Residence William French

After reading all of the reviews on Residence William French, we were so excited to stay here and it's safe to say it absolutely did not disappoint... arguably the best experience I've ever had at a guesthouse. The guesthouse is set up on the hills above Boulders Beach, very nearby the penguin colony. The road up is steep and the driveway even steeper - However the views benefit from this! Breath taking views over false bay from the communal areas, with an infinity pool to suit. What makes this guesthouse special is the ethos around it - encouraging guests to integrate and spend time together. I understand this isn't for everyone but it was totally aligned to us and our values. Guests are encouraged to dine together of the evening and William puts together a bespoke menu each evening around seasonal produce and generally whatever his guests fancy to eat. Essentially you have your own private chef and dine with people from all over the world. William's food is extremely high quality and comes in abundance! I'd advise you arrive hungry... You will leave full. We stayed for three nights and had dinner on two of the three nights, we had only planned to have dinner here once but it was so good we re-booked for the following night and cancelled other reservations! Our room was spacious and comfortable, the double doors opened up to the pool area. Breakfast was much like dinner, served at the long dining table and eaten together with all the guests that stayed there. The table was covered in fresh crossaints, breads, fruit, yoghurt, granola, meats, cheeses and a variety of jams. If that wasn't enough the staff also offered eggs and bacon, cooked to order, your way! Overall the atmosphere and ethos of this place really is special. You need to be an open minded person who is prepared to mingle with other guests and share the same breakfast and dinner table but if that appeals to you - I couldn't reccommend this place highly enough.

We loved our stay so much we immediately checked for the next weekend - fully booked! ;) Sensational sea views, service and delicious freshly prepared dinner. So many small thoughtful touches that made for an unforgettable stay. We will be back!!

The residence is absolutely beautiful, the views are to die for really - a steal for the price point. We spent Christmas at the residence and were treated to absolutely amazing food the entire time. William is an absolutely amazing chef - you have to have a minimum 2 dinners with him because his food is mind blowing. He treats his staff like family which was also beautiful to witness. The family dining setup had us make friends from Saudi and Germany - we even went site seeing together. We definitely will be going back for another stay, we felt like we were at home but only very five star, and just the amazing service and food.

Can't fault this gorgeous little guest house. I absolutely loved my stay here, and I work in the business of luxury travel to Africa. This is a hidden gem, and the perfect spot for freedivers, hikers, penguin fans, or foodies who enjoy peace and quiet and a phenomenal ocean view. I can't recommend it more highly and I have stayed in some of the best hotels in Africa. William, Kate, their team, and their little doggies have created a warm welcoming home that also delivers top notch service, comfort and cuisine. I stayed in room Elise and it was perfect.

We had a wonderfull stay at William French. A beautifull home away from home. William and the girls are taking care of you as if you were their family. The best breakfast we had during our trip in South Africa.

A terrific base for our two days in Simon's Town. Dinner was delicious, the room well-appointed, and the staff friendly. Definitely recommend!