hideaways Hotlist
Cliffside, Hermanus, Overberg
There’s something to be said about rising from the comfiest bed, layered in utter luxury, slipping away from the sheets and into a robe. The shutters have lifted themselves to reveal the view that unravels over the succulents, the fynbos and rose geranium, across the rolling lawns and into the ocean below. The morning sun is dancing on the tide’s curling waves as spears of silver pierce those sleepy eyes, encouraging you to make your way down to the tidal pool to brave the water that laps around the boulders. Back and forth you paddle and wade through the cold that turns to warmth and then to fire. Igniting an invigorating and deeply pacifying feeling of gratitude. This moment is yours, alone in the ocean’s pool, with the whales, the seals and seagulls just beyond reach. Yes, there’s something indelible to be said about how your days begin at Cliffside.
Drakenskloof,
Bainskloof Pass, Worcester
It takes an extraordinary kind of place to stir up nostalgia so wittingly, without being too blatant about it. Rather furtively waking up that inner child who’s been wistfully waiting to run wild. A place that reminds us about our core values and why we hold them so close to our hearts. A place that stimulates the senses as fluidly as it pacifies. It asks pertinent questions. How we see the world around us and the people we choose to decorate our lives with. The way we love them and, in turn, ourselves. When we discover such a rare place and find all of the answers to those questions, we’ll leave an entirely new person. Just as that extraordinary place intended you to part from it.
Drakenskloof is that place. As close as it is to Cape Town – just a 90 minute drive – you’ll find yourself in another world entirely, one where everything you’d need, want, or desire appears magically yet unobtrusively at your fingertips. Consciously created as an all-inclusive experience, Drakenskloof is also exclusive use, to ensure this experience is shared only with your
Beau Constantia Villa,
Constantia, Cape Town
Revered as one of the most scenic spots in the Constantia winelands, Beau Constantia is home to over 22 hectares of undulating slopes of lawn and natural fynbos vegetation, 11 hectares of elevated vines – 350 metres above sea level – a wine tasting room, the sublime dining space of Chefs Warehouse and an avant-garde villa, overlooking the valley, its mountain ranges and all the way out to False Bay. It goes without saying that the views that unravel from every aspect of this boutique wine farm are truly breathtaking. As if you’re planted into the biosphere of Constantia Nek, with its lush greenery and canopy of trees, and uplifted to soar in line with the Stellenbosh and Helderberg mountain ranges in the distance.
Buitenzorg,
Constantia, Cape Town
With its dapper 1940’s Cape Dutch facade and eclectic, unfettered interiors, Buitenzorg holds its poise like an earnest gentleman in a contemporary art museum, acquiescing every onlooker, without a hint of ostentation. Set on six acres of equestrian paddocks and stables, rolling green lawns, oak, avocado and fig trees, English rose gardens, herb and vegetable patches, olive groves, citrus and apple orchards, two swimming pools, tennis court, guest cottage and a wild meadow – this hideaway declares sublime suburban living, in the heart of the Constantia winelands.
Dawn Villa, Constantia, Cape Town
Whether you and your family choose to spend your days ensconced in the blissful surroundings of Dawn Villa’s gardens and relaxing entertainment spaces, or onto the mountain trails, into the tasting rooms of the neighbouring wine estates or venturing towards the great beaches nearby, the hideaway lends itself as an avant-garde retreat where your own tapestries will be stitched together. You’ll weave together memories of doing cartwheels on the lawn, telling stories around the fireplaces, exploring fairy gardens and dancing beneath the stars. You’ll indulge in all of the finest foods, treats and tipples that the great Cape furnishes us with. As you allow the mountain and her revitalising air to add those natural hues to the vibrancy of your timeless tapestry.
Hope House, Oranjezicht, Cape Town
Grand and with good bones. It might well be a passing reference to a duchess of some standing in society of the 1920s. But it is embodied in one’s first sight of the antique rose coloured exterior of Hope House with its glorious architectural proportions and what seem countless visual aspects from its setting high on the slopes of Oranjezicht. Secluded garden areas open up to a sky view of Table Mountain and a distant city roofscape that becomes a carpet of lights by night. It is a perfect city escape yet only minutes from the best of Cape Town from restaurants to galleries and the harbour beyond.
