Camps Bay Retreat provides guests with a stunning sanctuary to use as a base for their Cape Town adventure. Situated in the stunning Camps Bay area of Cape Town, the luxury boutique hotel is set on over four acres of lush green nature reserve that encapsulates a natural mountain pool, thickets of indigenous trees and woodland, a waterfall and streams that criss-cross the property. Accommodation ranges from classically elegant rooms and suites in the Earl’s Dyke Manor House with original art deco design, to the contemporary Deck House set back into the tree line, or the sleek and chic modern Villa Rooms and Suites, with breathtaking views of the surrounding natural beauty, the Atlantic Ocean, the majestic Twelve Apostles mountain range, or the sanctuary of the stunning woodland. The estate features 3 swimming pools and a spa with an outdoor nature tent for an unforgettable wellness experience.
Camps Bay Retreat Boutique Hotel, Chilworth Road, Camps Bay, Cape Town, South Africa
Camps Bay is a premier tourist destination on the outskirts of Cape Town and is magnificently situated on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean, at the foot of the Twelve Apostles Mountain range and adjacent to the iconic Table Mountain. Perfectly situated for excursions into Cape Town, Camps Bay allows visitors a beach-front-village environment with all the conveniences of the city being a 15-minute drive away.
The first known residents of Camps Bay were the San and Goringqhaique, who were Khoi pastorates. When Jan van Riebeek established a refreshment station for the Dutch East India Company in the area, these communities lost their grazing lands on the slopes of Table Mountain and in 1657 were restricted to Camps Bay. When the widow of the previous owner of the land remarried a sailor named Ernst von Kamptz, the area became known as “Die Baai van von Kamptz”, over the years this has evolved into the Camps Bay we know today with its stunning beaches and chic cocktail bars.
Guests can access Camps Bay Retreat by car, the drive is around 25km via the N2 from Cape Town International Airport.
- Rooms available in converted art deco manor house
- Soothing treatments available at the spa
- Refreshing outdoor swimming pool
- Tennis courts
- Over 2km of hiking and walking trails around the property
- Library
- Wine cellar
Cape Town benefits from its Mediterranean climate and well-defined seasons and allows for a variety of seasonal activities, but also seasonal produce. The summer months from November to February are warm and dry with high winds which create the perfect environment for sports such as kite surfing, with average lows of 17°C and highs of 24°C.
Much of the rain falls through the winter months of May to August, but with average lows of 10°C and highs of 20°C, the days are still mild. The rainy season brings the natural beauty of Cape Town back to life, rejuvenating the indigenous forests and botanical gardens, and feeding the waterfalls.
Spring brings a vast array of wildflowers, which carpet the dunes, fields, farms and wetlands in an abundance of colour by the indigenous Cape Floral. The best time to see this wondrous spectacle is between September and October.
At the request of the owner of Earl’s Dyke Manor House, the décor and building remain unchanged, and as such, retains its air of classical elegance, decorated with dark wood panelling, antique furnishings and Persian rugs.
The Manor Knacke Suite (Room 1) is the original master suite of the manor house, and is complete with king size four poster bed, and a comfortable seating area with a fireplace for colder evenings; the Manor Knacke Suite offers guests a resplendent hideaway. The Suite has two balconies, an open one to the North provides a sun-filled spot from which to enjoy the mountain views, and to the west, the enclosed balcony allows views of the gardens all the way to the ocean. The Suite is complete with a monochromatic marble ensuite bathroom with a separate shower and bathtub with brass hard wear.
The Manor Ocean Suites (Room 2 and Room 3) feature exposed hardwood flooring and individually sourced Persian rugs. Room 2 has a converted antique twin bed frame which forms a characterful double bed, and an open plan bathroom with a freestanding bathtub and separate shower. The bathroom is separated from the living space by American-style hardwood shutters. Room 2 has West-facing windows which offer guests unbroken views over the rolling green gardens to the ocean.
