Review : Protea Hotel by Marriott Franschhoek | Marriott Bonvoy

Updated May 31, 2024
Fact checked by
Audrey Voisine
Audrey Voisine

Audrey Voisine

Audrey Voisine
Audrey, co-founder of Milesopedia, is a dedicated entrepreneur, avid traveler, and mother of two children. She shares valuable tips and recommendations for families and frequent travellers alike, helping everyone get the most from points and rewards programs. As Executive Vice President of Marketing and Communications, she is committed to guiding Milesopedia readers toward more accessible, practical, and memorable journeys.
All posts by Audrey Voisine
Note
8/10
Protea Hotel By Marriott Franschhoek Featured
Hotel Protea Hotel by Marriott Franschhoek
Country South Africa
City Franschhoek
Room Type Guest room
Loyalty Program Status Titanium
Points Per Night From 10,000 points
Tutorial
To the point The hotel Protea Hotel by Marriott Franschhoek is our Marriott Bonvoy favourite in South Africa. Discover our opinion in this review.

An affordable hotel with Marriott Bonvoy points

The hotel Protea Hotel by Marriott Franschhoek is category 2 (December 2019).

This means that it costs between 10,000 and 15,000 Marriott Bonvoy points to spend a night there.

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If you use your points to stay 5 nights at this hotel, you will only pay 4! This is the case in all Marriott Bonvoy hotels, read more here.

To earn Marriott Bonvoy points in Canada, the easiest way is via one of these 3 credit cards:

Each of them offers a nice welcome bonus and the possibility to earn Marriott Bonvoy points on each of your purchases (either directly for the card s Marriott Bonvoy, or by transfer for la Carte Cobaltᵐᶜ American Express).

You could have both Marriott Bonvoy cards and collect your points in your Marriott Bonvoy account!

If you are in a relationship (or 2 friends…), you could each apply for to these cards and then collect your points in one account!

You have the right totransfer up to 100,000 Marriott Bonvoy points from one account to another in a calendar year!

As for the card Cobaltᵐᶜ American Express, it allows you to transfer your Membership Rewards points to Marriott Bonvoy points at a rate of 1:1.2.

cobalt bonvoy transfert 1

With the 5 membership rewards points per dollar you earn on:

  • grocery stores
  • restaurants and bars
  • convenience stores
  • food delivery at home

it is like earning 6 Marriott Bonvoy points per dollar!

It’s the travel hacker’s favourite card in Canada.

Our opinion about Protea Hotel by Marriott Franschhoek

After 2 nights in the beautiful African Pride Arabella Hotel & Spa, Autograph Collection, we joined the South African wine region.

We might as well tell you right now: the hotel Protea Hotel by Marriott Franschhoek is our favourite hotel on all Marriott hotels visited in South Africa!

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Location

We chose to stay at the Protea Hotel by Marriott Franschhoek car:

  • it is a very good hotel located in the heart of the small town of Franschoek
  • it only cost us 10,000 points per night (category 2 in low season) while the public rate was over $150

Address: 33/34 Huguenot Road, Franschhoek, Cape Town 7690 South Africa

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Protea Hotel By Marriott Franschhoek - Lobby

Arrival

When we check in, the reception desk informs us of our advantages with the Titanium Elite status of Marriott Bonvoy: a welcome gift (a few snacks) and breakfast.

We had 2 rooms (identical) for my mother and our children, and for us. No upgrades though (the hotel was fully booked).

The lobby of this small hotel is just like the rest: charming!

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Protea Hotel By Marriott Franschhoek - Lobby
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Protea Hotel By Marriott Franschhoek - Lobby

In the reception, the Christmas decorations were in place (we were there from December 25 to 27).

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Protea Hotel By Marriott Franschhoek - Lobby
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Protea Hotel By Marriott Franschhoek - Lobby

Next to the reception, a small lounge with a library. There’s a computer with a printer.

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Protea Hotel By Marriott Franschhoek - Lobby
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Protea Hotel By Marriott Franschhoek - Lobby

The hotel has 2 floors. If your room is on the second floor, you will have to go up the stairs as there is no elevator.

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Protea Hotel By Marriott Franschhoek - Lobby

We won’t need to go upstairs, our rooms will be on the ground floor, next to the pool.

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Protea Hotel By Marriott Franschhoek - Terrasse
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Protea Hotel By Marriott Franschhoek - Terrasse
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Protea Hotel By Marriott Franschhoek - Terrasse

We’ll have rooms 4 and 5, strictly identical.

