theLAB Franschhoek

South Africa , W. Cape-Cape Town-Garden Route
Franschhoek, Nerina Street, 15
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50 reviews shown

10/10

Exceptional

03 Nov 2025

Michael

Location, staff, breakfast, comfort, parking, cleanliness - all excellent. Would definitely recommend The Lab for a few nights in Franschoek village.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

01 Jun 2025

Thiren

Great service ce and hosting by Asedi! We'll definitely be back.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

10 Feb 2025

Mary Jo

A perfect spot to come back to after spending the day at the wineries. The staff were fabulous and we enjoyed having a pool. Highly recommend!

Leisure

6/10

Pleasant

10 Feb 2025

Michael

Most stupidly designed bedroom - dont stay

The issue is with the room. It’s large - but effectively a huge bathroom with a bed in the middle - nothing separated

Come in and there’s a bath on the left… then the bed then a small glass screen sticking out no more than 3/4 of the length of the bed and not up to the ceiling with a toilet on the other side. Then a basin then the shower. There is no seating (apart from a low stool opposite the toilet bizarrely) no desk no table. A toilet offering no privacy right next to the bed - nice for the partner remaining in bed whilst it’s in use. The front of the room is all glass lwith a walk way in front. Whilst the glsss is frosted it has clear glass edging and stripes allowing passers by to look in. There is a privacy blind which you can lower electronically but then you can’t access the door. The lighting is also weird. No switches just a remote - not ideal when there are two of you. Toilet area lights up when you walk in this lighting the whole room in the night. Absolute mental design and I would just say the owners should stay there a few nights. Shame as the other facilities and staff were lovely but anyone who thinks that room
Is an appropriate design for a hotel needs to be in another business

Partner

8/10

Excellent

27 Jan 2025

Patrick

Liked pool area lounge area, didn’t like” no chairs or desk table in room “ toilet and shower set up ridiculous.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

31 Dec 2024

Lynne

Property very nice and within walking distance of the main shopping street. Host incredibly helpful and attentive.

Leisure Friends

10/10

Exceptional

15 Oct 2024

Mark

TheLab is about a 15 minute walk into the centre of town & is well located. We really enjoyed our stay. Food & service was all very good. Staff very welcoming and attentive

Leisure Family

8/10

Excellent

04 Aug 2024

Brian

Clean and well situated

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

07 May 2024

Richard

comfortable stay away from the buzz

Lovely people, comfortable, outside hottub was fab, breakfasts made to order, really large bathroom. The only thing was the tech which doesn't work and needs to be ditched. It's a gimmick which doesn't add to the experience- not pleasant having music in the room going on in the middle of the night having had no explanation of what to do to stop it. All in all though very much to be recommended.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

22 Mar 2024

Gary

Location, amenities, decor and staff all absolutely perfect. Beautiful bathroom, fantastic breakfast and a wonderful wine cellar. Couldn’t have loved it more.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

19 Mar 2024

Adam

First Class !!

Amazing place with fabulous friendly staff and rooms and a great breakfast.

Friends_and_family Friends

10/10

Exceptional

03 Mar 2024

CHRISTINE

We really enjoyed our stay at TheLAB. Gerard and the team were fantastic, they went over and beyond to make our stay special. We forgot a bag and they went the extra mile to help us retrieve it. And, they helped us with dinner reservations at the last minute (we had no clue they went like hot cakes!). The whole team were lovely and everyone was so smiley. Looking forward to going back! Thanks again!

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

05 Jan 2024

Annina

Beautiful, quiet hotel

We've had a great stay here- all the staff are so friendly and helpful, the property is beautifully furnished and decorated, and having a pool to use (especially in summer) was the cherry on the cake. It's also wirhin walking distance to the town center. Would highly recommend staying at the LAB.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

04 Jan 2024

Gary

Loved the property, the concept, the shower and the service. Loved Franschoek in general and would definitely come back again

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

01 Mar 2023

Mark

Fantastic Hotel

Fantastic hotel with a very friendly staff and an amazing breakfast.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

19 Feb 2023

Sheliza

We loved staying at the LabFranschoek. The staff especially Gerald and Jodi were very helpful. The breakfast was wonderful and cooked to order. The communal areas were lovely as well. The guest rooms were tech savvy with touch shower, automated blinds and more.

Close walk and closer drive to the Main Street in Franschhoek. We would return again.

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

18 May 2022

Great stay, staff were friendly. Highlights include a spacious room with bath, honesty wine bar and drinks service, and the jacuzzi.

Leisure Friends

10/10

Exceptional

15 May 2022

Stephen

Ftanschhoek Literary Festival weekend

We really enjoyed our stay at theLAB. Gerald, Candice and the team were incredibly hospitable and the accommodation and facilities are top notch. We'll definitely be back. Thank you

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

28 Nov 2021

Patrick

Great location and friendly staff

Leisure Partner

8/10

Excellent

07 Aug 2021

Verified traveler

Great fun with all the tech. Not all the tech worked all the time

Leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

03 Aug 2021

Jenna-Lee

Amazing stay

It was honestly so lovely!

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

01 Aug 2021

Robert

The Lab is awesome.

