Key Points

• Leeu House is a 12-room boutique hotel in South Africa's wine country bookable through World of Hyatt's Mr & Mrs Smith partnership.
• Points redemptions include complimentary breakfast and access to sister properties' amenities like the spa and wine tastings.
• The central Franschhoek location puts you walking distance from world-class restaurants and wine tram stops.

Introduction

Finding luxury boutique hotels you can book with points used to mean settling for corporate chains. Not anymore. Thanks to Hyatt's acquisition of Mr & Mrs Smith in 2023, you can now use World of Hyatt points at over 1,800 boutique properties worldwide, including the stunning Leeu House in South Africa's Cape Winelands.

I'm talking about a property with just 12 rooms set in sculpture-filled gardens, where your breakfast includes fresh-baked pastries and your points booking comes with perks that cash guests don't always get. This is exactly why World of Hyatt remains one of the best hotel loyalty programs for travelers who want unique experiences beyond standard hotel chains.

What Is Leeu House?

Leeu House sits on Huguenot Street in the heart of Franschhoek, a picturesque village in South Africa's wine country about an hour from Cape Town. The property is part of the Leeu Collection, which includes three boutique hotels and several acclaimed restaurants throughout the valley.

The hotel occupies a series of Cape Dutch-style buildings arranged around manicured gardens with a 15-meter pool and views of the Drakenstein Mountains. With only 12 rooms and one suite, Leeu House feels more like a private residence than a hotel. The intimate scale means staff remember your name and preferences by your second breakfast.

The Mr & Mrs Smith Connection

Leeu House became bookable through World of Hyatt when Hyatt acquired the Mr & Mrs Smith booking platform. Unlike traditional Hyatt properties that follow the standard category-based award chart, Mr & Mrs Smith hotels use dynamic pricing. This means the points cost varies based on the cash rate, similar to how airline award seats work.

The good news? Points redemptions at Leeu House include everything cash bookings get, plus you earn Hyatt points and elite night credits on your stay. If you have World of Hyatt elite status, you'll receive the same benefits here as at any Hyatt property.

The Rooms: Understated Elegance

Every room at Leeu House follows the same design philosophy: quiet luxury with natural materials and neutral tones. Think sisal carpets, high-thread-count linens, polished mid-century furniture, and marble bathroom floors with underfloor heating.

Room Categories

Classic Rooms (approximately 45m²/484 sq ft) feature king beds, seating areas, and garden or mountain views. These are your entry-level option but hardly feel basic.

Deluxe Rooms add more space and better views, with some including private terraces overlooking the gardens.

The Suite (70m²/753 sq ft) occupies a separate building with a lounge area, fireplace, walk-in closet, and private terrace facing the pool and mountains. This is where you'll find the Dylan Lewis leopard sculpture that's become Instagram-famous.

All rooms include smart TVs, Nespresso machines, minibars, Healing Earth bath products, and air conditioning. The bathrooms particularly stand out with their double vanities, freeform bathtubs, generous showers, and heated towel rails.

What Makes The Rooms Special

The attention to detail separates Leeu House from standard luxury hotels. Staff members like Marius check that your log burner is burning properly and your poolside lounger is positioned just right. Your minibar gets restocked with items you actually want. Fresh fruit appears in your room daily.

It's the kind of place where you find yourself spending more time in your room than you planned, which is saying something when there's wine tasting to do.

Dining: The Conservatory and Beyond

Leeu House's on-site restaurant, The Conservatory, handles breakfast and offers an all-day menu with sandwiches, pasta, and light fare. The Art Deco-inspired space opens to a garden terrace where most guests prefer to dine.

Breakfast: Worth the Points

Here's where booking with World of Hyatt points delivers exceptional value. Breakfast is included with both cash and points reservations, and this isn't your standard continental spread.

The buffet features fresh-baked croissants and pastries, seasonal fruit, freshly-squeezed juices, and multiple coffee options. Hot selections include avocado on rye toast, local mushrooms on toast, eggs Benedict, and brioche French toast. Everything tastes like it came from a proper restaurant, because it did.

You can take breakfast in The Conservatory, on the terrace, by the pool, or in your room. Staff never makes you feel rushed, and refills appear before you ask.

Exploring Franschhoek's Food Scene

Most guests venture out for lunch and dinner, and Franschhoek gives you plenty of reasons to do so. The village has earned its reputation as South Africa's culinary capital, with more top-rated restaurants per capita than anywhere else in the country.

Several standouts connect to the Leeu Collection:

• La Petite Colombe at Leeu Estates serves multi-course tasting menus with creative presentations and wine pairings
• Protégé at Le Quartier Français delivers chef's-travels-inspired small plates in a casual setting
• Marigold across the street from Leeu House specializes in fine Indian curries

The hotel provides complimentary wine tasting at Mullineux & Leeu Family Wines, and the concierge books reservations at any restaurant you're interested in. Pro tip: book ahead, as tables at the best spots fill quickly.

