Villa Surprise

A friendly little guesthouse overlooking Camps Bay, one of Cape Town's hippest suburbs

With a name like this, you might wonder what you are letting yourself in for. But we can assure you that the surprises are all positive. First off, the building itself: a modern, glassy house with fantastic views over Camps Bay and up to Table Mountain, and rooms with verandas to savour them from. Next, the 6 themed bedrooms, decorated with the light-hearted touch and careful detail of local artist-owner Rolph Gutzler. Don’t be too surprised to find a fully-mounted movie camera or a pair of gilded crowns as part of your décor.

Come morning, the buffet breakfast is refreshingly simple, the outdoor plunge pool simply refreshing. But the nicest surprises are the room prices, much less than similar hotels in central Cape Town, and only 10 minutes’ drive away. No surprise, then, that Villa Surprise is welcoming back a growing number of repeat guests, mostly young Europeans seeking something fun and funky between the ocean and the city.

Highs

• Clever design ideas and wittily themed rooms
• The beachfront restaurants and shops of Camps Bay at your doorstep
• Reasonably priced rooms, particularly for the area
• Spectacular views of Table Mountain, Lions Head and the ocean

Lows

• There is no air-conditioning in the rooms, however all rooms fans
• Excluding the breakfast room, there are no indoor communal areas
• Only children aged 12 years and over are accepted