Residence William French

Not only being perfect hosts, the people driving this beautiful and charming place are simply great and William is a great cook to! Thanks for all this!

The residence is small with 5 bedrooms and sleeps 10 adults, no children. It is exquisitely decorated with great views, lots of comfy sitting areas and a stunning pool and patio. The meal that we were served was as it gets and easily as good as anything on offer in any of Cape Town's well known fine dining restaurants, only difference was that food was abundant. The meal was served in our private suite and began with a platter of oysters and a bottle of bubbly and followed by four delicious courses. The large open plan room was perfect for our romantic celebration with stereo, candelabra, silver service and an extra large bath tub. Breakfast was also really fantastic. The standout was the quality of the amazing team which William has put together who looked after and pampered our every whim. I would highly recommend this experience to groups and couples alike.

Staying at Hotel Residence William French felt like being welcomed into a friend’s beautiful home. A welcome dessert, personally baked by the staff, added a truly thoughtful and friendly touch that made us feel immediately at home. The elegant, thoughtful decor adds a sense of luxury while still feeling warm and personal. The ocean view from the room, along with chilling by the pool at sunset, was absolutely breathtaking and unforgettable. The three adorable little dogs brought an extra layer of charm, making the stay even more special. Everything was perfect—just be prepared for a slightly challenging steep driveway leading up to the property. It’s not a major issue by any means, but worth knowing if you’re arriving by car. If I ever come to South Africa again, I would return for sure—this place is truly special.

I felt like I walked in to the cover photo of Architectural Digest magazine. The home design was beautiful and the staff so welcoming. Then we looked out over the ocean. William French’s guesthouse is even nicer than I imagined it would be. Breakfast was a delight, too. We wished we could move in, or at least stay a few more nights!

Fantastic service, great rooms. We were made to feel welcome as soon as we arrived at the house. Most incredible views. Money well spent,we'll definitely be back

After reading all of the reviews on Residence William French, we were so excited to stay here and it's safe to say it absolutely did not disappoint... arguably the best experience I've ever had at a guesthouse. The guesthouse is set up on the hills above Boulders Beach, very nearby the penguin colony. The road up is steep and the driveway even steeper - However the views benefit from this! Breath taking views over false bay from the communal areas, with an infinity pool to suit. What makes this guesthouse special is the ethos around it - encouraging guests to integrate and spend time together. I understand this isn't for everyone but it was totally aligned to us and our values. Guests are encouraged to dine together of the evening and William puts together a bespoke menu each evening around seasonal produce and generally whatever his guests fancy to eat. Essentially you have your own private chef and dine with people from all over the world. William's food is extremely high quality and comes in abundance! I'd advise you arrive hungry... You will leave full. We stayed for three nights and had dinner on two of the three nights, we had only planned to have dinner here once but it was so good we re-booked for the following night and cancelled other reservations! Our room was spacious and comfortable, the double doors opened up to the pool area. Breakfast was much like dinner, served at the long dining table and eaten together with all the guests that stayed there. The table was covered in fresh crossaints, breads, fruit, yoghurt, granola, meats, cheeses and a variety of jams. If that wasn't enough the staff also offered eggs and bacon, cooked to order, your way! Overall the atmosphere and ethos of this place really is special. You need to be an open minded person who is prepared to mingle with other guests and share the same breakfast and dinner table but if that appeals to you - I couldn't reccommend this place highly enough.