Sea Five Boutique Hotel
Guest house · Camps Bay
5 Central Dr, Camps Bay, Cape Town, 8040, South Africa
Highlights
Spectacular mountain & sea views, stylish bar, pool & garden
5 Central Dr, Camps Bay, Cape Town, 8040, South Africa Get directions
Spectacular mountain & sea views, stylish bar, pool & garden
5 Central Dr, Camps Bay, Cape Town, 8040, South Africa Get directions
"So, what sets this hotel apart from the rest? Give us all the details.Unlike the Pod Hotel, which is one road back from the beach, Sea Five has an elevated position on the mountainside in Camps Bay, so the views of the ocean and surrounding mountains, including the Twelve Apostles and Lion’s Head, are spectacular. It's an easy 300-meter walk down to the beachfront, and a fairly steep climb on the way back (on a hot summer’s day, a taxi or Uber is recommended). From the outside, it looks like any of the other luxury beach houses in the neighborhood: Unmarked, incognito, high security. The advantage of being on the mountain slope is that you have choice views but no noise from the beachfront restaurants and bars. The upper floors of the building have wide verandas, the lower level leads out onto a fragrant herb garden, rim-flow pool, and terrace for sunbathing and al fresco dining. Airy and light, the mainly white interiors channel the French Riviera or Newport beach. That sounds chic. Who else is staying here?Honeymooners, couples, solo travelers. Now, onto the good stuff: Tell us about your room.My room was one of the rooms on the side of the building, upstairs, with a direct view onto Lion’s Head and the top cable way station on Table Mountain. Facing the mountain, rather than the ocean or road, is quieter, and a balcony runs the full length of the room. You can sleep in summer with the doors wide open, and hear the crash of waves on the beach in the distance. There are seven en-suite rooms in total, with either full-frontal ocean views or mountain and partial sea views. Channeling the French Riviera, they remain firmly grounded in South Africa with whitewashed wooden floors, textured, natural fiber bedding and towels in Provençal ticking stripes by Mungo Design, and generous bathrooms with good lighting and underfloor heating. Anything else that really caught your eye, or earned your appreciation?Aside from the beautiful Mungo Design bed linen and towels (woven in South Africa from natural fibers), the Nespresso coffee machines, TV, AC, underfloor heating in the bathrooms, and generous complimentary mini bar were notable. How about room service, or the dining options, more generally?Breakfast is the only meal served, and it’s a comprehensive spread—a cold buffet of fresh fruits, fruit salad, yogurts, cereals, granola, and freshly baked pastries and breads, and an à la carte menu of cooked breakfast favorites. Throughout the day, light meals are served around the pool, but most guests are out and about on day trips, or will sample one of the restaurants down on the Camps Bay strip or further afield in the city center, Sea Point, or the Waterfront. Noted! Any other services or features you'd like to shout out, or things you think we should know beforehand?Parking is beneath the hotel in an underground parking garage with remote automatic access. The pool is big enough to swim in, rather than just take a dip." - Jane Broughton
"One of South Africa’s top interior designers - Francois du Plessis - has put his stamp on Sea Five with a stimulating mix of cool blue Mediterranean colours and warm African earth tones. The main floor is a large airy space with a sitting area of comfy cream sofas and a smart bar decked with lilies; sliding glass doors lead onto a terrace of wicker chairs and a slender pool. The feel is relaxed, sophisticated and fresh, and the clean, uncluttered lines extend to the 7 rooms above, which include a magnificent 2-bedroom penthouse on the whole second floor with sweeping views of both the mountains behind and the ocean in front. The restaurants and shops of trendy Camps Bay are a short walk away, although the hotel will provide breakfast and can arrange light lunches. Evening sundowners by the bar shouldn’t be missed - the sunsets over the bay are brilliant and it’s a chance to meet the other guests, friendly and young, like Sea Five itself. Highs Location: you're on a peaceful residential street but only minutes from the beach and Camps Bay's restaurants Rooms are lovely and luxurious, and all have a private outdoor terrace with loungers Friendly and professional staff who blend into the background but emerge when you need them Excellent homemade breakfasts The well-stocked and regularly replenished minibar is included in your room rate (beers, wine, spirits, soft drinks and lovely snacks; ask the bar for ice) Lows There are no lifts and lots of stairs The terraces in some rooms can become intensely sun-baked and they don’t have umbrellas Pretty expensive but totally worth the money There isn’t a traditional reception desk like most hotels, but this is in keeping with the chilled ‘beach house’ vibe As discreet as it is elegant, it can be tricky to find so be sure to have the address saved" - Glenda Richards
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