The Pool and Gardens: Your Private Oasis

The freeform pool might be Leeu House's best feature. Surrounded by mature trees and tropical plantings, with the Drakenstein Mountains as backdrop and Dylan Lewis sculptures strategically placed throughout, it feels like someone's very wealthy private estate.

The pool isn't heated, which makes it refreshing rather than swim-lap comfortable. But on warm Franschhoek afternoons, that's exactly what you want. Plush loungers dot the deck, staff brings drinks and snacks, and the whole setup is exclusively for hotel guests from 7am to 7pm.

Security maintains a discreet presence throughout the property, so you never feel unsafe leaving your belongings poolside or in the gardens while you take a swim.

Location: Right in the Heart of Franschhoek

Leeu House's position on Huguenot Street puts you in Franschhoek's center, which means you can walk to most restaurants, galleries, and the wine tram stop. This is unusual for wine country properties, which typically require a car for everything.

What's Within Walking Distance

• Wine tram stop (5 minutes)
• Multiple tasting rooms (2-15 minutes)
• Art galleries and boutiques (2-10 minutes)
• Top restaurants including Tuk-Tuk Brewery and several Leeu Collection spots (2-5 minutes)
• Huguenot Monument and Museum (10 minutes)

The village itself feels safe enough for evening walks, though security at the property means you don't have to worry about leaving and returning.

Getting to Sister Properties

Leeu House provides complimentary shuttle service to Leeu Estates (5 minutes) and Le Quartier Français (3 minutes walk). The shuttle runs on set times, but you can also book it in advance for specific trips.

This matters because Leeu Estates houses the Leeu Spa, a TechnoGym, and the Mullineux tasting room. Having access to these amenities while staying at the more intimate Leeu House gives you the best of both worlds.

Booking With World of Hyatt Points

Unlike standard Hyatt properties that use category-based pricing, Mr & Mrs Smith hotels like Leeu House use dynamic award pricing. The points cost fluctuates based on the cash rate, similar to booking flights with miles.

How Much You'll Pay

Points costs vary significantly by season and availability. During my research, I found redemptions ranging from 15,000 to 35,000 points per night for standard rooms, depending on travel dates. Peak season (December-January and March-April) commands the highest rates.

To check current rates:

1. Visit World of Hyatt's website
2. Search for Leeu House in Franschhoek
3. Select your dates
4. Toggle "Use Points" to see the award price

The dynamic pricing means you should compare the points cost to the cash rate and calculate your cents-per-point value. Generally, you want to aim for at least 1.5-1.8 cents per point value on World of Hyatt redemptions.

What's Included With Points

Points bookings include:

• Full à la carte breakfast for two
• Fruit platter and bottle of wine on arrival
• One wine tasting at the Great Heart boutique
• Access to all Leeu Collection amenities
• Standard World of Hyatt elite benefits

This compares favorably to many luxury hotels where breakfast costs $30-50 per person and welcome amenities are reserved for top-tier elites.

Elite Benefits Apply

If you hold World of Hyatt Globalist status, you'll receive:

• Confirmed suite upgrades (when available)
• Late checkout (typically 4pm)
• Bonus points on your stay
• Access to club benefits or breakfast choice

Even Discoverist status (which you get automatically with the World of Hyatt Credit Card) includes late checkout and bonus points.

How to Earn World of Hyatt Points

If you're looking to book Leeu House with points, here are the fastest ways to build your World of Hyatt balance.

Credit Card Sign-Up Bonuses

The World of Hyatt Credit Card currently offers up to 60,000 bonus points after meeting spending requirements. That's enough for multiple nights at mid-tier properties or 1-2 nights at Leeu House during standard season.

The card includes:

• One free night annually at Category 1-4 properties (up to 15,000 points value)
• Automatic Discoverist status
• 4 bonus points per dollar at Hyatt properties
• 2 points per dollar on dining, airlines, gym memberships, and transit
• $95 annual fee

For business travelers, the World of Hyatt Business Credit Card offers similar benefits plus up to $100 in Hyatt statement credits annually.

Transfer From Chase Ultimate Rewards

Chase Ultimate Rewards points transfer to World of Hyatt at 1:1 ratio, making cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred and Chase Sapphire Reserve excellent partners for booking Hyatt stays.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred currently offers 60,000 bonus points after $4,000 in spending within three months, and those points can transfer instantly to your World of Hyatt account when you're ready to book.

Staying at Hyatt Properties

Earning points through stays is straightforward: 5 base points per dollar spent at most Hyatt properties. Combined with elite bonuses and credit card multipliers, you can rack up points quickly if you travel frequently.