Room 3 is similarly appointed with west-facing views, but is complete with an enclosed balcony filled with exotic flowering plants. Room 3 is furnished with an antique king-size sleigh bed and the separate lounge boasts an art deco sunburst brick fireplace for colder evenings. The suite has an ensuite marble bathroom with a separate shower and Victorian bathtub.
The Manor House Room (Room 4) houses an antique dark wood double sleigh bed, the furnishings, including the wardrobe and dressing table are also hand-carved dark wood antiques, combined with the rich colour added by the luscious Turkish rugs, the Manor House Room emphasises luxury. The room is complete with a marble ensuite with double sink vanity and a free-standing Victorian bathtub. The room boasts expansive views over the garden and forest, with views of the Twelve Apostles mountain range and Table Mountain.
Regrettably, children cannot be accommodated in the Manor House.
The Nature Rooms & Studios offer guests accommodation with a crisp, modern feel that is contrasted with the wooden decks and close proximity to the forest.
The Nature Wellness Room (Room 5) has a contemporary interior, decorated with white linens and white walls, which accent the woven reed walls and wood furnishings throughout the room. The bedroom has a king-size bed which can be converted into two twin beds, and a daybed or cot can be provided for children. The stunning wood-panelled ensuite bathroom has a woven reed ceiling and a free-standing bathtub. The bathroom has sliding doors which access a private balcony which opens onto the forest. The living area also opens out onto a terrace which allows guests unbroken views over the estate’s gardens down to the ocean.
The Nature Residence (Room 6) has the feel of a modern apartment and offers guests a more independent accommodation compounded by the fully equipped kitchen and guest bathroom. The bedroom has a king-size bed which can be separated into twin beds, and a daybed or cot can be provided for children. The bathroom blends mosaic tiling and hardwood furnishings and provides a separate shower and bathtub. The open plan sitting area has comfortable modish sofas, a fireplace and a flatscreen television, there is also a full dining set for meals prepared in the chic kitchen. The living area opens onto a furnished wooden terrace which offers guests spectacular views over the forest.
The Nature Studios (Room 7 and Room 11) are incredibly sleek and modern, both Studios offer a king-size bed which can be converted into two twin beds, and a daybed or cot can be provided for children. Room 7 has a fully equipped kitchenette and private balcony which offers stunning sea views. The living area opens out onto a furnished wooden terrace which offers views over the gardens, forest and sea.
Room 11 is a more secluded ground-floor studio which affords guests a little more privacy, and a more luxurious ensuite with a free-standing bathtub and double sink vanity. The Studio also has a fully equipped kitchenette.
The Nature Rooms (Room 12 and Room 15) on the ground floor both feature impeccable modern décor, with dark wood furnishings and leather furniture throughout, which contrast with the bright open space. Both rooms are furnished with a kingsized bed which can be converted into two twin beds and have access to a wooden terrace which offers unbroken vistas over the gardens. Room 12 affords guests a large ensuite, with a wood-encased spa bath, and a double vanity set in a dark wood unit. Room 15 contrastingly offers guests an open plan space, with a free-standing bath.
The Nature Pool Studio (Room 14) is the perfect accommodation for families as the open plan space allows room for two cots or daybeds for children, and the large king bed can be separated into two single beds. The spacious studio affords guests a private pool which faces towards the Twelve Apostles mountain range in the South, and a private deck on the North side which gives guests views of Lions Head and the forest which can be accessed from the spacious lounge. The lounge is complete with a flatscreen television, fireplace and open plan dining area. The Nature Pool Studio is decorated throughout in a soothing neutral palette of creams and white, with oak wood furniture breaking up the expansive space.
The Sky Rooms (Room 8, Room 9 and Room 10) all house a king-size bed which can be easily converted into two twin beds if desired and all open up onto individual private decks which offer expansive views over the Twelve Apostle mountain range, Lion’s Head and ocean views and are the perfect space to soak up the sunshine or watch the sunset in the evening. The spacious white rooms are warmed by the addition of exposed red wood flooring, Turkish rugs and natural wood furniture. Each room has a separate enclosed shower and free-standing lip style bathtub.