Maison Franschhoek, Franschhoek, Cape Winelands
Franschhoek has long been revered as the suave cosmopolis of the Cape wine regions. With its exhilarating scenery, bountiful world class vineyards and restaurants, and joie de vivre village life, it furnishes every visitor’s expectations seamlessly, and satiates every resident’s soul daily. It’s no wonder, then, that the esteemed founders of the leading furniture and homeware retailer in South Africa – Weylandts – chose this hamlet as their home. After an impromptu afternoon of gallivanting around the original homestead of Maison, surveying the land that nestles itself at the foot of the Franschhoek mountains, the owners –without even leaving the vehicle for fear of being mauled by a ferocious resident hound – purchased the property and set their hearts on restoring the late 18th Century barn and its stables, to the contemporary architectural masterpiece it is now.
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Maison Noir, Hout Bay, Cape Town
To enter the front door of Maison Noir one first traverses a wooden boardwalk straddling two ponds filled with koi… and a sense of ease begins to permeate. There is an open-sided verandah in front of you as you step inside, a space which immediately brings to mind the words ‘yoga’ and ‘meditation’. You hang left into the vast, beautiful living area, dominated by a high-pitched roof which looks out over the pool to the garden and the indigenous fynbos beyond.
Villa Verte,
Nestled within the hills of Hout Bay, this sleek and contemporary hideaway peaks out through the forest with its back against the mountain, and spreads itself out towards the Constantiaberg mountains in the distance. Set on two expansive living-levels, with a long, curving art gallery at the core, four individual suites (two kings and two master suites) move off into their own, intimate, lavish spaces with expansive views over the valley. Cosy corners are tucked between built-in bookshelves and sturdy wood-burning stoves. Cavernous bathrooms with freestanding, state-of-the-art bathtubs and walk-in showers, are as enticing to escape to as the surrounding mountains.
Hout Bay, Cape Town
Owloon, Paarl, Cape Winelands
A superbly private gem hidden in a valley in the skirts of the boulder-strewn Paarl Mountain, Owloon was largely overlooked until a visionary ‘nature lover’ discovered it was for sale. After looking at over 300 farms from Cape Point to Karoo, it was the first and only one that truly appealed as ‘it is historic and traditional, it has its own water source and is surrounded by extraordinary beauty’. Poignantly, the original 1797 gable of the original farm cottage bears the initials of its first owners, although little is known of this very early history. In the same year, the farmstead at nearby Rheebokskloof was built, joining the likes of Nederberg, Laborie and Landskroon in Paarl. It was here, at this humble cottage at the heart of the farm, with never-ending views along the valley to the wheat-rich fields of the Swartland, that painstaking restoration work started.
Patina Farm, Stellenbosch, Cape Winelands
To the owners, Patina Farm reflects the meaning of home and its ability to wrap its arms around us, where we feel protected and an inner state of happiness and grace is evoked. Being surrounded by nature is their greatest joy and passion. Certainly, a sense of the history and understated elegance of this rather special home begins to permeate as soon as one enters the farm, via a long driveway lined with beautiful, huge oak trees. The homestead is over 100 years old and set on a working plum farm completely hidden in a valley just outside Stellenbosch, the primus locus of Cape landscape with its miles of signature vines.
Seascape, Greenpoint, Cape Town
It is only when you turn and, with your back to the mountain, take in one of the most glorious and powerful views of Cape Town, that you fully appreciate the impact of Seascape high on the slopes of Table Mountain National Park. Framed by the green belt, the Cape Town stadium is a giant ‘art piece’ in the distance. Beyond is the Atlantic Ocean and Robben Island so critical in shaping the country’s recent history. In the near distance, the rooftops of houses and apartments create a mosaic of grey and terracotta, which by nightfall become an urban galaxy of lights. You are perfectly placed to explore and enjoy one of the world’s iconic cities.
Sterrekopje, Franschhoek, Cape Winelands
Settled in the Franschhoek Valley on 50 hectares of olive groves, fruit orchards, vineyards, vegetable, herb, and medicinal gardens, meandering pathways leading through long grasses, wildflowers and fynbos constellations, a swimming dam and natural swimming pools, a perennial garden and a chakra garden, secret gathering spots beneath ancient oaks, and timeless water troughs and ponds with Waterblommetjies dancing on the ripples, this hideaway is an unraveling interpretation of its history of the land, sharing its story from the soil to the stars. Having been in a farming family for five generations, Sterrekopje has been ardently regenerated into a sanctuary by its new, discerning custodians and her honorary family of chefs, farmers, practitioners and artists.
