Hout Bay is a famously beautiful Western Cape republic found in the Mother City. It offers a host of quaint, yet charming restaurants, cosy cafes and bakeries, exciting family-friendly experiences (think: the much loved Constantia Wine Route, Chapman’s Peak Drive, Word of Birds, Earthworx, vibe-y Bay Harbour Market and of course, the iconic Hout Bay harbour and its surrounds). Not to mention its incredible mountain- and coastal-scenery that easily rivals any place on our glorious green earth!
With a slew of world-class beaches and top South African attractions at your fingertips (and within close driving distance), there is no shortage of fun experiences to be had in delightful Hout Bay.
Hout Bay is one of my favourite places to explore in Cape Town. Sadly, I have more often than not merely driven through this charming seaside suburb. That finally changed thanks to DK Villas and their stunning Harbour View apartment, when our little family enjoyed an incredible two-night stay. In this post, I share the highlights from our soothing self-catering stay at DK Villas’ luxurious, gorgeous three-bedroom Harbour View apartment.
Harbour View: Where Quality Meets Impeccable Attention-to-Detail
From the moment we stepped into the apartment, the sense of refined luxury was as tangible as it was visible. Indeed, DK Villas’ Harbour View is a masterclass in South Africa’s self-catering excellence.
This second-story space, centrally located in a secure complex along Hout Bay’s bustling Main Road, is beautifully renovated and it features the highest quality furniture, decor and high-end appliances.
One thing that immediately stood out to us was how spotless the apartment is. Cleanliness is always a top priority for us, especially when travelling with our busy toddler, and this apartment is flawless in every regard.
And every corner of the apartment – from its baby blue open-plan kitchen, with impressive SMEG appliances (which includes a washing machine, dishwasher and tumble dryer for further domestic cleaning respite) to the crisp Egyptian cotton bed linen, soft, quality towels and dressing robes – is pristine.
Quality Family Accommodation with Luxury Creature Comforts and Amazing Scenic Views
Perhaps the apartment’s biggest drawcard is the impressive Hout Bay views that it enjoys. You have a spectacular view across the distant Atlantic Ocean towards the harbour, while also enjoying more mountainous views of Chappies, the Karbonkelberg and The Sentinel.
My favourite place to sit and admire the outdoor scenery, especially in the otherwise rainy, cold weather during our late autumn stay, was the enclosed porch. It adds an extra level of cosiness and practicality to this apartment.
Watching the twinkling harbour lights at nightfall mesmerised us all. Even our toddler seemed utterly spellbound by the delicate night-time beauty. (Our little one also had a blast exploring the floor-to-ceiling glass-fronted, indoor porch, which is one of the apartment’s most child-friendly spots.)
Happily, DK Villas Harbour View is family-friendly accommodation. It sleeps up to six guests, including children.
For little ones, a camp cot and bedding are provided upon request, while older children can sleep in one of the three bedrooms as needed.
It is also worth noting that their other Hout Bay property, The Boardwalk apartment, is also child-friendly.
This makes DK Villas an excellent option for anyone looking for a touch of luxury and convenience when visiting Hout Bay. (They also have a one-bedroom Riverview apartment in Hout Bay. Regrettably, it is not child-friendly as it only sleeps a maximum of two guests.)
A Functional, Yet Stylish Family Favourite
While the Harbour View apartment is undeniably stylish, it is also incredibly functional. Its spacious layout makes it easy to settle in and the complex’s small, yet handy lift is a welcome convenience for carrying your luggage up and down.
Please note: The lift can only hold a maximum of three people at once. Also, children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult at all times when in the lift.
If you prefer to take the stairs, there are several flights up to this second-floor apartment.
Harbour View offers its guests three beautifully appointed bedrooms, each with their own lovely views and refined, yet still comfy furnishings.
The apartment, meanwhile, has two beautiful bathrooms.
The main bathroom is en-suite to the master bedroom and equipped with a leisurely shower/bath, toilet and double-basin setup.
While the other smaller bathroom is semi-en-suite to the second bedroom. It offers a large shower, single basin and toilet.
The last bedroom is closest to the front door. It offers quick access to the outside, as well as to the vast open-plan kitchen and lounge area. It also enjoys some pretty views of the complex garden below.
There is no air-conditioning in the apartment but there are multiple fans, with both hot and cold settings. These work perfectly to cool down or warm up the spacious apartment.
Heartfelt, Knowledgeable Local Hosts
What truly elevates this stay from ‘great’ to ‘sublime’ is the level of hospitality you enjoy here. The delightful hosts, Johann and Petra, are Hout Bay locals, who are truly amazing in every regard.
Their hospitality warmth, professionalism and Cape Town knowledge is impeccable and they add little personal touches that really count.
But perhaps their standout hospitality trait is their passion for what they do. It is evident in every detail of the apartment, as much as in the special, dedicated manner in which they receive, look after and ultimately, see off their guests.
I spent some time paging through their guest book and it is filled with glowing, heartfelt reviews from travellers all over the world.
It is clear that their warmth and local charm leaves a lasting impression on everyone who stays at their Harbour View apartment. They were so gracious in hosting us and their keen attention-to-detail ensures that you feel cared for from check-in to check-out – and indeed, every moment in between!
