Cape Town - There’s self-catering holiday accommodation – and there’s Ebb Tide.
There’s Sea Point’s promenade – then there’s Camps Bay’s platinum mile. One is lekker, one is special.
I sometimes tire of hotels and guesthouses – not because there’s anything wrong with them but because I value my privacy, or because I want to slob out from time to time with no fixed agenda. Self-catering is great for that, and Ebb Tide is undoubtedly the most luxurious I’ve experienced.
Designer, doll, designer. I’m talking fashion and furniture shoots. These duplex flats are of the highest quality in both design and finish. They are ultra-modern and spacious with clean, uncluttered lines and a sumptuous sense of sophistication. White on white, glass everywhere (double glazed, of course) and only the very best fixtures. I admit it took me a while to get the Miele coffee station (machine would not do it justice) working, but it was worth it, since only the best beans are supplied.
Outside, with a cuppa, isn’t shabby either as you look directly onto the Atlantic Ocean across the road, one bay removed from the main Camps Bay beachfront, and over Lion’s Head. In the other direction are the Twelve Apostles peaks and the beautiful Chapman’s Peak Drive.
The original owner of Ebb Tide decided to build green because he believes in it, but also to gain a competitive edge. I’m not sure that people renting such luxurious spaces are greenies but it’s nice to know that all the rubbish is recycled and that there are low-flow toilets and water-efficient showers. The building also has an environmentally friendly uninterupted power supply solar power system.
Double glazing reduces traffic noise from Victoria Road below, though guests have been known to be more sensitive to the pounding surf than the traffic.
The rim-flow private pools double up as water features and the sound of water flowing adds to the serenity and calmness of the flats.
I got to experience both the one-bedroomed apartment 101 and the three bedroomed 201 penthouse apartment. Both have really good sound systems, with in-ceiling speakers in the bedroom as well as the living area. Both have one switch which turns off everything when leaving.
The penthouse, however, goes a bit further, with lights that go on and off automatically as you enter and exit areas, plus lighting for every occasion – normal, TV, romantic and party modes. The boy-cum-gadget-freak in me is well impressed. Add motorised blinds, a huge Pierre Cronje dining table, a bar next to the plunge pool and a beautiful chandelier above the staircase and you can understand why I didn’t bother taking a stroll to one of Camps Bays’ designer restaurants, but got cooking instead, with friends from the ‘burbs coming to witness what I was gushing about. Cooking is a pleasure when you have the best tools (once you’ve figured them. out of course).
So is just chilling. Several outing plans succumbed to the allure, the seduction, of this lovely, private and exclusive space with such wonderful amenities and those views, which we enjoyed day and night. Camps Bay village and beach is only 750m from Ebb Tide. The small, hidden beach of Bali Bay is 100m away and my favourite sunset spot, Bakoven, 250m away.
Elize Sewell has managed the apartments from the get-go in 2009, She is beyond gracious and available on the phone if needed, but the very friendly staff are on duty 24 hours. They are attentive yet unobtrusive, courteous and quick to respond. Needless to say security in the access-controlled building is top notch too.
It’s pricey, but for an upmarket luxury experience without the stuffiness of a hotel, this cannot be beaten. Call Elize at 083 719 5735 or visit www.ebbtideapartments.com for a preview.
Adrian Rorvik, Sunday Tribune
First choice
First Car Rental is proud to be the car hire company of choice to drive Sunday Tribune’s Adrian Rorvik to experience the best in luxury lifestyle. He visited Ebb Tide, a gorgeous sea facing apartment overlooking Bali Bay in Camps Bay, with spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean. The one bedroom luxury apartment has top-of-the-range amenities, spacious terraces and its own plunge pool. Experience Camps Bay with First Car Rental. Visit www.firstcarrental.co.za