The suite life

The new year has brought a burst of verve to the venerable Grande Roche Hotel in the Paarl winelands, with a stylish revamp of the popular Terrace Suites.

Blending the rich heritage of the hotel with a contemporary winelands aesthetic, the refurbishment of the 18 Terrace Suites at Grande Roche Hotel has created a chic new destination that offers an elegant home-from-home in the winelands.

“In refreshing the Terrace Suites, we wanted to update the interiors without losing any of the charm of a country hotel,” explains local entrepreneur Theresa Britz, who owns Grande Roche Hotel with her husband Hansie. “The idea was to use the original elements where we could but bring in new textures and colour. We also wanted each space to be as versatile as possible, whether guests are relaxing with a book, working on their laptop or enjoying a quiet meal in the privacy of their suite.”

To help them achieve their vision for the reinvention the couple turned to acclaimed interior designer Misi Overturf, who was also involved in the make-over of Grande Roche’s sister-property, the Agter-Paarl wine estate Under Oaks. Overturf is also the creative energy behind memorable interior flips on the restaurant make-over programme ‘In Die Sop’, hosted by Bertus Basson.

“This refurbishment was a process of finding the synergy between respectfully handling the old buildings, working with that character and keeping the integrity of the space, while updating the interiors,” explains Overturf. “I have a great love for heritage design, so my approach is really to colour in between the lines. I love old things, and the stories behind them, and we found a nice synergy between both of those elements.”

Set amid manicured lawns, indigenous gardens and rows of trellised vineyards, the Terrace Suites each boast a spacious bedroom, contemporary bathroom and newly remodelled lounge area.

Throughout, the suites’ tiled floors have been replaced with luxuriant solid wood underfoot, while bespoke corner banquettes create a cosy nook for reading, dining or relaxing. Wall units handcrafted from solid ash wood are a golden thread tying the suites together, with remodelled bedroom cupboards creating a cohesive aesthetic through each suite.

“From the start, we intended to make the suites feel more homely, like a little cottage,” adds Overturf. “Each suite is dressed differently, working with the specific fynbos-inspired wallpapers and theme of the room. We then curated vintage art and paraphernalia to create a wonderfully cosy space where you can really feel at home.”

Supporting local design and craftsmen was also key in the reinvention. The overhead lamps that grace the cosy nook in each suite were sourced from a local lighting designer, while the ash wall units were completed by a Winelands joinery.

“It’s about creating character while working respectfully with what we have,” says Overturf. “There’s such a rich history at Grande Roche, and we want guests to feel like they are part of that heritage, but in a modern way.”

Grande Roche has also invested heavily in sustainable green energy, with the installation of an innovative solar array that provides shaded parking for guests and staff, while generating carbon-free electricity.

“Our alternative energy solution currently produces more than half of our normal electricity demand, with an extensive battery system providing substantial amounts of back-up power,” adds Bouwer. “Aside from reducing our dependence on the national grid, and ensuring a reliable power supply for our guests, we are thrilled to be able to lower our overall environmental impact.”

And 2024 will also see the estate become a hub for sustainability-minded road-trippers, with the installation of state-of-the-art vehicle charging stations allowing guests to recharge their vehicles using pure sunlight. The BMW-branded charging stations will offer universal connectors, catering for various models of electric vehicles.

www.granderoche.com