Stone House, Hermanus, Overberg
Is there a hideaway in the world where you open your eyes and with a small adjustment of your down pillows, watch whales breaching from the cocooned warmth of your bed? Lie quite still and count the seconds between the giant swells of Walker Bay pushed by a strong north-easter. The seven-meter waves undulating over Great Whites and Southern Rights ‘demand respect’ say the locals who surf them. So do the creators of the extraordinary Stone House Hermanus that is so sensitively rooted to the land. Their choice was to ‘grow’ the house organically on the cliffs of Hermanus with rock in muted earth shades of pink and ochre, quarried and set painstakingly down over three years. From the ocean, it is at one with the skyline of clinging fynbos and the cliff face.
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Villa Intaba, Bishopscourt, Cape Town
Set on 2.5 acres of acacia trees and restionaceae grasses, old Ficus trees, trickling water features and meticulously tiered hedges, with the lush greenery cascading the back of Table Mountain commanding your attention, Villa Intaba is a monolithic statement of linear perfection. Inspired by the “haiku” effect of Japanese architect Tadao Ando’s style of spatial circulation, light bounces off every symmetrical surface of the Indian Dholpur sandstone that dominates throughout – a relentless reflection of nature in all its glory. Vast, open spaces summon you in through the monumental entrance hall that’s flanked by lavish living areas and a state-of-the-art French copper kitchen – all leading out to the magnificent mountain that’s a bountiful backdrop to the swimming pool.
Samadhi,
Hout Bay, Cape Town
Arriving at Samadhi is like entering into a lavish, private sanctuary in one of Cape Town’s most diverse and scenic suburbs, just a short drive from some of the best beaches and finest vineyards. As you meander your way up the curved driveway, passing the lemon trees and lush gardens, you are immediately whisked away with its tranquility. Cushioned into the backside of table mountain, emerging from the pine forests and natural fynbos, overlooking the majestic Constantiaberg mountain range and rolling valley below, this hideaway hints at being your very own hotel, in the hills of Hout Bay. Samadhi – which means harmony in unison with spirit and soul in ancient Sanskrit – gently cascades down the undulating slopes of indigenous wild and manicured gardens into tiers of boundless entertaining, living, reclining and dining spaces.
Casa Blanca, Clifton, Cape Town
Tucked under Lion’s Head and with stupendous views over the sea and Twelve Apostles, Casa Blanca is our most glamorous beach villa. Barefoot luxury at its best, this relaxed yet perfectly curated sanctuary has guests longing to linger forever. Cocooned on the hillside, above the four pristine beaches of Clifton, Casa Blanca combines the best of location and privacy all in one. Tucked up a quiet street off the Glen, parking is never a problem either, and it takes a mere 10 minutes to walk downhill to one of the Cape’s most beautiful beaches. Upstairs, the master suite is a private enclave off the open-plan living area with an extensive dressing room behind. Bathing in the sunken bath in front of the four-poster bed is the ultimate luxury, with views to match. Come summer, the glass doors slide back for a view of the stars, and in winter, the fireplace next to the bath glows with warmth.
Icaria,
Bantry Bay, Cape
Suspended on the steep mountain slopes over Cape Town’s iconic Atlantic Seaboard is an astonishing hidden treasure. Icaria is a delightful surprise in every way. The first surprise is that this most sought-after – and densely developed – address in Africa actually houses a pristine finger of Table Mountain National Reserve that reaches down from the mountain slopes to tickle the swelling waters of the Atlantic Ocean. The second is that the entire southern edge of Icaria – the largest residential erf in the entire area – blends into this pristine, fynbos-covered nature reserve. As I smoothly glide up in the funicular from busy Victoria Road I encounter the best surprise of all: utterly secluded and tranquil Icaria. As I ascend the vertiginous mountainside, the hip Atlantic Seaboard scene falls away until all I can see is the swell of the endless sea below, and all I can hear is the peaceful shushing of the waves.
Sophie’s Rock, Hermanus, Overberg
The captivating charm that Hermanus has over other seaside destinations is its history. A compelling story of an old fishing village – once named Hermanspietersfontein, but then shortened by the Postal Service in 1902 – that has evolved over the years, harbouring a long-lived community that’s as nurtured in its lineage as it is lauded in its growth. It’s a place where families have resided and holidayed for generations gone and will be for generations to come. For its coastal walks, ocean wildlife, swimming coves, and long sandy stretches. Its café and restaurant culture, curious boutiques, and buzzing farmer’s markets. Its mountain trails and freshwater streams, with adventure thrilling escapades and easy, laidback village life. It opens the doors to your own family’s kingdom of memories and makes way for you to furnish it as you so wish.
