Imagine having exclusive use to a double-storey historic cottage in one of Cape Town’s most stylish and beautiful enclaves. Outside in the tree-lined streets are coffee stops and restaurants serving spectacular global cuisine. You can browse shops, do yoga or simply stroll around the deeply historic neighbourhood. A nearby park also has fun activities for the children. There’s such an invigorating energy about the area and you’re just a short walk away from virtually anything you may need.
Then step inside Number 151, and you exchange the charm of outside for the soothing serenity of this heritage cottage that’s an ode to calm. You will immediately exhale and dial down a few notches – the neutral, natural décor ensures this, accented only by cool greens, many of which are living plants. For summer, all three bedrooms have air-conditioning, and in winter you can cosy up to the gas fireplace in the living room and watch Netflix while sipping a glass of red wine.
The three bedrooms, sleeping six people, have queen, double and twin beds respectively and all are comfortably en suite. Of course, the kitchen is fully equipped – truly so – and even includes a Nespresso machine. There’s a light-drenched casual work area too and wifi throughout the house for work or pleasure.
What makes Number 151 thoroughly magical though, is the column of light that bathes every room in both sunshine and starlight. This vertical, internal glass courtyard runs through both floors adding enchantment to the space. The raw rock walls and stone accents, bleached wooden furnishings and original wooden flooring with coir matting, sometimes have you pondering if you are actually inside or outside. And that is the very idea: to enjoy the freedom of the natural world in perfect, sunlit comfort.
Do head up – through the electric glass trapdoor – onto the roomy and comfortable rooftop terrace. Enjoy a sundowner, maybe even supper, as you watch the evening light dance across Table Mountain and the surrounding cityscape. It’s simply beautiful and utterly breathtaking.
With its colourfully painted historic cottages and fresh leafy streets, this area is scenic and stylish while also being safe and central. The enclave of De Waterkant is sprinkled with restaurants, cocktail bars and trendy coffee shops.
A small, lifestyle shopping centre ensures all conveniences are within easy reach, and there are clothing boutiques and art galleries to browse. Best of all, you can walk to anywhere you want to be in this thoroughly enchanting neighbourhood – and there’s always a view of iconic Table Mountain. You are also just a hop from the V&A Waterfront and endless other attractions in Cape Town.
De Waterkant is, in truth, a modernised rendition of the Bo-Kaap and lies just next to this same suburb. This is a trendy area that has maintained, and even accentuated, the colourful, bright semi-detached houses - restoring them into fashionable cottages that, together with the cobbled, tree-lined streets and spectacular views, bring to mind New York’s Greenwich Village and London’s Soho.
The De Waterkant Village - now as many as 80 properties within walking distance of restaurants, the Cape Quarter shopping centre and local entertainment - is regarded as a resort-type experience, although this does the charming, character-full village an injustice. The bright, 18th century cottages are given over to guest houses offering authentic ‘local’ living and nestling on the lower slopes of Signal Hill overlooking Table Bay.
The Village of De Waterkant is essentially a business area during the day, where people live, work, lunch and shop, but by night it’s alive with energy and offers some of the city’s best restaurants, wine bars and delis.
NEAR BY ATTRACTIONS
Cape Quarter
Standing out as one of the most stylish shopping centres in the Western Cape, the Cape Quarter in De Waterkant is home to over 100 stylish retail stores and restaurants. The Cape Quarter is home to some of the most exclusive interior and fashion stores, including well-known local and international labels. As it borders the De Waterkant, Cape Town City Bowl, the Cape Quarter is perfectly situated for business breakfasts and lunch meetings. The open-plan piazza suggests a more relaxed and stylish experience in shopping centre dining. In fact, the piazza oozes with contemporary styling and luxurious detailing. Favourite meeting spots include Vanilla, Voila and Lazari, which are all located in favourable spots.
Noon Day Gun
Up on Signal Hill at 12:00 exactly every day, a cannon is fired. Accurate to the nearest millisecond, it booms over the Mother City, Table Mountain in the background, yet never ceases to surprise even long-term Capetonians, and certainly has visitors looking anxious.
Auwal Masjid
The mosque that stands at the top end of Dorp Street, in amongst the brightly painted houses of the Bo-Kaap (almost diagonally behind the Bo-Kaap Museum), is South Africa’s oldest mosque - established in 1794, during the first British occupation of the Cape, by Tuan Guru, the Indonesian prince released from his thirteen years’ prison sentence on Robben Island.
Heritage Square Shopping Mall
The vibrant hub of Heritage Square is aptly named, being situated in the heart of the historical and cultural heart of Cape Town. It is right in the CBD of the city, on the border of the Bo-Kaap, where the Cape Malay community have been based for generations. Today, of course, it is much more multi-faceted and multi-cultural. But, it still tells an intriguing and important story of a massive segment of the modern South African heritage.
Heritage Square is home to a number of boutiques, shops, wineries and restaurants. There is even a gin distillery and a coffee roastery here. Jewellery, crafts and fashion are added to the mix to create a vibey little epicentre of all things delicious and beautiful; just minutes away from the malls, office blocks, and markets of the City Bowl of Cape Town.
Signal Hill
Signal Hill, which connects Kloof Nek to Lion’s Head, in the distinctive shape of a lion’s rump, is one of the most famous spots in Cape Town for sundowners. Views from the 350m high summit are nothing short of spectacular, particularly at night, and and picnic dinners with accompanying drinks is something of a capital pastime.
Bertram House
One of the Iziko stable of museums, Bertram House is the only remaining red brick Georgian style house in Cape Town. Originally built as a residence, the building became a museum when it was restored in 1984. If you are even vaguely interested in vintage interiors, then a visit to Bertram House is for you. The beautifully maintained interior depicts the life and home of a typical wealthy English family in the way they lived in Cape Town at the beginning of the 19th century.
GETTING THERE
From Cape Town International Airport, it will take you approx 30 minutes to drive. Take the N2 motorway and follow signs for Cape Town. After 18km follow M6 to Waterfront and C.T.I.C.C; this highway runs between the harbour and city. The 1st set of traffic lights go straight across - C.T.I.C.C.(Cape Town International Conference Centre) will be on your left and V&A Waterfront is signposted to the right; you are now on Buitengracht Street. Continue on Buitengracht St/M62. Turn right onto Somerset Rd/M61. Turn left onto Napier St. Turn left onto Waterkant St. Destination will be on the right
Uber is readily available and the My Citi bus stop is down the road from the house.
All over Cape Town, you’ll find paid parking structures, free street parking, and in the City Bowl and a few other areas, such as Sea Point, paid street parking. There are no parking meters, so when you see the “pay and display” parking sign, look for the parking attendant – or most likely they’ll find you. Parking is currently under R5 per 15 minutes. In areas where street parking is free, expect to be approached by “car guards,” who ask for a tip in exchange for watching over your car.
Housekeeping included according to the duration of your stay. Please enquire with your host on confirmation.
A private chef can be arranged for daily meals or your specific requirements.
