From Cape Town Magazine
Long gone are the days when your holiday accommodation was merely a place to rest your weary head in between fun-filled activities. Nowadays your lodging can be as much of an event as, say, a scenic hike or trip to a wine farm. And what better way to populate your social media feed with images that make you look ‘unique’, ‘different’ and ‘cool’ than by staying at an unusual, awesome or quirky getaway spot in or around Cape Town.
Cape Town (Photo from Cape Town Magazine)
This is where we come in. We know that one of the most important travel decisions you will ever make is choosing a place to stay, which is why we have selected 10 of the coolest and downright awesome places to stay in Cape Town and surrounding areas. We’re talking caves, 18th-century style hotels and carriages, tree houses, tents and other interesting choices.
Oh, you’re welcome.
10 AWESOME AND UNUSUAL PLACES TO STAY IN CAPE TOWN AND SURROUNDS
Dutch Manor House in Cape Town
Whoever said time travel is a figment of one’s imagination has clearly not been to the Dutch Manor Antique Hotel in the Cape Town CBD. Dating back to 1812, the establishment offers a traditional style of the hotel experience. We’re talking uniquely decorated rooms fitted with the finest antique furnishings and fittings: think yellowwood and stinkwood half moon tables, gilded mirrors, four poster beds and more. Guests are also in for a rather ‘royal’ treat as beds are luxuriously covered in 100% Egyptian percale cotton. To top it all off, due to its rustic and historic nature, the Dutch Manor has been dubbed the ideal spot for classical and romantic shoots by film and production companies – so who knows, one’s stay could lead to seeing, first hand, how film comes to life. What’s more, the hotel’s location lends itself to guests being able to explore just what the CBD has to offer – from bars and restaurants, a stay at the Dutch Manor is jam-packed with possibility. .
158 Buitengracht | Bo-Kaap | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 422 4767
Kagga Kamma Nature Reserve
Attaching the ‘one-of-a-kind’ tag to Kagga Kamma may well be a bit of an understatement. From sleeping under the stars or in a cave room to discovering rock art and Khoi San paintings on a cultural tour, Kagga Kamma offers more than just a roof over your head. Nestled in the Cederberg area (about 300km outside of Cape Town) where untouched Karoo-like wilderness and beautiful and rare flowers bloom, the lodge offers the chance for guests to sleep in truly unique surroundings For starters, the Bushman Lodge boasts five spacious en-suite, thatched rondavels and ten unique cave suites that are built into the sandstone rock formations. What’s more, beautiful rock art can be seen from these caves. The other winner is the Outcrop Open Air Room, which is pretty much what the name suggests: a luxury suite that allows visitors to sleep under the star-lit skies, which is perfect for a truly unique romantic getaway. Not to mention,Kamma Kagga offers spa treatment facilities as well as some outdoor activities (guided 4×4 and quad bike safaris, hiking trails and star gazing) making it perfect for a well-rounded weekend away.
Kagga Kamma | Ceres | Western Cape | +27 (0)21 872 4343
Band Wagon Cape Town Carriage Company Experience
Offering quite a timeless experience, the Cape Town Carriage Company specialises in giving travellers guided tours across different parts of the Western Cape. Led by qualified trail guides, one gets to travel through the scenic Overberg region in a replica band wagon pulled by two horses (don’t worry, the horses get regular water breaks) feeding into the ‘authentic’ style of how people used to travel. The two to four day trek begins in Stanford and makes its way to the final destination, Sandy’s Glen where adventurers get to cook under a fire and sleep either in the wagon (which sleeps two adults) or in a tent, or under the skies. The campsite is fully equipped and guests can swim in lagoons, spot birds, and do other exciting things before they make their way back to Stanford.The Cape Town Carriage Company recommends light luggage (as baggage is moved daily) in order for the trip to be as authentic as possible.
Indicator Lodge | Schaapkraal Road | Ottery | Cape Town | +27 (0)82 575 5669
Overseers Cottage on Table Mountain
Ever wondered what it would feel like to sleep on top of one of the New7Wonders of Nature? Well, look no further than the Overseers Cottage. Perched on the back of Table Mountain, the lodging affords guests spectacular views that go as far as Stellenbosch and False Bay! Sleeping up to 16 people, this hidden cottage is great for a weekend getaway with friends.The fully furnished stone cottage also comes with an outside braai area, a big fireplace, gas heated showers and comfy beds Worried about how to hike all the way up with your luggage? SanParks has got you sorted – you can arrange for a service that will take your luggage to the top so you don’t have to. If you need more convincing as to why sleeping atop the Table Mountain would be spectacular, have a look at some of the cool facts about the famous peak.
Cape Town | Table Mountain | +27(0)21 701 8692
Teniqua Treetops in Sedgefield
What better way to take a break from the fast- paced city life than by arranging a weekend away with nature? Delicately located in the foothills of the ancient Outeniqua Mountains in Sedgefield, Teniqua Treetops comprises eight beautifully handcrafted, self-catering treetop cabins that are placed high up in the canopy of the forest.. This, of course, means that guests get to sleep, eat and shower high up in the gorgeous forest trees. What’s more, tree houses are connected to the Karatara gorge, which is perfect for those wanting to take a dip, and if you’re not too keen on swimming in an actual river, Teniqua has converted farm dams into swimming pools – creating something quite fun for the whole family.
Ruigtevlei turn-off | Sedgefield | Western Cape | +27 (0) 44 356 2868
Read the full article HERE.
