High end guest house in Cape Town
 

My husband and I will be traveling to South Africa this Christmas. In Cape Town, I am looking for a great guest house with a smashing view - along the lines of Atlantic View (www.atlanticviewcapetown.com) but with a less “involved” host! (This last insight from a friend who stayed there last year.) The Camps Bay area has been recommended, but I am open to suggestions. I am happy to pay 4-5 star prices, but would like comparable ambiance and service.

I did see a recent posting on Cape Town guest houses, and the Craigrownie looks like it fits the bill - but as we will be visiting during peak time, I was hoping for a few more recommendations as many places are booked (my procrastination strikes once again...)

Much thanks! Can't wait to get there!

Try the Ellerman House in Bantry Bay. I have my own condo in the Cape, so I don't stay in these places anymore, but Ellerman House seems to fit your requirements. It is up on a hill, has a smashing view of the sea, and looks fabulous and is very luxurious. You can find some other places at www.portfoliocollection.com.

Camps Bay is beautiful, too, but the Cape is crazy at Christmas so I would advise you to book ASAP as sometimes these places book several months in advance for the holidays.

Finally, I'm sure you'll love Cape Town, and I hope you have a wonderful holiday.

Regards

Hello,

Take a look on www.portfoliocollection.com -- there are a huge range of choices from B&Bs to luxurious boutique hotels.

Kensington Place is a particularly nice boutique hotel in the Tamboerskloof area on the slopes of Table Mountain -- take a look on their website, www.kensingtonplace.co.za

Good luck finding a place you like -- book ASAP as places are filling up fast!

Cheers,
Julian

We stayed at Les Cascades de Bantry Bay - it might meet your needs very nicely.

Unfortunately their website is inop at the moment, don't know about their email address. You can access info (and I presume bookings) through several booking agencies - just google it.

I believe that Les Cascades de Bantry Bay is listen in the Portfolio Collection website.

Let us know what place you finally book.

Leann

Kvm,

Firstly I have to mention that Craigrownie and Kensington do not have sea views so if this is such an important factor these two venues would not suit you.

Secondly when wanting a Cape Town sea view there are two types of view viz ones where you have an overall perspective of sweeping ocean or otherwise a view where you are right on top of the sea and you can hear the waves breaking in front of you. Generally the problem with the latter is that the facility comes with noise because wherever these places are located the main (and very busy) road from Cape Town to Hout Bay intersects the area between the guesthouses or apartments and the sea. Please note this is not always the case and there are places that are virtually on the sea however these are not guesthouses and are apartments to let.

Before I start making recommendations I also want to add that yes you are coming to the party rather late and most of the very best will be booked already however ont give up just yet as their could well be a possibility of other some places that are available.

What I am going to do is make some suggestions to you and break them down into two categories viz. far from the sea with a sweeping view and right on the sea with a possibility of noise.

Let me start by saying that I agree with safarilover when he recommends Ellerman House. http://www.ellerman.co.za/ I feel it is ABSOLUTELY UNBEATABLE but I have to add that the price-tag goes with this. The views are absolutely superb, the service is 7 star and in a nutshell this is where all the stars stay who visit Cape Town. With that said I somehow or other doubt if you will find availability over the festive season as it is well known that Ellerman generally have a number of guests who return annually to the guesthouse and book the whole venue for the family and friends over the festive season.

Les Cascade is also a great guesthouse but the sea view is rather far. With that said the guesthouse is wonderfully appointed and is worth a visit however if a sea view is important I would steer clear of the venue.

Long distance sea-view venues.
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I would recommend that you go take a look at the following websites.

503 Sonnekus
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http://www.capealacarte.com/html/503_Sonnekus.htm
Not a guesthouse but a very well located apartment. Not too noisy as it is on the 5th floor of a rather eyesore type building in Camps Bay.


Atlantic Suites
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http://www.atlanticsuites-campsbay.com/

Fabulous place to stay. Wonderful NON INTRUSIVE hosts. Only two suites so I think availability will be a problem.

Bayview Penthouses
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http://www.bayviewpenthouses.co.za/

The website says it all.

Ezard House
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www.ezardhouse.com

My latest find in Camps Bay. Absolutely fabulous views. magnificent service. Only the best and very highly recommended.

Close to the sea view venues
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I would have started off by telling you about Camps Bay Terrace but unfortunately I know they are already full house for the season so next in line would be:

SeaCliffe apartments
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Not a guesthouse but I have passed on this venue because I see that they have had a cancellation for the period that you want to visit Cape Town.

Fantastic location BUT there are no balconies in the Seacliffe apartments. (I know them well as I live 500 yards away from the block). Views are right in your face seaviews however this also means that many people will be in the area over December sitting on Saunders Beach which is right in front of the building. Bear in mind that this is self catering.

OK kvm when it comes to guesthouses with sea views then the above is the best that I can suggest to you.

There are many places where you could view apartments that are on the sea however it does not seem to me as if you want an apartment in that you speak of staying at a guesthouse.

If self catering apartments interest you then you should go to the following websites:

http://www.bantrybeach.co.za/

http://www.noxrentals.co.za/properties.asp?areaid=1

http://www.bloombergaccommodation.co.za/

Hope that you find accommodation amongst the above if anything suits you that is. If you need any further advise just scream :) on the Fodors board as someone is bound to step up to the plate to help.

Enjoy our great city to the full when you visit us in December.

Very proudly part of the wonderful ((r)) nation of South Africa