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It’s well-known that the alluring little hamlet of Llandudno and its myriad shades of blue evokes Mediterranean seaside living at its very best. Its innate directive of barefoot strolling and alfresco feasting is the stuff of sweltering, hot summer days leading into nights and long, extended weekends. With its cordial community and secure leafy lanes adjoining pathways that mark the way to the beach, it takes the notion of a quick, city escape almost international. Without the passport.

Perched immediately above a milkwood forest and its enchanting pathways that meet the beach, The Blue House splits itself over three levels of living, entertaining, dining and reclining spaces that all extend out over the ocean. As you enter through the sturdy antique Indian door, the views of the seascape instantly flood the cooking, living and dining level that is one continuous space leading onto an expansive outdoor deck. A downstairs little kitchenette, a cinema room and kids room all lead out to another tiered deck with plenty of comfy recliners that scatter themselves around the heated overflow swimming pool that verges into the ocean. Allowing the atmosphere of the beach’s activities and the waves curling the shoreline to shimmy their way up onto the deck and into your day. Upstairs to the top level where a low-sunken mattress, a fire-pit, some flourishing herb and vegetable patches and a long granite table occupy yet another sweeping deck that is the extension of more ensuite bedrooms – fit for a family of eight.

Each room is serenely simple and liberatingly functional with its space, giving this family hideaway a sense of entirety and separation simultaneously. Soft furnishings set upon the white-washed wooden floors, with the occasional antique objects and ornaments weaving the rooms together in the most unpretentious manner. It’s all about the beachy breeziness in the Cape’s most favoured of coves. Where multigenerational families will gather to unpack their sarongs and suncream, leisurely saunter down to the waves through the almost private walkway, and return to an inviting, familiar space of contained comfort. A hideaway that holds those memories of Mediterranean holidays where the blue waters are an ever-constant filter on each snap. Ice-creams are on the daily menu. Beach sand never quite leaves the crevices of our toes. Billie Holiday and Nina Simone seem to be on repeat throughout the hours of the day. And there’s no telling when you think you might feel the need to pack-up and return to city-dwelling. That’s just a quick cruise around the mountain – should you have to.

What we love!

• The outdoor shower beside the swimming pool for a good rinsing of the salty water as you return from the sea. 
• Taking in the magnificent views from every room of the house. Overlooking the palms and the milkwoods, and out to the ocean.
• It’s access to the beach that is only a minute’s walk away. Early morning and evening walks are a wonderful way to start and end each day’s activities.
• The configuration of the home allows for private, quiet spots where you can hang out undisturbed, yet equally be immersed in the family madness as and when you choose. 

What you need to know…

• There is a lovely little kitchenette downstairs, for those multi-generational family holidays or that guest who would prefer a little extra privacy.
• Llandudno is no more than a 20-minute drive from Cape Town, and only 10 minutes to Hout Bay that’s home to every kind of convenience store you’ll need.
• For some fun and frolics visit the Hout Bay Market every Friday, Saturday and Sunday where live music, art, craft, food and fashion is aplenty.
• Take a drive along Chapman’s Peak Drive to the southern part of the Peninsula and stop off at some of the most scenic picnic spots in the world.
• The Constantia Wine region is a 25-minute drive away, towards the Nek of Constantia and through the forest to some of the best grapes in the Cape.

Reviewed by Colleen Ogilvie