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Protea Hotel By Marriott Franschhoek - Chambre

The room

The room is a nice size.

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Protea Hotel By Marriott Franschhoek - Chambre

The colourful patterns seen in the lobby can be found there.

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Protea Hotel By Marriott Franschhoek - Chambre

Facing the bed, a television hangs on the wall. And there is a buffet with a refrigerator in it.

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Protea Hotel By Marriott Franschhoek - Chambre
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Protea Hotel By Marriott Franschhoek - Chambre
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Protea Hotel By Marriott Franschhoek - Chambre
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Protea Hotel By Marriott Franschhoek - Chambre

And a nice desk right next to the bed, with all the necessary electrical connections.

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Protea Hotel By Marriott Franschhoek - Chambre
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Protea Hotel By Marriott Franschhoek - Chambre

Finally, in the cupboard, we find a safe and the hair dryer.

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Protea Hotel By Marriott Franschhoek - Chambre

The bathroom is separated from the bedroom by a beautiful glass door.

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Protea Hotel By Marriott Franschhoek - Chambre

The bathroom

The bathroom has a bathtub and a separate shower, as well as hygiene products.

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Protea Hotel By Marriott Franschhoek - Salle de bains
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Protea Hotel By Marriott Franschhoek - Salle de bains

Hotel amenities

The pool

The hotel has a nice outdoor swimming pool (unheated).

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Protea Hotel By Marriott Franschhoek - Piscine
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Protea Hotel By Marriott Franschhoek - Piscine
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Protea Hotel By Marriott Franschhoek - Piscine

What is particularly enjoyable, especially with children, is the garden surrounding the swimming pool, with plenty of seating.

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Protea Hotel By Marriott Franschhoek - Piscine
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Protea Hotel By Marriott Franschhoek - Piscine

Breakfast

Breakfast is served in the hotel’s partner restaurant and in the form of a buffet.

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Protea Hotel By Marriott Franschhoek - Restaurant
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Protea Hotel By Marriott Franschhoek - Restaurant

Here are the different dishes:

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Protea Hotel By Marriott Franschhoek - Petit-déjeuner
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Protea Hotel By Marriott Franschhoek - Petit-déjeuner
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Protea Hotel By Marriott Franschhoek - Petit-déjeuner
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Protea Hotel By Marriott Franschhoek - Petit-déjeuner
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Protea Hotel By Marriott Franschhoek - Petit-déjeuner
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Protea Hotel By Marriott Franschhoek - Petit-déjeuner
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Protea Hotel By Marriott Franschhoek - Petit-déjeuner
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Protea Hotel By Marriott Franschhoek - Petit-déjeuner

The choice wasn’t huge. On the other hand, quality was present, especially in the throughndes proposed (the speciality of this restaurant, which looks like an English pub).

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Protea Hotel By Marriott Franschhoek - Petit-déjeuner
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Protea Hotel By Marriott Franschhoek - Petit-déjeuner

Bottom Line

The hotel Protea Hotel by Marriott Franschhoek is excellent and we wouldn’t be surprised to see it change category as the category 2 rate seems so ridiculous for the services!

Franschhoek is a very nice and rather posh little town. Lodging there can therefore be expensive: this hotel Protea Hotel by Marriott Franschhoek is a perfect choice, especially as it is right in the heart of the action. From this hotel, it is easy to walk along the main street to discover the many shops, cafés and restaurants, each one more beautiful than the next.

As you can see, we not only fell in love with the hotel, but also with the small town of Franschhoek (which we liked better than Stellenbosch).

To easily earn Marriott Bonvoy points, here’s the current offer on the Marriott BonvoyTM American ExpressMD Card:

Come to discuss that topic in our Facebook Group!
Jean-Maximilien Voisine

Jean-Maximilien Voisine

Jean-Maximilien Voisine
Jean-Maximilien, President and Founder of Milesopedia, is a recognized expert in rewards programs, credit cards, and travel in Canada and France. Approaching forty and a father of two, he has travelled to over 100 countries, half of them with his children and his wife, Audrey. Specializing in top loyalty programs like Aeroplan, American Express Membership Rewards, and Marriott Bonvoy, he guides travellers to maximize their benefits across North America and Europe.
All posts by Jean-Maximilien Voisine
Hotels
Region
South Africa, Franschhoek
4.0 Milesopedia Rating

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