Ebb Tide

Rooms

The apartments have a sleek, modern feel, with private ocean-view terraces and plunge pools off open-plan living, dining and kitchen areas. Huge glass doors slide back to create large indoor/outdoor spaces, and marble, glass and chrome reflect the light. A few carefully chosen artworks and cushions create a minimalist, Euro-chic look.

Bedrooms have glass-walled ensuites in white Italian marble, which include fantastic showers; some have tubs, too. Bathrobes and big fluffy towels are provided, and storage space is abundant if you want to unpack.

The master bedrooms in Apartments 201 and 202 (each sleeping up to 6) are large, sea-facing and almost entirely glass-fronted, showcasing the vistas perfectly; they open onto private balconies where you can gaze at the scenery. The second and third bedrooms (one with a double bed, the other with twin beds pushed together) are smaller and face the side access steps; one opens onto a tiny courtyard. Huge blinds are operated at the touch of a button, and the high-tech lighting, surround sound and air-conditioning are controlled from panels in every room. Each apartment also has an additional toilet off the living area. Of the 2 duplexes, we preferred 202 for its cosier feel and slightly better views.

Apartment 101 is smaller and on one level. The only bedroom (an ensuite double) doesn't face the sea, opening instead onto a petite side-facing balcony. If you need to accommodate an additional guest, there’s a sofabed in the study (it has no ensuite, but there’s a guest bathroom with a shower). It’s closed off from the living area by sandblasted sliding glass panels, which look good but don’t screen light or sound very well.

Features include:

• Air conditioning
• Microwave
• WiFi

Eating

Ebb Tide is entirely self-catering. The kitchens are well equipped, with full ovens and hobs, large fridge/freezers, kettles and toasters, as well as cooking utensils, crockery, cutlery and glassware. There are dishwashers and washing machines, too. All apartments have indoor dining tables and chairs, as well as smaller tables and seating out on the terraces.

Only supplies for tea and coffee are provided, so you’ll need to stock up on groceries, including salt, pepper and oil. Local supermarket Pick’n’Pay is within walking distance, or alternatively Ebb Tide’s manager Elize will take your order and arrange a delivery for you for a small fee.

But chances are you’ll want to try many of the city’s fabulous restaurants. Elize provides guests with a list of recommended options and their contact details, and you’ll be spoilt for choice - Cape Town is well known for being a foodie capital, and eating out is very affordable for overseas visitors. Turn left as you exit Ebb Tide and, after a short stroll towards Bakoven, you’ll come across a small bistro where we had a delicious and healthy breakfast. Or turn right and walk along Victoria Road to Camps Bay’s centre: the cosmopolitan ‘strip’ is no more than 10 minutes away. Here, you can gaze at the beautiful palm-fringed beach and the equally beautiful people as you lunch or dine at one of the many bars and restaurants along the seafront. This is the place to be in summer, so reserve tables in advance if you visit between November and March.

Features include:

• Microwave
• Restaurants nearby

Activities

• Soak up some sun on your terrace, then cool off in your plunge pool
  
• Relax on stunning Camps Bay beach, where chairs are available to hire. But beware: the water is very cold, so swimming is only for the brave!
  
• Enjoy a less crowded beach experience at Beta Beach in Bakoven (a 5-minute walk)
  
• Hop on the clean and efficient MyCitiBus at the stop near Ebb Tide and head into the city centre or to the Sunday craft market at Hout Bay
  
• Take a trip up Table Mountain - the cable car is a short drive away and you can walk back down - or climb the spectacular peak of Lion’s Head to watch the sunset
  
• Shop up a storm at the V&A Waterfront, Cape Quarter or trendy Kloof Street
  
• Visit the Oranjezicht City Farm Market at Granger Bay on a Saturday morning to stock up on organic produce
  
• Go hipster-spotting and art-hunting in the up-and-coming Woodstock Design District
  
• Visit Robben Island and see where Nelson Mandela and many other anti-apartheid activists were imprisoned for decades
  
• Hop in the car and explore the beautiful Cape Peninsula, including the magnificent Chapman's Peak Drive, the penguins at Boulders Beach and the wave-lashed Cape Point
  
• Hire a driver and head out to Paarl, Stellenbosch, Franschhoek or Constantia for a day of wine tasting and gourmet dining

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Nightlife
• Shopping / markets
• Surfing
• Wine tasting

Kids

No children under 10 are allowed, but if you have older children, this is a good option, with easy beach access, a plunge pool and one twin-bedded room plus 2 doubles.

Best for:

Teens (over 12)

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

Ebb Tide is located on the coast in Camps Bay, an upmarket suburb on Cape Town’s Atlantic seaboard, with the spectacular Twelve Apostles mountain range as its backdrop. It’s a 15-minute drive from the city centre.

By Air:
Cape Town International (30km) is a 30-minute drive away. It’s served by flights from all over the world - click on the links below for more information.

From the Airport
Ebb Tide can arrange transfers (see Rates), but most guests hire a car (see below).

By Car:
Hiring a car is highly recommended. You can get by without one by using taxis and the very efficient MyCitiBus service, but to explore properly you’ll want your own wheels. The roads are good and well signposted - and many of the drives around the Cape Peninsula are spectacular. There’s secure underground parking at Ebb Tide. See our car rental recommendations.

Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.

More on getting to South Africa and getting around