If you're looking for a place by the beach in Cape Town, Camps Bay is a great bet. Just 15 minutes' drive from the city centre, it's a hip neighbourhood with an upbeat vibe and an appealing array of restaurants, bars and suntans. Follow the sandy strip to its northern end, and you'll reach Glen Beach. Here you'll be in a league of your own. Sandwiched between 2 rocky outcrops, this stretch of sand is small enough to feel like it belongs to you, yet wide enough for local surfers to carve some serious waves.
Glen Beach is the setting for all but one of these spectacular beach houses and villas. They range from 2 to 6 bedrooms, and all have exceptional ocean views. The Glen Beach Villas and Apartment range from 1-5 bedrooms apiece, while the stunning Glen Beach House, right on the sand, can be rented as a whole (perfect for groups of up to 12); or split into a 4-bed Main House (ideal for a larger family) and a separate 2-bed Penthouse (for a couple or small family). Finally, Bakoven, just to the south of Camps Bay, has 3 bedrooms in the main house, plus a fourth in its garden cottage.
All are decked out in a clean, contemporary style with all you need to make them your base: open-plan living rooms, kitchens with daily housekeeping, and private plunge pools. But what really stole our hearts was being able to watch the sun sink into the sea from our terrace, then easily stroll into town for a lively evening out.
Highs
- Great locations - either on, or a short walk from, Glen Beach and Camps Bay; close to popular Clifton Beach, and only a short drive from central Cape Town
- The villas have bags of space, refreshing plunge pools, off-street parking and weekday housekeeping
- Glen Beach has a more exclusive feel to it than Camps Bay
- The outstanding views of the Atlantic mean this is a great place to watch the setting sun;
- The Main House and Penthouse are two of the few properties in Cape Town with direct beach access; we loved falling asleep to the sound of the waves
Lows
- The Glen Beach Villas and Bakoven House sit further back from the beach than the Beach House, but the sea views are still very good
- The Glen Apartment doesn't have much of a view, but is still very close to the beach
- Occasionally the strong wind picks up, as it can anywhere in the Cape
- If you rent the Main House or Penthouse separately you may end up sharing the building with other holidaymakers, but the staircase connecting them will be sealed off to give you total privacy, and each has a private terrace and pool
Best time to go
Cape Town is truly a year-round destination.
High summer is from October to February, and you'll need to book early, especially over Christmas and New Year (for which you'll also pay a hefty premium, and a longer minimum stay).
We think the autumn months (March and April) are delightful, with warm seas and few crowds. And September - the start of spring - can be lovely too.
The green season (June-August) is the wettest and coolest period, though it's often no worse than an English summer. And the villas are warm and cosy, with underfloor heating in some rooms.
High summer is from October to February, and you'll need to book early, especially over Christmas and New Year (for which you'll also pay a hefty premium, and a longer minimum stay).
We think the autumn months (March and April) are delightful, with warm seas and few crowds. And September - the start of spring - can be lovely too.
The green season (June-August) is the wettest and coolest period, though it's often no worse than an English summer. And the villas are warm and cosy, with underfloor heating in some rooms.
Our top tips
You have a choice of beaches: Glen Beach (right outside) is sheltered and quieter, while trendy Camps Bay - which adjoins it to the south - has a great selection of restaurants and bars, including Col'Cacchio for delicious thin-based pizzas.
For superb deli-prepared meals, head to La Cuccina in Hout Bay (open daily, and there's a great craft market every Sunday).
Heading out, Chapman's Peak Drive is one of the world's most breathtaking coast roads; continue to Boulder's Beach to spot penguins, and on to wave-lashed Cape Point if you have time.
Or take a trip up Table Mountain - the cable car is a short drive away and you can walk back down. We also love climbing the spectacular peak of Lion’s Head to watch the sunset.
For superb deli-prepared meals, head to La Cuccina in Hout Bay (open daily, and there's a great craft market every Sunday).
Heading out, Chapman's Peak Drive is one of the world's most breathtaking coast roads; continue to Boulder's Beach to spot penguins, and on to wave-lashed Cape Point if you have time.
Or take a trip up Table Mountain - the cable car is a short drive away and you can walk back down. We also love climbing the spectacular peak of Lion’s Head to watch the sunset.
- Beach Villas
- 1 apartment + 6 villas for 2-12
- Self-catering; restaurants nearby
- All ages welcome
- Open all year
- Plunge Pool
- Spa Treatments
- Beach Nearby
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Car not necessary
- Parking
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
- Daily Maid Service
- Towels & Bedlinen
Glen Beach House (2-6br)
This house - which combines a 4-bedroom main house and a 2-bedroom penthouse - is right on the beach. We think it's the pick of the bunch - so book early! The two can be rented together (a staircase links the two) to create a stunning 6-bedroom Beach House.
