Macaron Boutique Guest House

Recent Reviews: 292

• User:Burywood

  Trip type: Couples

  A gem in the middle of Franschhoek

  27 May 2026

  We booked this a place to acclimatise upon arrival in South Africa and really didn’t expect somewhere so special and welcoming. The hotel manager gave us a personal tour of the accommodation and showed us our stunning room. The décor is homely and relaxing and we felt totally relaxed in no time. What was especially pleasant were the little touches like an ice cream given to guests by the pool in the late afternoon and a mimosa at breakfast. Highly recommended and we will definitely be back! Janet Roets, General Manager at Macaron Boutique Guest House, responded to this review Thank you so much. It was such a pleasure having you stay with us and we look forward to seeing you again.

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• User:BennettTours

  Trip type: Friends getaway

  Disappointing return stay – inconsistent rooms, declining standards, poor management and bad value for rate charged.

  14 Apr 2026

  We recently stayed at Macaron Boutique Guest House and unfortunately had a disappointing experience.On arrival, despite this being a return visit, there was no acknowledgment of us as returning guests, which set the tone for the stay.After the first night we moved rooms, and due to availability constraints within what is a small property, we were required to move again during the stay. Across these rooms, we encountered a consistent pattern of issues: • Room 1: bed size was not standard, making it uncomfortable to sleep • Room 9: very small bathroom and below expected standard • Room 2: significant light intrusion at night and noise from a nearby water feature, along with a noticeable musty/damp smell • Room 3: visible mould and general deterioration in the bathroomWhile some of the room movement was due to availability, the quality issues across rooms were consistent and not resolved. We also incurred upgrade charges during this process in order to move to more suitable rooms.More broadly, the property appears to be showing its age. Fixtures and finishes feel dated (including older non-smart televisions), the garden was not well maintained, and the pool did not appear clean. As returning guests, we also noted a deterioration in the overall condition and maintenance of the property compared to our previous stay. Overall, it does not reflect a premium boutique standard at the price point.A key issue throughout was the handling of matters by management. After raising concerns about the rooms, the manager became noticeably disengaged, with minimal interaction thereafter and no proactive follow-up with either myself or other members of our party.When it came to room changes, the assistant manager handled the process but the approach was confusing and heavily focused on pricing and policy rather than resolving the issues. With only nine rooms but multiple room categories and rates, there was little clarity in how upgrade charges were being applied.On cancellation, I requested to cancel a second booking following the issues experienced. This was refused outright on policy grounds. It was only after I insisted that Booking.com be contacted that the correct position (a 50% refund) was applied, which required over an hour to resolve.During one evening at approximately 6:30pm, we were using the outdoor terrace area with drinks and music at a reasonable level, having first checked with staff that this was acceptable. We also reduced the volume when requested. At the time, there were no other visible guests in the immediate area, and the setting did not suggest any disturbance.Despite this, we were approached by the owner and told this was not permitted, with reference to other guests. No such restriction had been communicated in advance, and the interaction was handled in a directive manner without seeking context or feedback.At check-out, I requested that the assistant manager arrange a follow-up call with both the manager and owner. This was not arranged, and there was no follow-up.Having moved to alternative accommodation (Chapter House Boutique Hotel, which I would highly recommend), I returned to the property the following day and, by chance, found the owner on site. After waiting, I was able to have a discussion with her.It was clear from that meeting that there was little intention to acknowledge or address the issues raised. The overall approach was formal and policy-driven rather than guest-focused. As I noted during the discussion, culture and leadership set the tone for service standards, and in this case the approach felt inconsistent with the more guest-focused hospitality experienced elsewhere during our time in South Africa.It was also evident that the property is not locally managed, and the service approach did not reflect the standard typically associated with South African hospitality.The closing remark — suggesting I should not spend time pursuing the matter and instead enjoy my new accommodation — reflected the tone of the interaction.To balance this, the breakfast and housekeeping staff were excellent — friendly, welcoming and professional — which stood in contrast to the management experience.After our stay, I reviewed other guest feedback and noted similar issues being raised, along with defensive responses from management, which aligns with our experience.In terms of value, the pricing did not align with the standard of accommodation. We were charged approximately €240 / R4,650 per night for a small standard room, which did not meet expectations in terms of size or quality. By comparison, we moved to Chapter House Boutique Hotel at approximately €190 / R3,700 per night for a significantly larger and higher-quality room. This contrast highlights the lack of value offered.Overall, this property does not currently offer value in line with its pricing, and the management approach significantly detracts from the stay. Janet Roets, General Manager at Macaron Boutique Guest House, responded to this review We offer a quiet, relaxed environment for our guests to come and relax. Our wonderfully kept gardens, fountains and pool areas are enjoyed by many of our returning guests. Our central location is an added bonus for our guests who love to walk to restaurant and stroll down the main road, stopping at all the shops, as well as the multitude of amazing restaurants on offer. We are also just a stroll away from the Winetram, another activity our guests love and enjoy. Our beautiful old historic Victorian building just adds to the charm of our amazing Macaron Guesthouse. So much so that our guests keep returning, year after year.

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• User:dreasydali

  Trip type:

  friendly welcome and relaxed stay

  20 Mar 2026

  perfectly situated in centre of town but very quiet and relaxing. Lovely staff and beautiful gardens to help you chill out and breathe

• User:mrsking001

  Trip type:

  Wonderful stay in Franschoek

  13 Mar 2026

  This place was beautiful, can’t recommend highly enough.Perfect location in Franschoek, staff were outstanding, room was great and breakfast was delicious.

• User:mbhaslemere

  Trip type:

  Wonderful guest house short walk of everything

  13 Mar 2026

  We loved our stay at the Macaron. It has real authentic charm, delightful staff, a peaceful little oasis of a garden to sit in yet only a moments walk off the High St.