Stay between the sea and the mountain in Camps Bay

Four-star accommodation at Ocean View House

Location, location, location...a mantra that both estate agents and people looking for holiday accommodation live by. Understandably so, as you don’t want to spend half your holiday travelling, but what I find equally important is not ending up cramped into a tiny room in the middle of town.

There are many special things about Cape Town, but its natural beauty tops the list. If you want to experience the best of the city; from scenic views, vibrant city life and popular tourist spots, then Ocean View House is ideal.

Under the milkwood trees

This expansive 4000 square metre property overlooks the Atlantic Ocean while the Twelve Apostles stretches behind it. A collection of milkwood trees, that have reached their centenary years ago, give shade to the indigenous garden. The largest of these beautifully gnarled trees is surrounded by a wooden deck complete with loungers, a table and chairs as well as hammocks to relax in.

Guests can enjoy their breakfast here, or in the breakfast room on the terrace next to the solar-heated pool. As well as a large selection of fruit and berries on offer every morning there are hot breakfasts prepared by a qualified chef. Katrin Ludik, whose father started the guesthouse nearly 20 years ago, recommends the Eggs Benedict. Ocean View is a family affair, Katrin’s husband, Lambert Ludik, also plays a role in the business. Both Lambert and Katrin’s father are registered tour guides in the Western Cape and guests can book personalised tours in their Maserati Quattroporte – or as Katrin calls it ‘the boys’ toy’. Light lunches are also on offer so you can laze by the pool on days when you need a rest from sight-seeing. 

Don’t be koi

As well as a natural river that runs down from the mountain through the property there is a beautiful fish pond with running water that is home to a colourful bunch of koi. There used to be more of them, but visits from the resident otters have seen quite a few of them turned into midnight snacks. “It’s like sushi for them,” says Katrin as she tells us the largest one to get eaten was 86 centimetres.

With the faint roar of the ocean mingling with the chirps of the cicadas in the trees it’s easy to forget how close the guesthouse is to central Camps Bay (it’s just 1.5km from the beach and a 15 minute drive to central Cape Town).

The light, sunny rooms are all individually decorated and feature local artists, most notably the large scale wildlife paintings of Ian Van Zyl. Distinctly South African elements are stylishly combined with earthy colours and a modern finish in all of the 17 rooms. Choose a room to fit your needs (and budget), from the two beach themed rooms set in the corner of the garden, to a room overlooking the pool or one of the two Panorama suites with their unbeatable mountain and sea views. You can expect to find all the modern amenities; aircon, free Wi-Fi, flat screen T.Vs with DSTV, secure parking and a turn down service every day.

This four-star guesthouse offers a hotel level of service on a stunning property that gives guests enough space to enjoy the surrounding nature.

Tip: Rent bicycles from Ocean View and pedal down to the beach. They have sarongs and sun hats for sale too.

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