The Tarragon

Rooms

Each cottage is different in size and outlook, though all have the same stylish finish and brilliantly stocked kitchens. This makes them perfect for travelling with kids or as a large group that needs a bit more space. Two of the cottages also make great little hideaways for couples.

The Flemings’ property developer past is evident - they renovated the existing properties by keeping the basic layout of the sandstone-clad cottages, but adding floor-to-ceiling sliding doors to let in the fresh mountain air, luxurious and practical bathrooms and individual touches of art work and soft furnishings that work well against the simple natural materials. There are fresh local flowers throughout, CD players, TV and DVD players, free WiFi, games, magazines and books. If you are travelling with a baby you’ll arrive to find a cot, bedding and toys - there are even bowls, beakers and cutlery for toddlers.

Angelica (sleeps 6) is by far the best (and most expensive cottage) with an enormous private terrace with great views. It has 3 double bedrooms (including 1 twin), 2 of which have doors onto the terrace. There are 2 bathrooms - an ensuite with a large, romantic sunken bathtub, and another which is finished in travertine. The spacious open-plan living area has black slating, a wood burner, underfloor heating and a solid oak dining table. Large sliding doors open onto the elevated terrace where you can eat alfresco, marvelling at the valley views.

Thyme (sleeps 6) is similarly furnished, but here all the bedrooms have ensuite slate bathrooms. The lounge/dining area is spacious and comfortable, with funky wall hangings. It opens directly on to your outdoor terrace overlooking the gardens, the pool and the valley beyond, (as does 1 of the bedrooms). The other 2 bedrooms have independent entrances so this cottage is not really suitable for those with younger children, but it’s great for friends or teenagers. Thyme is closed during low season.

Ivy (sleeps 4) is a smaller version with 2 ensuite bedrooms and an open-plan slate kitchen and lounge; perfect for a small family. It's very private with mountain views from the living room.

Jasmine and Saffron (both sleep 2) are 1-double-bedroomed cottages (which can be made up as twins) with a lounge, a separate kitchen, an ensuite slate bathroom, and views of the koi pond / gardens and pool respectively. We’d recommend these for couples.

Features include:

• Hairdryer
• Minibar
• Safe box
• Washing machine
• WiFi

Eating

In your cottage you'll find tea, coffee, sugar and fresh milk, as well as a bottle of wine and at the end of the season a plethora of products left by former guests! All cottages have fully-equipped kitchens with gleaming marble surfaces, a Bosch dishwasher, a microwave, a hob and a fridge, as well as designer kettles and toasters and all the kitchen utensils you could possibly need. There's an outdoor dining area and a small braai, plus a large communal braai spot, with a great view of the valley.

Hout Bay has a Woolworths (the equivalent of M&S in the UK), a Pick 'n' Pay (general groceries) and a Spar - closest to the cottages and more of a deli than supermarket with locally made bread, cakes, jams and chutneys and a great fruit and vegetable section. If you don’t feel like cooking, then most of the local restaurants do deliveries including the spicy Wang Thai in Constantia. Mark and Julia can give you details and directions for all the restaurants and shops mentioned here.

Cape Town (15km / 20 minutes’ drive) has a fantastic variety of restaurants and we never fail to be amazed by their value for money. For fresh, creative sushi, head to ultra-trendy Tank in the Malay quarter, then take a post-lunch wander around the shops.

Hout Bay (5-10 minutes) also has its fair share of good eateries, though these are more laidback and less sophisticated than those in central Cape Town. For a sunny afternoon, a hugely popular lunch spot is Dunes, right on the beach, where an enormous plate of fresh calamari, salad and fries will set you back around a fiver. It's a hit with locals and tourists alike, and if you decide to go on a weekend, go early (12pm) or be prepared to queue (no advance bookings). Very family friendly, it even has a small playground.

Just a 10-minute drive from The Tarragon, a picnic at one of the local vineyards is a great way to sample the local wines. We recommend Buitenwerwachting, where you sit in dappled shade under imposing African oaks, nibbling a homemade picnic and sipping their signature white, the famous Buiten Blanc.

Features include:

• Barbecue
• Dishwasher
• Fridge
• Full kitchen
• Kids' meals
• Microwave
• Oven

Activities

• Chapman’s Peak Drive is an absolute must, as essential as the obligatory jaunt up Table Mountain. Cut into a sheer rock face it’s hard to imagine how they even began to build it and the view of the coastline, Hout Bay, the Table Mountain range and Chapman’s Peak itself are truly awesome. Go at sunset for the added wow factor, packing a Cape Pinotage and rug in the boot for a sundowner with a difference
  
  
• An early morning stroll on nearby Llandudno Beach will illustrate why hundreds of film crews and models flock to Cape Town each year for various shoots. The light is stunning and the backdrop almost too perfect to be real. At sunrise you’ll catch a bikini shoot in full swing, but the rest of the beach will be yours for a peaceful walk before breakfast
  
  
• Victoria Road is Cape Town’s own Miami SoBe. Take a seat at one of the strip’s numerous bars at sunset (we recommend the long-standing Eclipse) and count the Gucci shades and sixpacks as they sashay past. As the sun sets, glance behind and watch the rays light up the Twelve Apostles mountain range
  
  
• A trip to the local township is well worth the effort and a real eye-opener. We’d recommend an organised tour at Imizamu Yethu in Hout Bay, where all The Tarragon's staff live; chat to residents, visit a “shebeen” (drinking den) and play with the local kids
  
  
• Declared a UNESCO World Heritage site, Robben Island is where former president Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for more than 2 decades

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Birdwatching
• Fishing
• Golf
• Hiking
• Horse riding
• Kayaking
• Plantlife / flora
• Sailing
• Shopping / markets
• Surfing
• Swimming
• Whale watching
• Windsurfing
• Wine tasting
• Yoga

Best Time to go

Our Top Tips

Location

The Tarragon is in the upper slopes of Hout Bay valley, just outside of Cape Town, South Africa. It's about 2km from the beach and the shopping centre.

By Air
Fly into Cape Town International (30km). Click on the links below for a list of airlines.

From the Airport
The cottages are only 30 minutes away. You can take a taxi (see Rates) or hire a car.

By Car
For car hire, see our car rental recommendations. The Tarragon has secure off-street parking.

Detailed directions will be provided when the booking is confirmed.

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