
- 09/06/2023 – Under Oaks
- 18/08/2023 – Boschendal
- 08/09/2023 – KWV (Mentors Range)
- 20/10/2023 – Leeuwenkuil
- 10/11/2023 – Backsberg
In Closing
The staff at Grande Roche were fabulous and the food excellent, which made for a most memorable and magical stay!
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Disclosure
Please note that meals, drinks, and accommodation were enjoyed on a complimentary basis as guests of the Grande Roche Hotel. Unless otherwise stated, all opinions, content, and images are the property of Inspired Living or Fiona Rossiter. To see more, read the full PR & Disclosure Policy below.
It’s worth a try!! Would love to visit it in winters the view and everything is so good.