When it comes to property, location is king. And an unspoilt coastal sanctuary is the holy grail of holiday houses. This particular spot is so pristine in fact that it took the owners of Perivoli Lagoon House two years and a 100-year floodline study to get approval to build, which should give you an idea of how special it is.
And it was worth the wait. Perched on the edge of Kleinriver Lagoon on the southern, quieter side of Hermanus, it’s a pinch-me setting and total nature-lover’s paradise set amidst 140 hectares of fynbos.
Designed in contemporary style to celebrate the scenery, the structure itself is long and low-slung. Lying sleekly in the dunes, its glass stacking doors open wide to give way to unencumbered lagoon and mountain views. An enormous kitted-out entertaining area and a boma in the forest a short walk from the house all point to long days spent enjoying languid lunches then resting back and watching the bird life with the sun on your back. It’s a tonic to wake up to, and an equally blissful way to bid farewell to the day – glass of Hemel en Aarde wine in hand.
Inside, like out, feels natural and flows – while the décor is layered (a tribute to the continent the owners love so much) it’s also inviting and comfortable. Natural textures and tones come together in a sophisticated but easygoing way – and like any good beach house you feel you can put your feet up. Nods to safari – like geometric-print fabrics, carved wooden stools and an elegant take on a director’s chair – amp up the feeling of escape and remind you that despite the deep levels of comfort here, you’re still in Africa.
In contrast to its unspoilt location, the house has all the bells and whistles you could need or want – and feeling at home here is a cinch thanks to thoughtful, high-tech features. From your morning coffee, to playing music on the deck, or sending an email (heaven forbid), all is possible thanks to state of the art appliances, sound system and lightning fast wifi. And if you’re craving an outing, Hermanus is a convenient 30-minute drive away.
But the chances are you won’t want to leave – the appeal of this place is its peaceful removal from the chaos and craziness of city life. Its x-factor is immersion in nature – hiking trails on your doorstep, the use of mountain bikes, kayaks and the run of 18km of perfect beachfront.
The golden thread that runs throughout the space is connection – everything is geared to encourage you to commune with nature, and one another. And it works.
What we love!
- Luxurious touches like the heated rim flow pool and underfloor heating in the bathrooms
- Locally sourced décor, beautiful bathroom products and artisanal pantry items
- The property is available either on a fully inclusive and serviced or self-catering basis
- Smart eco-friendly details (on-site water treatment and eco fireplaces)
- Rooms can be converted from double to twin should you wish
- Your stay gives back to the community – a percentage of the profits get funneled into education and conservation initiatives (such as clearing the land of invasive alien plants and the regeneration of the fynbos).
What you need to know…
- Access to the house is via 10km of dirt road and an SUV is advised
- Self-catering guests can also make use of the chef’s services, with adequate notice given
Reviewed by Julia Freemantle