Liz Biden began with a family holiday home in the African bush and built one of South Africa's most celebrated collections of luxury properties — each one a direct expression of her instinct for design, her warmth as a host, and her belief that a guest should feel they have come home rather than checked in.
La Résidence is her Franschhoek chapter — a property set among vineyards and mountains in one of South Africa's most storied wine regions, and widely regarded as one of the most beautiful boutique hotels on the continent. Every space carries Liz's signature: considered, deeply personal, and impossible to replicate. This is not a hotel that could have been designed by a committee. It is the work of a woman with a singular eye and the conviction to trust it completely.
Franschhoek's wine, food, and artistic traditions run deep — and the women who tend its vineyards, run its kitchens, and create in its studios are the heartbeat of the valley. Every experience on this retreat is designed to bring you into genuine connection with those women and the community they have built.
Day 1
Arrival & Estate Immersion
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Welcome, refreshments served on the terrace with views of the valley.
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Guided walk through the estate's own vineyards and herb gardens.
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Welcome dinner featuring a curated farm-to-table menu designed by a local female chef, highlighting seasonal ingredients from the estate.
Day 2
Female Winemaker Experience
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On property
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Visit to Oldenburg Vineyards for an immersive tasting hosted by Petronella Bekwa, focusing on terroir and history
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Participants will be responsible for buying their own lunch.
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Private Winemaker's Dinner at the estate, featuring guest winemakers.
Day 3
Purpose & The Great Outdoors
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On property
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Guided hike in the Mont Rochelle Nature Reserve.
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Meet Ali McAdam from the Royal Portfolio Foundation. Followed by Afternoon Tea.
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Casual sunset dining experience at the estate. A Braai Experience.
Day 4
Luxury & Artistry
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On property
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Fynbos mountain picnic.
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Wellness Treatment Room, spa treatments, or a trip into Franschhoek village to explore local art galleries. The option is up to you.
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Exclusive dinner setup on the estate.
Day 5
Departure
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On property
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This retreat is for you if…
You are a female founder or entrepreneur
You believe that women supporting women is not a slogan. It is the way you actually move through the world.
You want to travel somewhere that matters — where the experiences go deeper than the destination — into the lives of the women who shape it.
You understand that investing in yourself is not a luxury — it is the strategy.
What this is not:
A conference, mastermind, or workshop with a better view.
A large group where you are one of many.
A retreat where you are expected to pitch or perform.
A wellness trip in the traditional sense. What you'll find here goes further — restoration through experience, community, and the quiet power of giving back.
A girls' trip that happens to be in a beautiful location.
The details:
Location: La Residence, Franschhoek, South Africa
Dates: October 2027 — exact dates confirmed upon application
Duration: 5 days · 4 nights
Cohort size: 10 women
Flights: not included — guidance provided upon application
This cohort is limited to 10 guests and curated for values alignment. If this retreat feels like yours, I’d love to hear from you.