Atlantic Marina Luxury Self Catering Holiday Rentals - Atlantic Marina

South Africa Self Catering Holiday Rental

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Cape Town is the crown jewel of all the destinations on offer in South Africa. Whether or not your trip to the Cape forms part of a safari adventure, to participate in sporting events like the Two Oceans or Argus cycle tour, or simply to explore the perfect beaches, wine farms and culture, you’ll need the perfect place to stay. Yes, hotels offer those standard creature comforts, breakfast buffets and turndown service, but what about something more authentic? Why not skip the crowds during peak season and indulge in your own private retreat?

Often more spacious, with more bang-for-your-buck (especially for larger families), self-catering rentals can easily provide the same luxury feel as a hotel, but with more of that homely feel. Living by your own rules can make a holiday feel that much more authentic - cook whatever you want, eat whenever you want, relax on your own private terrace, mingle with your neighbours, or don’t - the choice is yours when you’re not staying in a hotel with hundreds of other tourists.

Luxury Rental

The best way to experience Cape Town is in luxury. Any holiday rental should include the basics: fresh linen and towels, television, and a great kitchen that you really want to spend time in. This experience, however, is totally elevated when the amenities on offer match (if not exceed!) those in your own home. Spoils such as free high-speed wireless internet, air conditioning and underfloor heating (for ultimate climate control), open-plan living, dining and fully-equipped kitchen areas, weekday housekeeping services and balconies with pristine Captonian views combine to make for a magnificent holiday home that can compete with the best 5-star hotels.

Cape Town Condo

Such properties can be found at the V&A Marina Residential estate found in the heart of Cape Town’s Waterfront. Consisting of opulent condominiums, this estate proudly boasts its prime location and round-the-clock security ensuring the utmost safety and privacy of its tenants.

All the splendours the Cape has to offer are at the fingertips of the Waterfront’s visitors. A short walk transports you to the best shopping and dining on offer and a brief drive is all it takes to get to perfect your tan and take a dip in the crystal waters of Cape Town’s beaches. Truthfully, one doesn’t have to travel at all to enjoy a Captonian summer - the estate itself offers rentals with beautiful views of the sea, multiple pools, a gym, and a café for light meals.

Apartments for rent

One-bedroom apartments range from 90 to 120 square metres, all with en-suite bathrooms and equipped with a washing machine, tumble dryer, and dishwasher. These luxury rentals are perfect for couples and are most affordable with prices per night starting at R2,650 (~ $190).

Two-bedroom apartments range from 130 to 170 square metres and comfortably sleep four and are priced from R3,800 (~ $270) per night. Three-bedroom apartments provide ample space for 6 and provide a second bathroom with a bathtub and are very well priced for large families starting at R5,000 (~ $350) per night.

The penthouse suite is the epitome of grandeur offering three bedrooms all with en-suite bathrooms which is perfect for large families, extravagant dinner parties, or just a taste of the good life all for just R8,000 (~ $570) per night.

Book today to secure your perfect summer holiday home.

Accommodation in Cape Town Waterfront

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Cape Town, one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, is not only famous for its vibrant culture, perfect weather and beautiful landscapes, but also for the endless fun to be had on the sandy shores and bustling inner-city. Cape Town’s heart, the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, is where business meets pleasure, the city meets the sea, and the town comes alive. No matter the duration of your stay, the Waterfront is not to be missed with its unlimited shopping possibilities, world-class dining experiences, premier entertainment and breathtaking location.

It then comes as no surprise that the best place to base your trip to Cape Town is within the Waterfront itself. It makes perfect sense - within walking distance from the city, a brief 10-minute drive to the world’s best beaches, and seconds away from the Cape’s entertainment hotspot - staying in the Waterfront gives you insider access to the best of what's on offer.

