A truly unique beach house on the shoreline of Llandudno
A bona fide Atlantic Seaboard seaside retreat, tiered into the suburban slopes of Llandudno, Villa Aqua encapsulates those idyllic beach holidays in a revered Cape Town neighbourhood.
At its very core, Villa Aqua is a family home. Emerging from the rich African soil it occupies, sprawling over three levels of voluminous living, dining, reclining and entertaining spaces, revealing its Scandinavian-inspired interiors, this hideaway is entirely down-to-earth. Yet lavishly refined in its essentials.
There’s an ever-constant stimulus that ensues from the home’s surroundings. An equally tranquil and invigorating aura that comes from the way in which the home has been built. A conscious creation of the owners and their chosen architect – Alex Stewart – that ensures the stones removed from the land have been incorporated into the build. The trees shape the walkways and outdoor dining spaces. The lawn rolls as far the football flies, the swimming pool merges with the ocean and the eyes meet the eternal vision of the azure. The use of earthy materials and layers of textures mimic the sentiment of nurturing nature’s narrative. Outside moves in, flowing in a cyclic motion with the light, the ocean air, the whistling leaves from the branches of the trees that cleverly frame so many of the vantage points. As if this home is a mountainous treehouse retreat, planted directly on the shoreline of one the Cape’s most beautiful beaches.
The most alluring attribute of Llandudno is its genuine, all-embracing community. Never mind the magnificent days spent beside the ocean, sunsets and sunrises, walks in nature and almost immediate access to the city centre – this seaside suburb is secure. Brimming with laidback, mostly barefoot, always chirpy residents. You and your beach clan will become overnight members of the community and revel in the cordiality of it all. Five bedrooms and their accompanying bathrooms, expansive open-plan living, cooking, lounging and dining areas. A study and a sauna. TV room, football pitch on the lawn, table tennis and a private gate that leads you onto a footpath, that escorts you directly onto the beach. Passed the low-slung milkwoods and surf club, onto the white sands and into the waves.
Cape Town’s most charming, captivating seaside suburb, dishes up an absolute property delight
When you and the clan are not out wading about in the surf, building castles and picnicking on the sand, Villa Aqua lends itself as that perfect seaside retreat that somehow cocoons you from the crowd, yet exposes you to the magnificent views of the ocean and surrounding landscape, simultaneously. Al fresco dining under the trees around the clock. Hanging out in the mammoth living areas witnessing one member of the clan tend to the cooking whilst the others recline on the loungers. Taking in the views from any angle. A nifty drive to town or Hout Bay or Constantia for a bit of wine tasting. Always returning to the quiet seclusion of your own beach house, that’s as familiar in its form as it is nurturing in its embrace. A place for you to fully revive those healthy holiday habits, of reading, resting, feasting and frolicking in the company of those that love to do it all alongside you. At a very leisurely, African pace.
What we love!
- The property’s perfect location – allowing the warmth of the sun to hit many spots throughout the home, whatever the season. It’s perfectly cocooned from the wind too.
- The home rests in the most prime location, offering access to an amazing surfing beach for experienced surfers. It is also one of the best spots for cold water swimming and sensational sunsets.
- Enjoying a feasting from the flames of the braai – there are two separate outdoor braai areas to cater to the crowds and maximise on the views and lovely garden spaces.
- Relishing the tranquility of the neighbourhood and the pacifying feeling of security. Sitting around the supper tables or sunset spots and listening to the beach-goers below, but always feeling pleasantly secluded from it all too.
- As it is a family home, there are so many activities for the kids to remain occupied during your stay. Aside from the beach activities, there is a beautiful heated swimming pool, soccer goals and table tennis, a TV room and plenty of garden space to cartwheel across.
- Picking herbs from the vegetable and herb garden and the odd lemon from the citrus trees for the day’s menu.
- Taking in the beautiful views from so many areas around the home, overlooking the trees and out to the ocean.
- The kitchen is a great kitchen to cook from. Not only for its state-of-the-art appliances, but for its viewpoint of all of the open areas, always feeling connected to the holiday action.
What you need to know…
- The property is incredibly secure. As is the surrounding area, all nature paths and walkways down to the beach.
- There is a sublime wood-fired sauna with a cool-off room to add to the holiday healing.
- All of the technology of the home – the sound systems etc – are embedded into the walls which makes for a very aesthetically pleasing environment – not a cable in sight.
- There is an abundance of off-street parking space available – at least six large cars to cater for!
- Llandudno is no more than a 20-minute drive from Cape Town, and only 10 minutes to Hout Bay that’s home to every kind convenience store you’ll need.
- For some fun and frolics visit the Hout Bay Market every Friday, Saturday and Sunday where live music, art, craft, food and fashion is aplenty.
- Take a drive along Chapman’s Peak Drive to the southern part of the Peninsula and stop off at some of the most scenic picnic spots in the world.
- The Constantia Wine region is a 25-minute drive away, towards the Nek of Constantia and through the forest to some of the best grapes in the Cape.