Great stay at the lab. Fantastic place with great service. Freindly staff and very well appointed accommodation. We will definitely return soon for another stay. Highly recommend.

Partner

4/10

Poor

14 Apr 2021

Charlene

Unhappy stayer at The Lab

Firstly I booked at The Lab not a room opposite the lab, I have a 6 year old daughter which loved the jacuzzi and had to upgrade to a room inside the house. I was put in Room1, and was happy.... I had to pay an extra R900 which I didn't budget for cause that was part of my spending money. I gentleman never informed me that the premises has a sauna either a theatre... I mean I have a 6 year old with me, who loves movies... The couple on the other room paid R599 the 2nd night and got a room opposite the road but was offer to stay in there room which was close to the pool because of their honeymoon.... Come on am a single parent...whats good for one guest is good for the others

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

15 Mar 2020

Catherine

Great service. Wish I stayed for longer to enjoy all the facilities- will definitely be back

Self

4/10

Poor

03 Feb 2020

Verified traveler

The hotel tries to be modern and cutting edge. Unfortunately a lot of the very basics don't even work (e.g. no hot water at times, no electricity at times, switches that don't work, Alexa that doesn't work, TV that takes ages to work). Perhaps walk before you can fly.

Leisure Partner

6/10

Pleasant

01 Feb 2020

Desk staff did not make me feel welcome, shower heads simply waste water and flood the room and most of the high tech capabilities in my room did not work.

Leisure Friends

8/10

Excellent

24 Dec 2019

Charlie

Good new idea

Cool new concept which can take a little while to get use to.
Nice pool and jacuzzi and great base as only 5 mins from town.

Partner

8/10

Excellent

29 Nov 2019

Verified traveler

Sweet but techy Hotel. Good service. Close to town. Has scooters you can ride about on. Can sunbathe outside

Leisure Family

8/10

Excellent

08 Aug 2019

Yvette

Experience was wonderful

The experience was wonderful. The service was warm and accommodating.
There are tiny maintenance issues that could easily be fixed which when left unattended detracts from the overall experience. The shower was not clean at all. The water was also not very hot.

Family

10/10

Exceptional

04 Aug 2019

Verified traveler

This is a unique property as it is all linked up to Amazon via Echo. We visited during low season so were upgraded without extra cost to a room that had a huge bed and bath tub. We stayed here in order to visit the Franschhoek Wine Tram so the big breakfast in the morning was appreciated. This hotel has a great staff team who could not have been more helpful.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

04 Aug 2019

Deanne

Pleasant

Loved it!

Family

8/10

Excellent

17 Jun 2019

Sabrina

Hidden gem

This hotel is a hidden gem. Located in a neighborhood (vs. a busy main street), it is unpretentious and eco-friendly. It relies on solar power during the day and is serious about its footprint on the environment but not having plastic water bottles (glass are available) in all the rooms. There is a spa, hot tub and outside area to enjoy a peaceful garden after touring the wineries. The high tech makes this place super friendly for those who are already used to this (\"Echo\" is their version of Alexa) or for those who want to learn. The breakfast is delightful and the wine bar selection is outstanding. A home away from home--the manager is excellent--friendly, techy, sommelier, knowledgeable. Thank-you for a wonderful stay in Franschhoek valley!

Friends

8/10

Excellent

29 Mar 2019

Verified traveler

Problem one night of stay due to internet down impacts greatly at automated hotel room

Leisure Partner

8/10

Excellent

28 Jan 2019

Helen

Value for money boutique hotel

TheLab is about a 10 minute walk from the centre of Franschoek with easy parking. It’s a modern comfortable boutique style hotel with spacious rooms and attentive service. The frustration is their choice to use “Alexa” in the rooms which we found gimmicky and not very reliable.

Partner

8/10

Excellent

15 Jan 2019

Sue

Comfortable Boutique B&B in Franschroek

We enjoyed our stay at the LAB Lifestyle in Franschroek.However ,we struggled with the Alexa controlled room,when the blinds went up instead of the shower going on,because the Wi-fi signal was intermittent on occasion.Speaking to other guests,we were not alone in experiencing this.Also our bedroom,although large was very miminalist as regards furniture and we found there was little room to store toiletries etc.The staff were very helpful and the breakfast was good and the coffee was great.As I have Mobility issues,Iwe had chosen this B&B as it was described as being located a 10 minute walk to the Main Street, ,but I found that it was further away than I had thought to walk to the maiinstreet in Franschroek, and so we drove to eat in the evening.Outside pool and deck was great and their beer on tap was a great idea.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

17 Dec 2018

Mark

Great stay

Great stay , friendly helpful staff , tech worked well , good fun and a relaxing stay .

