ABRACA
SCARBOROUGH, SOUTHERN PENINSULA, CAPE TOWN
Dreamy Interiors
Nestled within the gaze of the Slangkop Cliffs that languish behind it and with uninterrupted views across Cape Point Nature Reserve and its surrounding wetlands – Abraça is a gem of a holiday retreat. Located in the rural hamlet of Scarborough, a mere 45 minutes from Cape Town, the pristine and often deserted beach is just a five minute stroll through the wetlands. Designed for small groups of friends or a multi-generational family, this magnificent property has all the requisite factors (tick: remote, rural, rugged, rustic, safe, private yet luxurious and comfortable) that we consider essential to, and for, total relaxation and a restorative retreat. Beloved for its natural bounty of unspoilt beaches, spectacular mountain trails and untrammelled surf breaks, Scarborough is also home to a burgeoning creative and wellness community that encompasses food, art, music, coastal foraging and cold-water swimming, to name but a few.
Accommodating the varying needs of everyone from tweens, teens, singletons, family groups and oldies alike has been effortlessly achieved at Abraça – with generously proportioned bedrooms complete with desk(s), a reading chair, reading lamps as well as all the necessary tech requirements for those who wish to steal away in solitude with their devices. Laid out over three levels, the L-shaped property is divided into a trio of zones with family quarters on the lower garden level that can accommodate four (sharing a spacious bathroom) while a loft suite on the upper level (perfect for a couple or singleton) is afforded a buffer of privacy thanks to the clever addition of a living area beneath it. A further two generous en-suite bedrooms on the ground level near the kitchen and indoor/ outdoor entertaining areas conspire to make this a capacious space that can sleep 10 guests with absolute ease.
Allowing for the fact that within a large group of friends or family there may be smaller groups who wish to break away from time to time, the house is designed to be responsive to these needs by way of cleverly considered communal areas. An open-plan kitchen, dining and fireplace snug area on the ground level leads out to a covered outdoor BBQ, pool lounge and a sumptuous rectangular stone pool; while just around the corner is a communal fire pit where classic safari camping chairs are perfect for a spot of stargazing. In addition, the extensive garden is thoroughly connected to the living spaces by way of three large covered verandas that are fully furnished to function as outdoor rooms. And for those in search of a further ‘green’ retreat, the garden has been designed as a series of spaces that beckon one outdoors as they offer the opportunity for play, tranquillity, conversation, contemplation, celebration and community in equal measure.