Self Catering

Whilst Cape Town offers an abundance of flawless hotels in the Waterfront, they don't compare to self-catering accommodation. Although hotels may offer the typical delights of soft robes, breakfast buffets and room service, the increasing number of self-catering rentals shows how tourists are in search of something a bit more personal. Self-catering properties offer the home comforts that hotels simply cannot: cooking the food you want to eat in your own fully equipped kitchen, doing your own washing at no exorbitant extra cost, living by your own schedule, and most importantly maintaining your privacy. Not only does the lack of swarms of other guests interrupting your stay make for a more authentic trip, but self-catering apartments typically are far larger and cheaper than a hotel room. So whether it is the peace of mind that you won’t be fighting with other tourists for the last tanning bed, but instead enjoying your own private terrace, or the fact that you can blend in with the locals and get a taste for the real Captonian lifestyle, you should certainly consider renting a property on your next trip.

Shopping

The Victoria Wharf mall boasts over 450 stores which offer everything from fashion, jewellery, cosmetics and curios, to homeware, leather goods, technology and art. The shopping experience is inclusive of all tastes and budgets which guarantees great retail therapy for all its visitors. But after a long day exploring local and international brands, nothing is more well-deserved than a meal at one of the 80 world-class eateries on offer. For something more casual, the Waterfront Food Market offers a tantalizing street food experience, with over 40 vendors offering delicious treats in various styles inspired by the Cape.

If that's not enough, just up the road is the Cape Quarter Piazza which offers high-end fashion and homeware stores in addition to relaxed eateries and high-end dining.

Near the CBD

Not only is the Waterfront close to other famous attractions like the Two Oceans Aquarium and the Robben Island Museum, but within a 10-minute drive you’ll find yourself in the Central Business District (CBD) - a totally different environment which provides its own assortment of fun. Although the towering skyscrapers are the hub of all things productive in the Cape, many streets offer their own surprises: Bree and Kloof street are perfect for a breakaway lunch or a quick shopping trip, and Long street is where the city goes to party.

Whether the CBD is a necessary destination for business trips, or simply a reason to explore more of what Cape Town has to offer, it is no doubt beneficial to stay close. Check out our wide variety of self-catering rentals in the waterfront which will be perfect for your stay.

V&A Waterfront Attractions

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V&A attractions:

Cape Town Wheel:

Making its first appearance in the city in 2010 and intended as a temporary structure for the South African FIFA World Cup, this popular tourist attraction has since found a permanent home in the V&A. The V&A Waterfront has plenty on offer both day or night, however, we would recommend going around the time of sunset and enjoy the best of both. The Wheel offers a great opportunity to snap some pictures with your camera, with a 360-degree view of the city. Try booking in advance if you can, especially during the summer months when foreigners flock to Cape Town.

Boat cruise:

You will have a host of choices when it comes to this one, as the majority of boats you see floating around the V&A marina offer some kind of cruise. Be it the family-friendly Jolly Roger Pirate Ship, a sunset Champagne Cruise or a day out with the dolphins, you will be sure to find something to your liking. Along the harbour, boat-trip sellers will eagerly attempt to strike up a deal if you’re looking, however as with most attractions during high season, we strongly encourage booking in advance – which is almost always cheaper. The season to visit in Cape Town is obviously summer but if you’re hoping to avoid the crowds, a sunset cruise can be a prime choice during April, when the bright pink sunsets begin to make an appearance.

Food:

You probably don’t need us to tell you that Cape Town is a hub of world-class, reasonably priced food. At the Waterfront, settle in at any of the harbour-side restaurants with a view and order freshly caught fish and seafood, and should you be in the mood, even a delicious cocktail! If fancy restaurants aren’t quite what you’re feeling up to, the Watershed Market is just as appealing. From flatbreads to home-made ice-cream to poke bowls, this warehouse is spacious, safe and filled with a diversity of delicious treats to fill you up.

Aquarium:

A family-friendly outing which the kids will be thrilled about (both before in anticipation, and during!) you can wander through the penguin sanctuary, find a variety of multi-coloured fish, and enjoy the immense shark tank on display. The various experts willing to assist around the Aquarium will happily show you around, including the extensive rock pool display that will give you some amazing local knowledge on South Africa’s coastline.

