Balfour Place
Camps Bay, Cape Town, South Africa
A rare find: an affordable 5-bedroom villa in the heart of popular Camps Bay, just 200m from the beach (sleeps up to 10)
In order to generate some interest in his numerous plots of land, a
19th-century landowner announced that gold had been found in Camps
Bay. After an initial flurry of excitement, he failed to sell his
land and it took more than 100 years for property developers and
wealthy local residents to discover the area's golden
opportunities. Today, it’s impossible to imagine how Camps
Bay was overlooked for so long, and it's now one of Cape
Town’s most popular destinations. It never fails to wow, no
matter how many times you’ve visited: a white, palm-lined
beach, the pounding Atlantic surf, impressive views of Lion's Head
and the Twelve Apostle peaks, and a fun, holiday atmosphere that
appeals to locals and tourists alike.
It's all about location, location, location with this 5-bedroom
luxury villa, one of very few self-catering properties so
close to the beach. A sea view in Camps Bay usually means you're
right next to the busy main road or you're way up on the slopes of
the Twelve Apostles. But Balfour Place is uniquely situated on a
quiet no-through-road just off the main drag, meaning no traffic
noise, just awesome views of mountains and ocean, fresh sea air,
and a short stroll to all the action. It's also very private -
there are no passers-by looking in as you sip sundowners on the
pool terrace or one of 2 wraparound balconies. Shame, as it would
be nice to wave back and feel smug.
Reviewed by Emma Taylor
Last updated 23 April 2012
Highs
- The wonderful views of Camps Bay, the Atlantic and Lion's Head
- Loads of space for a couple of families or a group of friends
- Being able to stroll down to the beach for an afternoon of sun and sand, or crawl back from the restaurants after fresh fish and sauvignon blanc
- Thankfully sheltered from the Cape's south-easterly winds
Lows
- Don't expect true designer style or quirky touches - the décor and furnishings are uncluttered and pleasant, but not inspired
- You'll be fighting your friends for the bedrooms on the top floor, which have the best views
- Accommodation prices soar over Christmas in Cape Town, but the hike for Balfour Place is especially steep and there's a 14-night minimum stay during this period
