Chapmans Peak Drive, Hout Bay 7872, South Africa
Amenities:
Air Conditioning, Airport Transportation, Babysitting, Bar/Lounge, Beach, Beverage Selection, Business Center, Concierge, Dry Cleaning, Family Rooms, Free Breakfast, Free High-Speed Internet, Free Parking, Laundry Service, Meeting Rooms, Non-Smoking, Restaurant, Room Service, Shuttle Bus Service, Suites, Swimming Pool, Wheelchair Access, Wifi
Expert Review
Stunning design and exceptional detail abound at this five-star boutique hotel, but its real magnificence stems from the fact that...
Stunning design and exceptional detail abound at this five-star boutique hotel, but its real magnificence stems from the fact that the entire hotel is situated on a private beach, literally a stone’s throw from the Atlantic Ocean.
Each of the 12 suites is dedicated to a different exotic island, with glass doors that open out onto private decks; you can revel in waves gently breaking against the shore and the entirety of Hout Bay on the horizon. Venture up the winding path to find an exquisite pool surrounded by sumptuous deck chairs, and a lone hammock on the pebbled beach just below offers uninterrupted views and serenity; a small glimpse of what heaven must feel like.
Whilst leaving the room, or the pool for that matter, is a challenge, dinner is a four-course affair that is definitely worth the journey, beginning with exquisite canapés that can be enjoyed on the deck or in the privacy of your room (so you don’t have to leave just yet).
The menu showcases what is fresh and local, allowing the ingredients to do the talking under the refined guidance of executive chef Jeantelle van Staden. Every dish displays a subtle balance of spice and texture; the portions are delicate, but rich, and the plating is beautiful. Service is precise and formal, but also extremely personal.
Returning to the rooms is a sheer delight as the turn down service involves dimmed lights, lit candles throughout the room, port in bespoke glasses and little notes written in shells. They ensure that romance is in the air.
We slept with the doors completely open, blissfully soothed to sleep by the sounds of the sea…to wake to this once again in the morning was just glorious!
Breakfast is as indulgent as dinner with three courses on offer and the same attentiveness from staff and attention to detail at every turn.
The tiers of management and staff ensure that your every need is met; each member as proud as the next to be affiliated with what I would deem to be one of the most exclusive hotels in South Africa, let alone Cape Town. It is a unique experience and one of the most romantic and idyllic places I have ever encountered.
Expert Review
To access the alcove that shelters Tintswalo Atlantic Lodge in Hout Bay, you need to enter through Chapman’s Peak Drive....
To access the alcove that shelters Tintswalo Atlantic Lodge in Hout Bay, you need to enter through Chapman’s Peak Drive. Renowned for breathtaking views of the Atlantic seaboard along a steep and winding path, it sets the scene for drama. Flanking the lodge, the ocean is a constant companion. The waves, sometimes gentle and lapping, at over times needy and forceful, remind one of how close to the natural environment and beauty of the Cape one is.
The lodge is made up of 11 spacious individually appointed suites, all dedicated to an island, and dressed accordingly. Details extend to handcrafted mosaics and the little bars on the bathroom doors of the Robben Island suite — which honors the life of Nelson Mandela.
Constructed from a plasticized material and sturdy Belau wood, Tintswalo Atlantic can in fact ‘pack up and go’, if need be. Situated in the sensitive Table Mountain Nature Park, every effort has been made to ensure the lodge respects the environment and adds to it, but takes very little. Sitting on the balcony of your suite, expect the trunk of a 350-year-old Milkwood tree with its beautiful, gnarled branches to shoot out through the center.
Wi-Fi in the rooms and reception area is free of charge, and though spotty at times, adds to the perks of this quiet retreat – you can work all afternoon, undisturbed. In season, whales can be viewed from the main deck, which has a heated Jacuzzi. The sun deck sports a heated salt pool.
While the lodge has no gym, a daily guided hike through the nature reserve is offered in summer. Free use of an excellent gym in the neighboring village of Hout Bay is also offered to guests.
Service is discreet and unobtrusive and the open-plan kitchen and dining area lend a homely feel. Guests are welcome to pop into the kitchen for an informal cooking class. Emphasis is placed on top-quality ingredients and flavorsome combinations – think comforting Thai butternut soup with crisp coconut flakes, or Moroccan-style grilled beef fillet. Opt for in-room dining, or on the secluded private beach in the warmer months.