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South Africa: peek inside Grande Provence

If you’ve ever been to New Zealand’s multi award-winning Huka Lodge (or just seen all the magazine articles) you might be interested in owner Alex van Heeren’s fancy South African winery, lodge and restaurant, Grande Provence.

I was visiting South Africa, staying at Sun City Resort outside of Johannesburg (featured in the 2014 Adam Sandler/Drew Barrymore movie Blended). Then we flew to Zambia to stay at Royal Livingstone Hotel and visit the breathtaking Victoria Falls.

But I’m a big fan of Kiwi interior designer Virginia Fisher’s talent and touches, both here at Grande Provence and at Huka Lodge that I went a bit crazy taking photos to put in my dream home scrapbook (which I don’t actually have but my Pinterest Boards are the next best thing!)

Grande Provence
I LOVE this! Had to take a close up in the master bedroom

Fisher has also done the interiors of Huka Lodge and van Heeren’s private island in Fiji, Dolphin Island and has an amazing way of making you want to take everything home in your luggage.

Grande Provence is in the wine valley of Franschhoek, 45 minutes from Cape Town. If you’re in the area you should book in for at least lunch or a wander through the art gallery and wine tasting room – if not an exclusive stay in the Owners Cottage.

Here’s my favourite pics Of Grande Provence to tide you over until you get there:

Grande Provence
Grande Provence entry sets the bar
Grande Provence
Entrance to the Owners Cottage
Grande Provence
Lounging by the pool
Grande Provence
The sun porch between the lounge and pool area
Grande Provence
I love Virginia Fisher’s touches
Grande Provence
Snuggle in by the fire
Grande Provence
The Grande Provence master bedroom
Grande Provence
Upstairs guest bedroom with balcony overlooking pool and acres of grape vines
Grande Provence
Grande Provence cellar door, gallery and restaurant
Grande Provence
A whimsical outdoor sculpture to weave around
Grande Provence
There are loads of sculptures dotted around the garden
Grande Provence
We dined outdoors and I loved this tartare plate
Grande Provence
Followed by crispy pork belly. Mmmmmm!
Grande Provence
Overlooking the wine valley

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Hi, I'm Megan Singleton and I'm the word slinger of this travel blog as well as on radio in NZ every Sunday. Former Travel Editor at Yahoo NZ and current freelance writer for a few newspapers and mags from time to time, I set off on this travel writing journey 20 years ago and I've pretty much always got a suitcase half packed (or half un-packed!) I'd love you to join me on Facebook or Twitter and sign up for my newsletters if you want loads of travel tips, advice and deals!