Apartment Amenities
The apartment offers the following amenities, to name only a few:
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- Fast, complimentary Wi-Fi available across the whole apartment
- Open-plan kitchen and lounge with comfortable seating and a dining table
- Electric blankets for the beds
- Complimentary coffee, tea, milk pods, South African rusks and sugar/honey supplies
- Fully equipped kitchen, with kettle, toaster, microwave and stove-oven, as well as full cooking equipment, dishcloths and dinner- and glass-ware
- A gorgeous en-suite bathroom and a semi-en-suite bathroom
- A cosy enclosed porch with various seating options and beautiful views
- Camp cot and baby bedding provided for little ones (upon request)
- High quality towels, bedding, beach towels and dressing robes
- Hair dryer
- DStv package and massive flat screen TV
- 24-hour security within the safe complex
- Two secure underground parking bays for the apartment’s guests
- Weekly cleaning service is provided for stays longer than six (6) days. Alternatively, a cleaning service can be requested for an additional fee during your stay.
Restaurant, Bar or Pub On-site?
No, there are no restaurants, pubs or bars on-site but there are some lovely spots within walking- and driving-distance. Although generally, guests are advised to avoid walking after dusk for safety reasons.
Some places we tried and loved in Hout Bay and nearby surrounds that I can personally recommend trying include: The Sentinel Cafe near the beach, Ice Dream (they are literally across the road and serve authentic Italian gelato), The Deli Social, South Yeaster Bakery, Greek-inspired Nostos, The Collective Cafe, The Lookout and a bit further afield (but well worth an afternoon drive), Amouthful coffee truck near Llandudno beach or the Constantia Glen or Groot Constantia wine farms.
If you fancy a little road trip during your stay, other attractions nearby include: Chappies, amazing nearby beaches (spanning from Clifton to Muizenberg), Cape Point and the Cape of Good Hope National Park, the Constantia Wine Valley, Newlands Forest, Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden and of course, Cape Town CBD, Table Mountain and V&A Waterfront.
On-site Spa?
No, there is no on-site spa facility at DK Villas. There are, however, some good spas in the immediate region.
Family-friendly?
Yes, this apartment is happily family-friendly. Johann and Petra welcome old and young alike!
For young children, a camp cot can be provided, while older children can sleep in the two extra double beds. (Note: The main bedroom has a queen-sized bed.)
Please just note that children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult when using the small complex lift.
Pet-friendly?
No, regrettably pets are not allowed at any of DK Villas apartments.
Budget-friendly?
It is on the slightly higher end of accommodation pricing for locals. But the stay is world-class and the apartment remains excellent value-for-money, even for South African residents. (As a bonus, you can also stay with friends or family and split the costs.)
Outdoor Facilities
The safe, secure complex has a small garden area on the ground floor (just avoid private garden spaces, please) and this apartment offers two secure, underground parking bays.
Please note: You cannot walk through the main entrance gate. Please rather use the smaller gate off to the side to avoid incurring a R250 fine from the complex management.
Event, Wedding or Conference Facilities:
No, although there are some great wedding venues and conference facilities in the Hout Bay area.
Two of the more famous wedding venues are Suikerbossie Restaurant and Estate and Game of Thrones-eqsue Lichtenstein Castle.
Location, Location:
DK Villas – Harbour View apartment is wonderfully central. It is situated on Main Road, Hout Bay and is within walking- and driving-distance of a host of our favourite restaurants, shops and other local attractions, as mentioned above.
Website for More Information:
You can also check out their Facebook, Instagram or YouTube for more information.
Also, keep an eye on their website and socials as they often run great accommodation specials!
Booking Link:
To book your DK Villas stay, please see here.
Alternatively, please contact DK Villas directly.
Contact Details:
+27 (082) 922 0775, info@dkvillas.co.za
Hosted or Fully Paying:
We were kindly hosted by DK Villas for our two-night stay at their Harbour View apartment. But, as always, all opinions are entirely my own.
What’s more, Johann and Petra treated us as normal guests, which meant we followed the usual check-in process and received the standard guest correspondence and complimentary 15% discount for future stays (valid for two years from the date of issue).
One of the correspondence highlights before our stay was the detailed, beautiful PDF with Hout Bay recommendations and other need-to-know info that DK Villas sent us. (They also provide plenty of tourist guides and books on local attractions and restaurants in the apartment itself.)
If you are still stuck on travel ideas or which restaurants in the general region to savour, don’t hesitate to ask Johann directly!
How It Rated:
It was an entirely luxurious, peaceful stay. In fact, it ranks as one of my best blog stays to date!
I can highly recommend DK Villas’ apartments to both locals and international guests alike.
I have no notes for our hosts, except to say that the accommodation and service they provide at Harbour View is amazing in every sense. Keep up the stellar work! 🙂
In Closing
Thank you so much to Johann and Petra of DK Villas for our glorious, pristine stay.
About the Author
Great review! I loved how you shared your personal experience while covering all the important details about the stay. The photos are beautiful and the article is really helpful for anyone planning a trip to Hout Bay. Thanks for the great recommendation!
Thanks so much, Nathalie! Appreciate the kind feedback and so happy you found the review helpful. 🙂