Country Article / Postcards

Hout Bay Hideaway

Date: 12/01/2003

Dear Reader,

We thought we'd share this with those who like unique places.

While we were searching for a house to buy in Cape Town, we spent a few weeks touring the Western Cape. Our last week was spent in Hout Bay, a very pleasant village 20 minutes from the city center. We're now in contact with real estate agents there, and when we find the right type of house, Hout Bay will be our choice.

We stayed in the Hout Bay Hideaway (contact details below), a charming, 1930s-style European villa with a large garden, and lots of old rugs, antiques, art…and privacy--something we don't usually find in B&B's or Guest Houses.

Next year, we are going to rent the whole villa and return with friends. All suites have a kitchenette filled with wines, champagne, healthy breakfasts, meals of your choice by arrangement, and the best kind of staff--they're there when you need them, but don't bother you.

Our suite had breathtaking sea and mountain views, a large private deck, a DVD player, classical music, satellite TV, and a private fireplace.

For all this, we paid $35 per person.

We've stayed in the most expensive hotels around the world, but this beats them all.

Jan Fisher
For International Living