The spacious Sky Suite (Room 16) comprises three bedrooms and two bathrooms with balconies on either side of the property. Each of the bedrooms opens up onto a private patio which affords views over the estate. The air-conditioned bedrooms offer guests a choice between double, queen or king-size beds and have their own ensuite bathrooms with separate showers and bathtubs, complete with vanity units.
A large lounge is complemented by a fireplace, daybed and a dining room and opens up onto a balcony which presents spectacular views of the forest, Twelve Apostles Mountain Range and the sea. The main living area has large sliding doors on either side, which allows for the revitalising sea breeze to enter the space. The living area houses a flat-screen television, cosy sofas, a fireplace and contemporary dining furniture, a separate terrace can be accessed through the living area which offers sweeping views of the forest and ocean.
The Villa Ocean Rooms (Room 18 and Room 19) are both luxuriously appointed, both bedrooms open onto a shared balcony which affords stunning views of the Twelve Apostles mountain range and the ocean. Both rooms are decorated in a soothing neutral palette with colour accents employed through modish soft furnishings, printed lamp shades and sleek mid-century modern furniture. Both rooms boast a king-size bed, the bed in Room 19 can be converted into two twin beds if desired, and both rooms sleep up to two adults. Both Villa Ocean Rooms have a marble-walled ensuite bathroom with a large shower and single vanity unit.
The Villa Ocean Suite is similarly elegantly decorated, boasting a private balcony with breathtaking views of the Twelve Apostle mountain range and the ocean. The bedroom houses a king-size bed which can be separated into two twin beds. The Villa Ocean Suite is complete with a large white marble ensuite bathroom, which comprises a separate bath and shower, double sink vanity and a walk-in closet for extra storage and added luxury. The Villa Ocean Suite can accommodate up to two adults.
Himitsu, meaning secret in Japanese, is a modern Asian restaurant by the Cheyne Morrisby Restaurant Group. Cheyne and his team have put together a menu consisting of 4 main sections from which guests can choose small plates of food and embark on a culinary journey pathed with the freshest and finest ingredients and taste explosions.
The breakfast menu offers Western favourites such as Eggs Benedict and English fry-ups as well as Eastern delights like Nasi Goreng and Buddah Bowls. Enjoyed with a cup of great coffee or fresh juice and a view of the rolling gardens and the Atlantic Ocean, the scene is set for a great day ahead.
Experience the beauty of the national park with panoramic views from the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway, or hike one of the trails to the top if you’re feeling more adventurous! The Table Mountain National Park is expansive, stretching from the tip of Cape Peninsula all the way to the city of Cape Town, it offers an abundance of activities and stunning experiences for travellers. Visit the Boulder penguin colony, or hike through Tokai Park and experience over 440 different plant species, 110 of which are threatened by extinction or have become extinct in the wider ecosystem.
The Theatre on the Bay was established in the 1980s by the South African stage legend, Pieter Toerien. This intimate 238-seater venue offers a showcase of local talent, including comedians and one-man shows, and has even had West End musicals on their boards, including The Lion King and Beauty and the Beast. Grab a drink from Dietrich’s Bar with the actors after the show, or take one into the theatre with you! The on-site restaurant, Act 1 Theatre Café, serves dinner from a small seasonal menu both before and after the show for guests to grab a bite to eat.
Secure a day pass for the exclusive, and private, Sandy B cocktail venue at the Bay Hotel. Relax on a lounger, while sipping cocktails, and soaking in the glorious views extending towards the horizon. Then, as the sun sets, the music is turned up and you can take transfer your cocktail drinking to the bar as the sun sets over the horizon. Visitors can also order food from the hotel menu, and make use of the hotel kayaks and paddleboards.
Children are welcome at Camps Bay Retreat, but regrettably the Earl’s Dyke Manor House cannot accommodate children.