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

19 Nov 2018

Verified traveler

A day in the wine country

A really lovely place to stay with great staff. We had a wonderful time and the owner gave us some excellent tips as we travelled further on the next day too! Would recommend

Partner

8/10

Excellent

14 Nov 2018

Verified traveler

A couple of days at the Lab

This is a boutique hotel on a hill 4 blocks up from the main street in Franschhoek, where there are restaurants, shops & the wine tram booking office. Free water, tea & coffee all day and beer on tap payable. Also snack items in the room to buy. Electric scooters & bicycles for rent. Meals available for lunch & dinner as well as free breakfast. Food is good, the staff are excellent. Room 1 needs a mirror near the electric socket in the bedroom to see what you are doing when you dry your hair. Only Netflix on the tv in the room, but another tv available in the hotel sitting area. Small pool & flies are a problem. Futuristic controls for lights, blinds & tv - Alexa doesn’t always respond. Eco controls music. Coffee dispensed using Alexa as well. We are in our 60’s so we found it too far out walking back up hill in the dark from the main street/ getting to the wine tram/ restaurants. Cyclists would probably enjoy it as they can go up the mountain & young people- especially honeymooners. Mixed nationalities stay here. No radiators in the room & water in the bathroom tends to go everywhere as it’s a wet room as well as having a bath. The toilet in Room 1 is right up against the washbasin shelf, which we found really awkward & it could have been turned around to fit in properly. Hot tub as well as pool, but pool feels cold. Obscured windows not appealing. Free parking outside

Partner

8/10

Excellent

06 Nov 2018

Bruce

Hi tech and quirky

Hi tech place with an Alexa in the room which controlled most things and probably had us out of our comfort zone a little. Very friendly and helpful staff with great cooked breakfast. About a 15 minute walk to the centre which is fine during the day but a taxi is recommended when heading back at night.

Partner

8/10

Excellent

10 Oct 2018

Chris

Absolutely charming staff who were very helpful.
The hotel which has been opened for about 10 months is very tasteful and has very good facilities.
Part of the essence of the hotel is reliance on technology and this is the only area where it falls down slightly. Relying on 'Alexa' does not quite work - when she does not play music or turn the a/c up or down.

10/10

Exceptional

17 Sep 2018

Verified traveler

Really enjoyed our 2-night stay at LAB LIFESTYLE. The use of technology in rooms was very unique and fun. Entire property feels very new and clean. Location is great it is walking distance to multiple wineries as well as downtown Franschhoek and the wine tram.

The staff was very friendly and accommodating providing recommendations on everything from restaurants, wineries, transportation, etc.

One site wine selection was great and very reasonably priced. Breakfast in the morning was very simple but good.

8/10

Excellent

22 Jan 2026

Ilio

Hotellet låg en bit från centrum. Med Ubertaxi gjorde det att problemet med avståndet togs bort. Personalen var supertrevlig. Belysningen på rummet var lite för hightech. Personalen kunde inte hantera detta.

Friends_and_family Friends

8/10

Excellent

08 Feb 2025

Carolin

Das Personal war super freundlich. Insgesamt haben wir uns wohl gefühlt. Es gibt jedoch in keinem der zimmer ein bad/Klo das man abschließen kann, heißt es gibt keine Privatsphäre in den Zimmern.
Die Innenstadt ist zu Fuß in 10 Minuten zu erreichen, wir haben uns auch sicher gefühlt, diese zu laufen.
Pool area ist super schön mit dem Ausblick auf die Berge und Palmen

Leisure

8/10

Excellent

03 Feb 2025

Vanessa

Der Außenbereich hat uns super gefallen. Die Zimmer waren innen teilweise zum Bad offen oder nur mit Glastür abgegrenzt, dadurch leider wenig Privatsphäre im Bad.
Zum Frühstück gab es leider jeden Tag nur Joghurt mit etwas Granola und Früchten und eine Auswahl an Eiern (Spiegeleier, Rührei, Omlette). Leider sonst nichts, was uns etwas enttäuscht hat.
Die Zimmer waren jedoch sauber und gemütlich.

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

31 Jan 2025

Dario

Eine hervorragende Unterkunft , und sehr gutes Personal

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

16 Feb 2024

Georgios

A nice and friendly place to stay, the wine bar has a variety of wines and the stuff is friendly. A place to feel like home. The restaurants are walking distance from here.

Leisure Partner

6/10

Pleasant

15 Mar 2020

Ola

Inget ordentligt badrum.
För mycket teknik som inte fungerade pga alla strömavbrott.
Mycket störande ljud från tung trafik.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

13 Mar 2020

Britt

Vraiment magnifique !
We lived it and regret not to stay longer !
Thank you to the Rocklands B and B

Friends_and_family Friends

6/10

Pleasant

12 Mar 2020

Verified traveler

Na ja, ich würde da nicht nochmals buchen. Ringhörig. Mussten Zimmer wechseln, weil unserZimmer wegen AC unter Wasser stand.
Sauberkeit ist so lala, hatten auf unserer Reise schon besseres erlebt.
Das WC ohne Türe ist nicht jederman‘s Sache, auch wenn man lange Beziehung führt.
Frühstück war gut, man muss aber zuerst herausfinden wie es funktioniert( man mir jemand der Kaffee, oder muss ich selber den Kaffee rauslassen, ist halt verwirrend)

Leisure

10/10

Exceptional

30 Dec 2019

Verified traveler

Herzliche Begrüßung, hervorragende Sauberkeit und absolut stylisches Hotel. Absolut Empfehlenswert!!!!

Leisure Partner