Restio River House

This contemporary-chic villa escape on the banks of the Buffels River, not many metres from where it spills out onto Pringle Bay beach, offers the best of both worlds: riverside relaxation and white-sand beaches, with panoramas to the river mouth, ocean and mountains beyond. The stylish interior is jaw-dropping, while the sumptuous setting speaks for itself.

Designed by top South African architects SAOTA been built to make the most of the multifaceted views, and the sun’s path. Floor-to-ceiling glass walls invite the fynbos-clad mountain and sparkling ocean into each living space, morning light floods the lounge area, and the west-facing couches provide a spot to watch the sunset. An internal courtyard is surrounded by wild and indigenous greenery, making for seamless indoor-outdoor flow and relaxed holiday living. And it’s pet-friendly, so there’s no need to leave your four-legged family members at home!

The house sleeps 10 in five bedrooms (you’ll have to draw straws to see who gets the main bedroom upstairs; although all have great views, this one is the plum). Aside from the open-plan living area – a tasteful yet plush space, warmed by two fireplaces – there’s a downstairs games room with table tennis, foosball and pool tables, as well as canoes and SUP boards for exploring the river.

THE LODGINGS

Bedrooms and bathrooms

• 5 bedrooms (two king, two queen and one with twin three-quarter beds)
• 5 bathrooms (four ensuite and one shared; bath and shower)
• Bathroom amenities

Indoor living

• Fully equipped kitchen
• Open-plan living room with two fireplaces
• Spacious dining area
• Complimentary WiFi
• Flat-screen TV with DStv
• Sonos music system
• Automated blinds
• Table tennis
• Pool table
• Foosball table
• Board games

Outdoor living

• Sheltered outdoor seating area
• Gas braai
• Trampoline
• Canoes
• SUP boards

THINGS TO DO

On the property

• SUPing and canoeing on the Buffels River
• Jumping on the trampoline
• Braaiing
• Table tennis, foosball, pool and board games
• Pringle Bay beach (400m away)
• Swimming and nature walks

In the area

• Shops, restaurants and markets in Pringle Bay and Hermanus
• Stony Point Nature Reserve, home to one of the largest successful breeding colonies of African penguins in the world
• Arabella Golf Course
• Harold Porter Botanical Gardens
• Walker Bay Nature Reserve