Inside Spier Hotel’s New Luxury Villas

Spier Hotel unveils its luxury villas, marking the final chapter in the hotel’s transformation.

WORDS Gina Dionisio PHOTOS Supplied

Offering an immersive farm experience with breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains, Spier Hotel’s two new spacious luxury villas blend the best of both worlds – top-notch hospitality with the freedom of a private home.

The three-bedroom Garden and Riverside Villas were envisioned as sanctuaries for travellers who prefer the intimacy of a home to the polish of a suite. “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,” says Jacques Erasmus, who led the interiors.

Each villa has its own distinct character. The Garden Villa, with its earthy hues, offers the intimacy of a courtyard and a pergola-shaded outdoor lounge with a fireplace. The Riverside Villa, on the other hand, takes its cue from the river it overlooks with a palette of soft greens and natural textures. Upstairs, bedrooms pair deep, freestanding tubs with walk-in showers featuring patterned cabochon flooring, which Jacques notes is “a way of turning even the most utilitarian of spaces into art.”

Jacques’ interiors lean on a philosophy of ‘less is more’, but never sterile minimalism. Instead, they celebrate craftsmanship and the subtle imperfections of the handmade to add a sense of story to each space. From blanket stitching inspired by 300 years of Cape embroidery tradition to bed throws created using indigenous plants in a centuries-old steaming technique by artist Ingrid Bolton, the villas are rich with detail that is both artisanal and deeply local. “For guests, it will feel like you’re sleeping under the fabric of the garden,” says Jacques.

Art anchors these spaces just as it does the wider wine farm. Works curated in collaboration with the Spier Arts Trust, alongside heirloom pieces from the family’s private collection, create an aesthetic that is distinctly South African.

Each villa, designed by Paul Luck of Lightspace architecture studio, blurs the boundaries between indoors and out. On the ground floor, French doors open from lounges, dining rooms, and kitchens onto deep verandas, spilling into rewilded, fynbos-filled gardens, heated pools, fire pits, and mountain views beyond.

Every luxurious detail has been carefully considered – the villas even have their own dedicated service teams, including a private chef, to ensure experiences are tailored to each guest. “These are spaces that honour tradition while serving modern needs,” says Jacques. “Homes that feel both timeless and immediate.”

The villas mark the final chapter in the hotel’s transformation, which re-opened in March 2025 after a year-long restoration. The renewed hotel now includes 80 luxury rooms and suites, two new restaurants, three bars, an expansive heated pool, a nature-inspired kids’ club, and the Cape Herbal Spa. | spier.co.za

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