Handpicked for you...

We always seem to arrive at this gorgeous seaside cottage (yes, we’re regulars!) just in time for sundowners. It’s a wise move. We pack a drinks-and-nibbles basket, dash across the road to the footpath that leads to the marine reserve and within minutes, we’re sitting on the rocks, watching the False Bay swells and the dusk rolling in.

Aptly named Blue Waters, the house’s location – about 3km outside Simon’s Town on the Main Road – couldn’t be better. Elevated above the road, it has unparalleled views of the sea – and Fisherman’s Beach, a delightful sandy swimming beach set in a cove, is a stone’s throw away.

The home, an original whaler’s cottage built in the 1920s, is owned by Cape Town creatives, architect Michele Sandilands and industrial designer Roelf Mulder, and has been cleverly renovated to maximise its gorgeous location. A meal around the open-plan kitchen table takes on another dimension with the expanding doors opened to capacity, inviting nature in. But the view really comes into its own from the large deck above the house, which is the perfect place to relax, read or rev it up with friends. And early-morning coffee on the front porch is one of my favourite ways to start the day.

We love the fact that the house is compact enough for our family of four but happily enlarges when we invite friends to join us for a meal or a sleepover. The kitchen is well kitted out and you can barbecue in front of the house, at the back or up at the deck. On our last visit, there was an autumnal nip in the air and we settled down to a hearty Moroccan stew, followed by board games around the cosy fire.

Tastefully decorated, the house perfectly displays the owners’ artistic aesthetic, and several original artworks (including oils by Cha Davenport of the rock pools in front of the house and Roxy Kaczmarek lithographs) and objets add to the lovely, welcoming ambience. Staying here is like experiencing a little slice of paradise. Well, make that a big slice.

What we love!

• The timeless tranquillity and peace that envelop you as you walk in the front door is just the best!
• The wraparound balcony, perfect for sundowners and outdoor dining.
• Being able to pop down to the beach without ever getting in the car.
• The way the serene, contemporary interiors still honour the home’s history.
• The range of outdoor spaces that lets us choose the perfect spot according to time of day and the angle of the sun!

What you need to know…

• Simon’s Town is under 50km (about 50 minutes) from Cape Town’s city centre.
• The African penguin colony at Boulder’s Beach is a 10-minute stroll away.
• There are loads of great restaurants, antiques shops and boutique stores to keep you entertained in the village of Simon’s Town.
• Blue Waters is just 22km from Cape Point.
• Parents with small children please note there are unsecured drops at the back of the property, however it is simple to keep these areas closed off.  At the front there are some drops secured by a low wall. These are not terribly high but parents must please remain vigilant.

Reviewed by Sharon Sorour-Morris