Who Should Book Leeu House

Great Fit For:

• Couples seeking a romantic wine country escape without the isolation of vineyard properties
• Travelers who want boutique hotel character with loyalty program benefits
• Anyone building World of Hyatt status who wants to enjoy unique properties while earning elite nights
• Wine enthusiasts who also value walkability and restaurant access
• Travelers who appreciate small properties where staff remember your name

Not Ideal For:

• Families with children (Leeu House is adults-only, no guests under 18)
• Groups needing multiple connected rooms (consider Leeu Estates instead)
• Budget travelers uncomfortable with luxury pricing even when using points
• Anyone seeking traditional Hyatt amenities like business centers or executive lounges

Comparing Leeu House to Other Hyatt Properties

Most World of Hyatt redemptions happen at the chain's traditional hotels, but the Mr & Mrs Smith partnership opens up an entirely different category of properties. Here's how Leeu House compares to more typical Hyatt stays:

Versus Standard Hyatt Hotels

Traditional Hyatt properties follow consistent brand standards, which means you know exactly what to expect. Leeu House trades predictability for personality. You won't find a Regency Club lounge or a gym with Peloton bikes, but you will get intimate service and unique design you won't find anywhere else.

The points value calculation also differs. At a Category 4 Hyatt, you'd pay 12,000-18,000 points per night for a standard room. Leeu House costs more points but includes breakfast, welcome amenities, and access to spa facilities that would cost extra at regular Hyatts.

Versus Other Mr & Mrs Smith Properties

Hyatt's Mr & Mrs Smith portfolio includes over 1,800 boutique hotels worldwide. Leeu House stands out for its location, dining access, and the ability to move between three sister properties. Many Mr & Mrs Smith hotels operate as standalone properties without these additional amenities.

The South Africa location also means your points stretch further than they would booking similar properties in Europe or North America, where boutique hotels command premium rates.

Practical Tips for Booking

Best Time to Visit

Franschhoek's peak season runs December through February (South African summer) and again in March-April during harvest. Expect higher points costs and advance booking requirements during these periods.

Shoulder seasons (September-November and May-June) offer excellent weather, lower points costs, and easier reservations. Winter (July-August) sees the lowest rates but also cold, wet weather.

How Far in Advance to Book

Mr & Mrs Smith properties don't always release full availability to Hyatt as far in advance as traditional properties. I recommend checking 6-9 months out for peak season travel, 3-6 months for shoulder season.

If you see availability at a points cost you're comfortable with, book it. You can always cancel if plans change, and there's no guarantee the same dates will be available or at the same price later.

Combining With Other South Africa Travel

Most visitors to Leeu House combine it with time in Cape Town (1 hour away) and the broader Winelands region. Consider using a mix of points and cash across your trip to maximize value where it makes sense.

Cape Town has several excellent Hyatt properties bookable with standard category pricing, which can be more efficient than dynamic pricing for city stays. Save your points for Leeu House and similar unique properties where breakfast inclusion and special amenities add significant value.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I book Leeu House with points plus cash?

No, Mr & Mrs Smith properties don't participate in Hyatt's Points + Cash program. You'll need to book with either all points or all cash.

Do elite benefits apply at Mr & Mrs Smith hotels?

Yes, World of Hyatt elite members receive standard benefits including late checkout, bonus points, and upgrade eligibility at Mr & Mrs Smith properties. However, upgrade availability depends on the specific property's room types and inventory.

How many points do I need for Leeu House?

The cost varies based on dates and availability due to dynamic pricing. Expect to pay 15,000-35,000 points per night for standard rooms, with higher costs during peak seasons.

Is breakfast included when booking with points?

Yes, Leeu House includes full à la carte breakfast for two guests with both cash and points bookings. This is worth approximately $50-70 per day based on typical Cape Winelands pricing.

Can I earn points when staying on an award booking?

Yes, you earn 5 base points per dollar spent on eligible incidental charges like dining, spa services, and minibar purchases. You also earn elite qualifying nights that count toward status.

Do I need a car in Franschhoek?

Not necessarily. Leeu House's central location puts you walking distance from restaurants, galleries, and the wine tram. However, having a car gives you more flexibility for exploring wineries throughout the valley.

Final Verdict

Leeu House represents exactly what makes the World of Hyatt and Mr & Mrs Smith partnership valuable: access to distinctive properties you can book with points while still earning rewards. The 12-room boutique format delivers service quality and intimate atmosphere that large hotels can't match, all while you're using the same World of Hyatt points you'd spend on a standard hotel.

The dynamic pricing means you need to be strategic about when you book and how you value your points. During high season when rooms cost 30,000+ points per night, you might get better value at other Hyatt properties. But during shoulder season, when costs drop to 15,000-20,000 points and you're getting breakfast, wine tastings, and access to three properties worth of amenities, Leeu House delivers exceptional value.

If you're planning a South Africa trip and have World of Hyatt points to spend, put Leeu House on your shortlist. Just make sure you have enough points to book at least two nights. One night doesn't give you enough time to experience everything the property and village have to offer.

Start earning World of Hyatt points through the credit card, transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards from your Sapphire cards, or both. Then book yourself into one of the Cape Winelands' most distinctive boutique hotels, all while earning elite nights and bonus points for your next trip.

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