FAQs

Two reasons, and they fit together.

The first is a labrador called Einstein. He was clever, gentle and much loved, and he lived to 16. He is where the name and the character of our places come from.

The second is a laboratory. We test any new green technology thoroughly before it goes into a guest room, so nothing reaches you until we know it works properly.

Eco-conscious living, modern tech, open-plan design and warm hospitality.

Two are in Franschhoek village and one is in the countryside outside Robertson.

• theLAB Franschhoek, 15 Nerina Street. Eleven modern rooms plus two duplex villas, a seven or eight minute walk from the village restaurants. Best for couples and families who want to walk everywhere.
• theLAB Blue, 4 Erika Street. Nine rooms in a quieter garden setting with a pool and a jacuzzi, about 13 minutes on foot from the main street. Best if you want calm.
• theLAB Robertson, in Klaas Voogds West off the R60. A countryside guesthouse with a pool, our own restaurant and free electric car charging. Best for a slow few nights out of town.

Not sure? Send us your dates and how many of you there are, and we will tell you which one to book.

Franschhoek is in the Cape winelands, about an hour's drive from Cape Town.

theLAB Robertson is about 160 km from Cape Town, under two hours' drive, in the countryside just off the R60 between Robertson and Ashton.

For Robertson we can arrange a pick-up from Cape Town airport if you would rather not drive after a long flight. Ask us when you book.

Franschhoek is a village. You park the car and walk to dinner. There are more restaurants and tasting rooms in a few streets than anywhere else in the winelands, and it gets busy in summer.

Robertson is countryside and quiet. You are there for the view, the pool and the wine farms down the road. Nothing is within walking distance.

Guests with four nights or more often do both: a couple of nights in Franschhoek, then the drive over to Robertson. Book both with us and we will line up your check-out and check-in so you are not sitting in a car park.

In Franschhoek, not really. You can walk to the restaurants, tasting rooms and shops, and the wine tram picks up in the village. Uber is available in Franschhoek too, though how long you wait for a car can vary depending on the time of day and how far you are going.

In Robertson, yes. The wine farms are spread out, there is no public transport and there is no Uber in the valley, so you need a car or a driver booked in advance.

If you would rather not drive, we can recommend local transport companies and help you arrange a driver. Just ask us before you arrive.

All our properties have parking on site. theLAB Robertson has free electric car charging.

Breakfast is included at theLAB Franschhoek, theLAB Blue and theLAB Robertson. Villa guests have breakfast at the main guesthouse.

Wi-Fi and parking are included everywhere, along with the pool and the jacuzzi where the property has them.

Not included: dinner, wine, spa bookings and laundry.

Because you deal with us rather than a booking site. We can hold a late arrival, move you to a different room, book your dinner table and your tastings, and sort things out if your flight changes. A booking site cannot do any of that.

Tell us your rough arrival time when you book and someone will be there to let you in. If your flight lands late, contact reception in advance and we will arrange a late check-in. We would rather know than guess.

Most of our properties make use of solar and battery backup, so the lights, the Wi-Fi and the hot water keep working when the grid does not. The duplex villas at theLAB Franschhoek are not on solar.

At theLAB Robertson, yes. Our restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, with a short menu that changes with the season. Book your table when you book your room, especially at weekends.

In Franschhoek you are a short walk from dozens of restaurants, from a burger to a tasting menu, and we will book your table for you. If you would rather stay in, we can recommend local delivery options and help you set up a comfortable meal in your room.

Yes. theLAB Franschhoek and theLAB Blue both have a family room with a king bed and a separate room with two single beds, and theLAB Robertson has a mountain facing family room set up the same way.

The duplex villas at theLAB Franschhoek are the easiest option with young children: two en-suite bedrooms, your own kitchen and lounge, and a braai on the patio.

theLAB Robertson and theLAB Franschhoek are pet friendly. Tell us when you book so we can put you in the right room.

Yes, and it is worth asking before you arrive.

Massages. theLAB Robertson has a rustic wellness cabin on the property. In Franschhoek a therapist can come to your room. Book at least a day ahead.

Wine tastings. Tell us what you like to drink and how far you want to go, and we will help you plan the day and book the tastings.

A driver. If you plan to taste properly, do not drive. Ask us and we will help you arrange a driver for the day.

Yes. In Franschhoek we have thirteen units in total: eleven guesthouse rooms and two duplex villas sleeping four each. A group can take the villas plus rooms and still eat together. theLAB Blue adds another nine rooms a few minutes away in the same village, so a bigger group can spread across the two properties.

theLAB Robertson can host a company or a family in the countryside, with a meeting room and our own kitchen on site.

Send us your dates, how many people, and whether you need a meeting room or just dinner together, and we will come back with a price for the lot.