Bonne Esperance Villa

Home to a delightful colony of protected African penguins as well as the country’s largest naval base, Simon’s Town offers many delights to those seeking a laidback seaside escape. There are tucked-away beaches to laze upon, quirky shops to explore, a host of delightful restaurants to sample and – on the sunny slopes that serve as the area’s beautiful backdrop – there’s Bonne Esperance, a lovingly restored historical guest house that’s presided over the area for more than 100 years.

There are three elegant ensuite bedrooms in the main house – think Oregon pine floors, cosy nooks and stately Victorian fireplaces – as well as a shared kitchen, parlour, dining room and deck. The Annex portion of the house contains three lovely self-catering studios, each with its own kitchenette and situated off a large courtyard with a private entrance. Guests also have access to braai facilities, a communal swimming pool, laundry and a cleaning service (on request). Rooms can be booked individually, or the entire main house can be reserved for exclusive use by a larger group or family.

The lovely owners, Nic and Alex, are fully committed to creating a sustainable escape, complete with solar power (so bye-bye load-shedding), a rainwater harvesting system, greywater collection and a strict waste-management process that protects the local baboons.

THE LODGINGS

Bedrooms + bathrooms

• 3 bedrooms with king-size beds and Victorian fireplaces
• 3 ensuite bathrooms (shower only)
• Bathroom amenities

Indoor + outdoor living

• Fully equipped kitchen
• Open-plan living and dining area
• Parlour with a fireplace
• Swimming pool with sun loungers
• Garden and deck
• Braai facilities
• Ocean and mountain views
• Complimentary WiFi

THINGS TO DO

On the property

• Swimming
• Braaiing
• Relaxing by the fire
• Admiring the sea views

In the area

• Historical buildings, museums, antique shops, cafes and restaurants in Simon’s Town
• Various beaches
• Various hikes
• Penguin viewing at Boulder’s beach (a five-minute walk)
• Nearby towns of Scarborough, Kalk Bay, Fish Hoek and Muizenberg
• Cape Point (a 15-minute drive)