The Penthouse (2 bedrooms) has a wonderful sense of space, thanks to its high white-painted eaves and open-plan living area. African portraits and coconut shell lampshades remind you that you’re in Cape Town, not Hollywood. Sliding doors open onto an ocean-facing terrace with wicker furniture and cushioned loungers, and round the back lies an eye-catching glass-sided pool. Both bedrooms (1 double, 1 twin) have TVs and ensuite bathrooms behind glass screens, with walk-in showers made of creamy marble. The master bedroom at the front won the prize for us - here you can lie back on kingsize cotton sheets and gaze out to sea.
The Main House (4 bedrooms) combines a pristine white palette with feature walls of smooth beach stones. The open-plan living area has huge suede sofas in muted natural tones, and a kitchen island with bar stools. Three of the bedrooms have ensuite bathrooms with frosted glass doors and smooth white pebble walls; the bathroom for the fourth bedroom sits across the landing.
Both are set up for self-catering, with indoor and outdoor dining tables and a well-equipped kitchen (fridge / freezer, dishwasher, microwave) - but note that the Penthouse does not have a conventional oven. Basic provisions are supplied, and there's a supermarket 15 minutes' walk away.
Glen Beach Villas (1-5br)
Just up the hill behind the coastal road are three spectacular 4-5 bedroom villas, great for large families or groups; plus a 1-bedroom apartment nearby, which is perfect for couples.
Villa 1 (5 bedrooms) is on the lowest level of the apartment block, but it still has plenty of light thanks to large sliding windows. The master bedroom has a kingsize bed, sea views and an ensuite with a bathtub and a shower. There are 4 more double bedrooms and 3 further bathrooms, as well as a guest toilet.
Villas 2 and 3 (both 4 bedrooms) are split across the ground and first floors, with Atlantic views and additional balconies looking inland towards Lion's Head. Both have master bedrooms with partitioned sitting areas that can hold an extra bed if needed, plus 3 further bedrooms (most with ensuite bathrooms). Villa 2’s master bedroom is particularly special - its limestone flooring is cool underfoot, while its bathtub and shower are separated from the sleeping area by glass panelling.
The Glen Apartment (1 bedroom) is situated in another building close to the villas. The space is fully open plan, with an ornate - and see-through - room divider separating the living area and bedroom. This is, therefore, the best choice for a couple, though there is a sofabed suitable for up to 2 small children if needed. Guests have access to an outdoor pool (shared with the rest of the apartments in the building), with the beach only a stone's throw away.
The apartment and villas are well equipped for self-catering, with indoor and outdoor dining (indoor only at the apartment) and an open-plan kitchen (fridge/freezer, dishwasher, oven, microwave). Basic provisions are supplied, and there's a supermarket 15 minutes walk away.
Bakoven House (4br)
There's also a separate 4-bedroom villa, Houghton Hues, set the other end of Camps Bay just back from Bakoven Beach. We're yet to see it but the photos look stunning: airy living spaces, whitewashed beams, trendy beach hut vibe.
3 double bedrooms in the main house, plus an additional double in the attached garden cottage, make this a fantastic choice for a big family or a group of friends. The house wraps around a decked garden and pool area with views of the sea, perfect for barbecue dinners and easy-going evenings after busy days exploring Camps Bay.
Kids
Children are welcome in all of the properties. Extra beds and travel cots can be provided and a clip-on travel highchair is available (a sturdier highchair and a larger wooden cot can be hired at a reasonable rate if needed).
Best for:
All ages
Family friendly accommodation:
The Penthouse would suit a family of 4 as it has 2 bedrooms (1 double and 1 twin), while larger family groups should opt for the Main House, which has 3 double bedrooms and 1 twin (or book the whole thing, sleeping a total of 12). Both are right on the beach making them good for kids. The villas can sleep up to 10 guests each (in double beds only) and are set back from the beach behind a road. Houghton Hues has 4 double bedrooms and is located away from the other properties, above Bakoven beach.
Cots Available, Extra Beds Available
Babysitting:
Babysitting can be arranged with a local agency (Super Sitters).
Baby equipment:
Baby cots and highchairs are available on request.
Remember baby and child equipment may be limited or need pre-booking
For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection
Location
Glen Beach Villas are in or close to Camps Bay, a 15-minute drive from central Cape Town, South Africa.
By Air
The nearest airport is Cape Town International (30km away). It's served by many international and domestic flights.
From the Airport
The owners offer a transfer service from the airport (request when booking), but most guests hire a car (see below).
By Car
For car hire see our car rental recommendations. It's an easy drive (around 1 hour) from the airport to the Glen Beach. Car parking spaces are available at all properties.
Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.
Airports:
- Cape Town International 30.0 km CPT
Other:
- Beach 0.1 km
- Shops 1.0 km
- Restaurant 1.0 km
Our guests' ratings...
Based on 1 independent review from i-escape guests
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