Ravine House, Bantry Bay, Cape Town
Can you imagine combining Asian decor influences with contemporary South African art and architecture in a cliffside setting in Bantry Bay? Welcome to Ravine House, where the interior designer´s signature style of understated glamour has cleverly merged the two styles with ease… and whether you reach the upper suites by glass lift or the elegantly curved staircase, the views are always nothing short of spectacular. Black-and-white awnings add a touch of European panache (not surprising as the owners transform beautiful homes all over the world, from New York to St Moritz) although there’s simply no mistaking the views here, with Robben Island surrounded by the azure waters of Cape Town’s Table Bay in the distance.
Monument House Estate, Franschhoek, Cape Winelands
Settled on over four acres of formal, manicured gardens amidst wild, indigenous flower beds that lay beyond long, languid stoeps. Walk beneath terraces and pergolas, around natural ponds and a cosmic checkered swimming pool, Monument House is Franschhoek’s discerning nod to Versailles. Positioned no farther than five minutes from the high street, but feeling a million miles away from civilization, this property is unique. Hailing from a revered life in fashion design and interior decorating and partnered with her lifelong friend Janet, Wendy Smith has created and curated a wonderful, whimsical tale of enduring love, travel and inimitable style. It’s their letter, with their stamp, sent to you from Wales via Singapore & London.
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Lamu House, Plettenberg Bay, Garden Route
Nestled within the wilderness of the wetlands, sitting on the periphery of the bird sanctuary, and a short wander from the waves of Robberg Beach, Lamu House opens its original, robust Zanzibar doors into a secluded oasis of tropical bliss. With its rescued king and Madagascan palms, tree aloes, and ferns, all occupying the north-facing courtyard, this hideaway instantly captivates the cockles of an escapist’s heart and lures you in to its vast open spaces that flow seamlessly from the inside out. A collaboration of design between architect Paul Oosthuizen and the owners – both hailing from life-long careers in five-star hospitality – Lamu House is a tribute to the couple’s years of travel, to their family, to love, to unity, and eternity. As seen in the mosaic symbols and their deeper meaning, that are glistening from the bottom of the swimming pool, embedded as bronze inlays in front of the three indoor fireplaces, and up on the rooftop terraces.
42 Beachy Head,
Plettenberg Bay, Garden Route
Every day at Beachy Head starts with a full-frame sunrise over the ocean. Dolphins often frolic in the waves and a yacht sails past just beyond. You may practice yoga on the front deck, or instead, sip your early morning coffee to greet the new day. Either way, staying at Beachy Head is idyllic. Positioned on Plettenberg Bay’s ‘millionaire’s strip’ on Beachy Head Drive, the house enjoys a prime location between Beacon Island and Robberg. From the street, it’s unimposing with a gorgeous planted roof garden, but once you step inside you are in a private and elegant space. Comprising two levels, with a third level below ground, the house hugs a spacious internal courtyard with a heated pool and shady areas for dining or reclining. A smaller second courtyard has a trampoline just for fun and the soundproof basement offers activities galore – play music, snooker, poker, watch TV or take in a movie in the uber-comfy, state-of-the-art 12-seater cinema.
Bobbejaanskloof,
Plettenberg Bay, Garden Route
On the edge of Plettenberg Bay on the Garden Route, hidden amongst the foothills of the Tsitsikamma Mountains, Bobbejaanskloof is a magnificent property at the heart of a dramatic private wilderness featuring indigenous fynbos, old forests and sweeping plains. And yet, just a twenty-minute drive away, Plettenberg Bay offers everything you’d expect from one of South Africa’s most sophisticated, and popular holiday spots. Everything about Bobbejaanskloof makes sense in the South African context. As the focus of the property, the four-bedroom, three-bathroom farmhouse is everything you’d expect of a homestead designed in the local vernacular style and built to give the impression that it’s always been there. Across the courtyard the recently added family suite sensitively blends in with the older structure and feels just as time-worn.
Spidersweb, Plettenberg Bay, Garden Route
Settled on the rolling dunes of Beachy Head, cushioned into the indigenous coastal vegetation, overlooking the endless body of blue, Spider’s Web snares you in its threads of beach bungalow bliss, and holds you captive for days, sometimes weeks, on end. Not that you’ll be pleading for any release. It’s the layers of rich textures and soft neutral hues, reflecting those of Robberg’s serene environment that pacify you in to a succumbing state of rest. A lavish layout over three levels of living, dining, reclining and entertaining spaces, six ensuite bedrooms, long terraces and a back courtyard with a heated swimming pool, a state-ofthe-art rotisserie braai and pizza oven, and ample languid seating areas - all tiered into the slopes of the garden that unravel to the shoreline - amplify those moments of rest. As well as inciting that resplendent Plett holiday vibe, that only those who are in the know, can describe.
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