Spier’s Exclusive Villas Redefine Country Luxury

On the banks of the Eerste River, where wild Cape gardens meet heritage architecture and sweeping mountain views, two new villas are reshaping the notion of a Winelands escape. Blending the freedom of a private home with the effortless service of world-class hospitality, these exclusive-use retreats set a new standard in understated, deeply personal luxury.

Space is the ultimate luxury here. Private heated pools and generous entertainment areas invite leisurely afternoons, while an array of on-site restaurants, wine bars, a spa, and the children’s Buzz Club are all within easy strolling distance.

The villas mark the final chapter in Spier Hotel’s transformation, completed after a year-long restoration and reopening earlier this year. The rejuvenated property now boasts 80 luxury rooms and suites, two new restaurants, three bars, an expansive heated pool, a nature-inspired kids’ club, and the Cape Herbal Spa.

The three-bedroom Garden and Riverside Villas were conceived as sanctuaries for those who prefer the intimacy of a home to the polish of a suite.

Jacques Erasmus, who led the interiors, explains: “These are homes designed for travellers who value complete privacy when exploring the world. A villa allows you to dictate every aspect of your stay.”

Every detail reinforces this philosophy. Dedicated service teams, including private chefs, ensure each stay is tailored—whether celebrating a milestone birthday, hosting a long-awaited family reunion, or working remotely in serene surroundings.

Architecture by Paul Luck of Lightspace blurs the lines between indoors and out. Ground floors flow seamlessly into fynbos-filled gardens, part of a rewilding initiative led by landscape designer Danie Steenkamp. French doors open from lounges, dining areas, and kitchens onto deep verandas, drawing the eye toward heated pools, fire pits, and mountain vistas.

Each villa possesses a distinct personality. Garden Villa, in earthy rust and caramel tones, offers the intimacy of a courtyard and a pergola-shaded outdoor lounge with a fireplace. Riverside Villa reflects the river beyond, with a palette of soft greens and natural textures evoking water, trees, and birdlife.

Upstairs, bedrooms pair deep, freestanding tubs with walk-in showers adorned with patterned cabochon flooring—what Jacques calls “a way of turning even the most utilitarian of spaces into art.”

Jacques’ interiors embrace a “less is more” philosophy, yet avoid sterile minimalism. Craftsmanship and the subtle imperfections of handmade objects shine throughout: lime-washed walls softened at the edges, hand-hammered metalwork, butter-washed linen curtains, antique finds, and tactile weaves lend each space a sense of story and texture.

Everywhere, the human hand is evident. From blanket stitching inspired by 300 years of Cape embroidery to bed throws made using indigenous plants through a centuries-old steaming technique by artist Ingrid Bolton, the villas are imbued with artisanal, local character. “For guests, it will feel like you’re sleeping under the fabric of the garden,” Jacques says.

Art anchors the interiors as it does the wider wine farm. Curated works from the Spier Arts Trust, alongside heirlooms from the family’s private collection, create an aesthetic that is unmistakably South African.

These villas represent more than an expansion of accommodation—they embody the evolution of Spier’s philosophy of hospitality: slow, considered, and intimately connected to nature. “These are spaces that honour tradition while serving modern needs,” Jacques notes. “Homes that feel both timeless and immediate.”

For travellers seeking more than a conventional hotel stay, Spier’s villas offer something rare: a retreat where privacy, craftsmanship, and nature exist in seamless harmony.