The elevated freeway bends around the shores of Table Bay and leads up Kloof Nek Road towards Cape Town's iconic mountain. As you climb the slope, the city lies spread out below, with the soaring crags of Lion’s Head and the face of Table Mountain looming ahead. Turning into a leafy side street, you come to a quaint Victorian-style cottage, the striking turquoise exterior and porch alerting you to its pleasingly quirky interior.
Ideal for two couples or a family, the newly-renovated Tamboerskloof Hideaway is within easy walking distance of the heart of Cape Town, yet tucked away in a quiet nook. The cottage presents an eclectic, modern space with wallpaper and carpets in a geometric theme and dashes of turquoise throughout. Chairs, cushions and lampshades in the open-plan dining/lounge area are multi-coloured, creating funky bright interiors that delight the eye. Stepping through the kitchen – done in elegant greys and oranges, with all the mod cons – you come to the back terrace overlooking a garden with the sinuous shape of Signal Hill to your left. This is an ideal spot for al fresco dining or, better still, a traditional South African braai (barbecue). We can’t wait to visit this little gem.
Highs
- It’s in a fashionable safe neighbourhood, a short walk from Kloof Street’s trendy restaurants and bars
- And not far from the city centre, V&A Waterfront, Table Mountain and beaches (all less than 15 mins by taxi)
- You're a stone’s throw from wonderful walking trails on Table Mountain and Lion’s Head
- We like the quirky, eclectic interiors and modern appliances
- A quiet veranda at the back of the cottage for al fresco dining and barbecuing
Lows
- No swimming pool or garden
- The cottage is compact: very well-equipped and everything in its place, but it isn't roomy
- No off-street parking, but there is plenty of free parking on the street
- We’re not overly keen on the safari-themed bedrooms
Best time to go
With Cape Town's mostly mild climate and so much happening in the city, you’re guaranteed a great stay at any time of year. The busiest period is the South African summer (December-March) and this is the best time for the beaches. Come earlier if you’re keen to see whales, and at any time from April-November if you don’t mind the occasional shower (the South African winter is the best time for safari).
Our top tips
Art galleries stay open late on the first Thursday of every month. Amble down the hill to Bree and Loop Streets to see the latest in local art, jewellery and design – and eat at one of the funky food trucks.
- Boutique Cottage
- 2-3 bedrooms
- Self-catering, restaurants nearby
- All ages welcome
- Open all year
- Pool
- Spa Treatments
- Beach Nearby
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Car not necessary
- Parking
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
- Daily Maid Service
- Towels & Bedlinen
Rooms
The spacious main bedroom opens onto a veranda and has a kingsize bed, oak flooring and plenty of light to make this space feel bright and cheerful. The décor is modern, done in an African safari theme with wallpaper and pillow slips featuring the savannah, a leopard motif (complete with leopard-print throw) and foliage-print curtains. It has a modern, ensuite bathroom with a large walk-in shower.
The second bedroom, with views onto Kelvin Street, also has a king bed, which can be set up as a twin, and is done in a black, white and yellow zebra theme with quirky geometric wallpaper. If there are more than four of you, there is a small, spill-over study with a double sofa bed. These two share a good-sized ensuite shower bathroom.
The open-plan living room, with bold contemporary art, geometric turquoise details and matching L-shaped sofa, sits beside the orange and gunmetal kitchen and dedicated dining space. The back patio is perfect for enjoying breakfast or wine in the evenings, or gazing at the city’s cradling mountains while tending your barbecue.
Other useful points to note: there's a laundry room in the basement, and, in the event of load shedding the cottage is fully backed-up for power. Kelvin Street has frequent security patrols and the cottage has an alarm and a security gate.
Features include:
- Air conditioning
- Coffee / tea making
- Hairdryer
- Safe box
- Satellite TV
- Terrace/balcony
- Toiletries
- Tumble dryer
- Washing machine
- WiFi
Eating
The cottage is self-catering and has a full kitchen with top-notch appliances, including a large fridge, oven, microwave, dishwasher and Nespresso machine (pods are provided). It has bar stools and counter and a comfortable living-dining area for your meals, plus a barbecue on the terrace.
Some basics (seasoning, oil, vinegar, cleaning products) will be waiting for you, along with a bottle of wine for booking through i-escape; you can buy groceries round the corner or head to the Gardens shopping centre (2km) for a wider choice.
Eating out in the city is great value for most overseas visitors, and the food quality is excellent. The in-cottage guide book (in English and French) details local information and restaurants. There’s also a good German bakery-cafe just 50m away. Many of Cape Town’s most popular restaurants are on nearby Kloof and Long Streets. The V&A Waterfront (4km) has a shopping mall and plenty of restaurants and bars too. During peak season (December-March), you’ll need to make reservations in advance.
Features include:
- Barbecue
- Coffee maker
- Dishwasher
- Fridge
- Full kitchen
- Hob or stove
- Microwave
- Oven
- Restaurants nearby
- Toaster
Activities
- Hike or take the cable car up Table Mountain, best done in the early morning or late afternoon to catch the golden light from on high
- Go swimming at one of Cape Town’s famous beaches; we love trendy Camps Bay and the adjacent Clifton
- Take a boat ride to Robben Island and see where Nelson Mandela and other political prisoners were incarcerated during the apartheid era
- Explore the colourful Bo Kaap district (you can walk there from The Tamboerskloof Hideaway) and discover its Malay culture, cuisine and history
- On Saturdays and Sundays, don’t miss the Oranjezicht City Farm market in Granger Bay – an organic, foodie, hipster paradise
- Head out to the Winelands for a day of tasting, architectural gems, beautiful scenery and delicious food
- Order a picnic lunch from Liquorice & Lime deli (just around the corner) and head for Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Hiking
- Museums / galleries
- Nightlife
- Shopping / markets
- Swimming
Kids
Families are welcome at The Tamboerskloof Hideaway, which is close to the major sights, but note that there's no swimming pool or garden. A baby cot is available on request.
Best for:
Babies (0-1 years), Children (4-12 years), Teens (over 12)
Family friendly accommodation:
The second bedroom can be configured as a twin, there's also a queen-sized sofa bed in the study.
Cots Available
Kids Activities nearby:
- The “Kloof Nek Park” is 200 meters away with a playground for kids
- All the main Cape Town attractions – cable car to Table Mountain, V&A Waterfront, Camps Bay beaches, Sea Point pool – are within a 4 km circle from the house
Distances:
- Airport: 25 minutes
- Hospital: 2 minutes
- Shops: 1 minute
For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection
Location
The Tamboerskloof Hideaway’s location is one of its big pluses. It’s in a fashionable city suburb, a stone’s throw from trendy Kloof Street and near Long Street, Cape Town’s nightlife hub. Taxis to the V&A Waterfront, Table Mountain and beaches take less than 15 minutes.
By Air:
There are regular flights into Cape Town International Airport (21 km away) from many European cities.
By Car:
It takes less than half an hour to reach Tamboerkloof from the airport in a taxi. You can also hire a car from the airport for more Cape peninsula exploring.
Detailed directions will be sent when you book through i-escape.
Airports:
- Cape Town International Airport 21.0 km CPT
Other:
- Beach 4.6 km
- Shops 0.1 km
- Restaurant 0.2 km