The Ocean View Hideaway
Camps Bay, Cape Town, South Africa
Reviewed by
Jo Duxbury
Tumbling from the lower reaches of the Twelve Apostles to the cool blue Atlantic, upmarket Camps Bay is one of Cape Town’s highlights. The palm-fringed beach is known for dramatic sunsets - and for some of the city’s hippest bars and restaurants. If you want all this, but also crave independence and privacy, this 3-bedroom penthouse duplex apartment is the answer. A short, easy walk from all the action, it comes with some of the best views in the area.
Inside, décor is chic and minimalist - the design lets the gorgeous vistas take centre stage - and finishes are good quality. While glass and chrome prevail, light oak and sand-like quartz flooring are a nod to coastal living. It comes with an open-plan living area, fully equipped kitchen and swish marble bathrooms, with sea-view tub plus one of the best showers we’ve ever experienced! Glass doors open onto ocean-facing terraces with a rim-flow plunge pool - an unbeatable spot for lazy alfresco meals. Overall, it's a perfect beach-meets-city hideaway for a group of friends travelling together, or a family with teenage children.
Inside, décor is chic and minimalist - the design lets the gorgeous vistas take centre stage - and finishes are good quality. While glass and chrome prevail, light oak and sand-like quartz flooring are a nod to coastal living. It comes with an open-plan living area, fully equipped kitchen and swish marble bathrooms, with sea-view tub plus one of the best showers we’ve ever experienced! Glass doors open onto ocean-facing terraces with a rim-flow plunge pool - an unbeatable spot for lazy alfresco meals. Overall, it's a perfect beach-meets-city hideaway for a group of friends travelling together, or a family with teenage children.
Highs
- It’s hard to look away from the pretty, ever-changing view of the ocean, Lion’s Head mountain and the rocky coastline
- The walk to Camps Bay beach and restaurants takes under 10 minutes and is flat. There's a supermarket nearby for supplies, too
- Being north-facing, the apartment gets plenty of light but doesn’t face the setting sun directly
- You’re only 15 minutes from central Cape Town (and there’s an efficient bus service if you don’t want to drive), so the city’s highlights are within easy reach
- The manageress Elize is super efficient and knowledgeable - from table reservations to Table Mountain trails
Lows
- Expect some road noise as the street between the apartment and the sea is busy (though double-glazing helps)
- The uncluttered, minimalist décor may feels a little impersonal - a bit like a high-end showroom
- The glass-walled ensuites are beautiful but not very private
- No kids under 10 are accepted
Best time to go
Peak season is over the summer, from November to April. Book as far in advance as you can if you want to stay over the Christmas and New Year period (when there's a 14-night minimum stay), or the UK school holidays in February. April/May is a particularly lovely time in Cape Town - the weather is still warm but the intense summer heat is over, the wind has dropped, queues are shorter and it’s better value. Many restaurants offer fantastic winter specials from May to September.