Contemporary, minimalistic and flamboyant, The Aven, a luxury coastal escape on Cape Town’s Atlantic Seaboard commands a round of applause upon entry
There’s a reason why the sprawling seaside suburb of Camps Bay has the reputation that it does. For its beautiful stretches of squeaky white beaches, along a coastline of coves, where crashing waves hit granite boulders, creating pockets of salty turquoise paddling pools. Its spectacular views of the mountain’s apostles and craggy lion’s head. Its grand promenade of restaurants, boutiques, cocktail bars and cafés. Its architectural opulence carved from the winding coastal roads.
Arguably the proverbial holiday hotspot for a blingy-beach getaway, Camps Bay will always deliver on every front. It’s a destination unto itself.
Whatever the weather, the ocean will draw you out with its eternal tide, the vastness of the skies will draw you up to the top of the mountain, and the sounds of the resident guinea fowl and hadedas will make it all feel so rural.
Down one of those little coastal roads, emerging from a thicket of indigenous hedges, ferns, frangipanis, bottlebrushes and signature palms,
The Aven, a statement by Thomas Geh Architects, soars towards the open skies and out into the moody blue ocean. Undeniably gorgeous, this luxury beachside accommodation cocoons itself from its neighbours, with humble discretion.
Opulent interiors, stunning sea and mountain views
The neutral, open spaces of The Aven’s minimal monochromatic interiors, canvas the stark screed floors and mammoth glass doors and windows, that draw you out to the most breathtaking views of the sea, the nature that surrounds, and the mountain.
Elegantly furnished with all things earthy, and deeply textured in its luxury linens, seagrass rugs, marble and oak, the six ensuite capacious bedrooms – private apartments if you will – are perfectly positioned, optimising the natural light that floods in.
An additional two ensuite bedrooms sit at the top of the villa, with a fully equipped state-of-the-art kitchen and entertaining space, plunge pool, and more expansive views. Renowned for being a haven of a boutique hotel, where the communal living spaces and outdoor dining and entertaining areas are aplenty , this child friendly hideaway is idyllic for family holidays, milestone celebrations and intimate weddings.
Whether it be on the silver lakes sun loungers beside the swimming pool, or down on the soft kikuyu lawn in the lower garden, around the dining tables, on the comfy sofas, or from the indulgence of your own balcony, bathtub or bed, the spaces in this self-catering luxury accommodation induce utter calm and escapism. A constant undertone of a perfectly picturesque seaside holiday.
If The Aven is unavailable to book for your dates, browse our other perfect hideaways in Camps Bay
Reviewed by Colleen Ogilvie
Edited by Dawn Kennedy