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In the glittery world of commercial tourism, St James is a closely guarded secret, a unique 200 metre strip of land between Kalk Bay (recently voted one of the trendiest seaside villages in the world) and the wider shores of Muizenberg.
It lies within an amphitheater of sea and mountain and it is not by mistake that many old Cape families chose it as a place to live, encouraged by its lack of wind. St James is a class act combining colonial houses designed by Sir Herbert Baker and brightly coloured Victorian bathing boxes, with one of the oldest working fishing harbours. Although it started off as a surfing destination it is now known for the natural rock pools, lit with anemones and marine life that give the place a trademark quality in an environmentally endangered world.
The great thing about St James is, that unlike many seaside retreats, it is really part of greater Cape Town and within easy reach of Constantia and even Stellenbosch vineyards. Its restaurants, ranging from the famously affordable Kalky’s with fried fish straight from the sea, to fine dining Harbour House are world class. However, it also provides for a tranquil aloofness from the hoi polloi. A friend who lives on Jacob’s Ladder says, “I can just dip into any activity I want. There are great art galleries in Kalk Bay, lots of antique shops to browse in and unique rock pools. But the best is, I can then retire to peace and reclusion at home.”
Whale Bay lies at the top of the stairway which, with its biblical name of Jacob’s Ladder, really are steps from earth to heaven. The house with its 360 degree view over False Bay, lies above terraced gardens and on any afternoon you might see the stirrings of Southern Right Whales breaching and lob tailing.
The architecture is super styled for aesthetics and comfort, lofty and perfectly appointed, with a lot of scope for individual taste. It provides a cool contemporary haven with a lush repository of comfortable beds and sofas, and is illuminated with some stirring pieces of art (the owner is an artist). Even in the middle of the season on a starlit night with only the trademark croak of the Western Leopard Toad and the soft-breeze rustle of leaves, you might be in the middle of nowhere.
What we love!
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Based on 3 reviews
Guest reviews are written by our customers after their stay at Whale Bay.
The house was a delight - design, so that one can see an amazing view through almost every window, was a winner. Proximity to the beach and those stairs for a fantastic run too. And the pool! Absolutely divine. As former capetonians from the Atlantic Seaboard side, the idea was to stay to explore the delightful Kalk Bay more from this perfectly placed home; however, we could barely leave and found ourselves buying food and making it in the fab kitchen, having dinner by candlelight watching that amazing view with the lights all off (forced on us on night 1 by loadshedding, by choice night 3!) One awkward thing was the inability to have the main bedroom private. The louvre doors don’t allow for even a private conversation in the main bedroom - something to consider closing up a bit more. I can’t rave about this place enough. Just gorgeous. Wonderful holiday home.
Thank you for a very comfortable stay in a contemporary and tasteful home superbly located with views of the entire bay. The proximity to village and wine farms was ideal!
We were blown away with the views and artistically decorated home! All the comforts you could wish for- we will be back!
R6500 - R14000 per night