Robben Island:

The boats which take you to this world-famous island are notorious for breaking down, though the statistically small risk is well worth the trip. The ride is wonderfully scenic, taking around 3.5 hours, and the tour has been expertly curated for foreigners and locals alike. Make sure to take your camera to capture the history of what was once an island for prisoners, as well as the unique view of Cape Town from off-shore.

Day trips from Cape Town:

Not only are attractions close to each other in Cape Town, but many sites worth visiting in the broader Western Cape area are less than two hours away. These are some of our top choices:

Babylonstoren:

About a 40-minute drive from central Cape Town, there are more than enough reasons to visit this sanctuary. Be it for the designed gardens, the maze of giant cacti, the food or the freshly-picked fruit, you will feel as if you are in another world. There are two restaurants to choose from: Babel, for a more decadent feast, and the Greenhouse for tea and refreshments. Both are great and use only the freshest produce sourced nearby. There is also a gorgeous spa, which you can check into for a treatment or for the day.

Note: while this is our personal pick, any wine farms in the area of Stellenbosch are worth a visit.

Hermanus:

Pop into this popular sea-side town a mere hour and a half from Cape Town for fish and chips, quaint and colour shops, and if you got at the right time, whales. Known worldwide as a whale-spotting mecca you will find the small seaside town packed from August to October with locals and foreigners alike, with September being the peak month for viewing. There are also plenty of beaches to relax on, walks to take and secure spots to swim. While the water is cold for locals, it’s a far cry warmer than most European seas - so be daring and take the plunge while visiting this gorgeous destination!

Harold Porter National Botanical Gardens:

Only a one-hour drive, this little sanctuary is the perfect escape from the city. Right on the coast and filled the flora, fuana, pool and waterfalls you really are spoilt for choice. It’s also a garden where you will see an abundance of animals and biodiversity hopping around. Afterwards try popping into one of the quaint seaside restaurants nearby, or if you have time go a little further to Hermanus and enjoy all it has to offer.

A Cape Town Vacation

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Cape Town continues to ride a wave of popularity amongst tourists, particularly in the summer periods, and it is a small wonder as to why. Anyone visiting is presented with a treasure trove of places to stay: the comfort and safety of the V&A Waterfront apartments; Kalk Bay and its early-morning surfs; or the serenity of one of our local wine farms, equipped with cheese, wine and breath-taking mountain views. The beaches, as well as all other worthy attractions, are only a short car ride away. Anything and everything are in close proximity in this city, so you can have your to-do list all ticked off without travelling an hour from your luxury apartment.

Lesser Known Local Secrets:

● Granger Bay Market:

Here you can find fresh, sustainably-sourced produce along with any number of breakfast and lunch options: whether you’re looking for a hearty paella, a classic full breakfast or a stack of healthy pumpkin pancakes, Granger Bay will have something to your taste. The trick is to go on Sunday when it is less busy. Be sure to grab a freshly-squeezed juice and some flowers on your way out!

● The Labia:

Just next to the Mount Nelson Hotel, this boutique cinema spot will make you feel like you’ve gone back in time – in the best possible way. Tickets are cheap and you’re also allowed to bring in your own food and drink, although refreshments are available from the stall and café. We’d highly recommend popping into Unframed Ice-Cream after for some of the best ice-cream you’ll have this year.

● Athletic Club and Social:

The kind-of new kid on the block, this drinks and dinner spot offers something a little different to your standard Cape Town Saturday night. Set a little away from the hustle and bustle of long street, you will find a variety of Mediterranean-inspired dishes, the décor of a speakeasy and drinks which both look and taste delicious. This spot is close enough to the main social hubs around town, however it is just as suited for a cosy dinner date.

● Bakoven Beach:

It’s not Camps Bay, and that’s a perk. Tucked away en route to Llandudno, this little beach is well-equipped: the small cove is perfectly safe for children to splash around, otherwise a swim or paddle a bit further out will present you with the most stunning views of the coast. Remember, you’re on the Atlantic seaboard, so this will be sure to refresh you on a hot summer’s day.

A diversity of Attractions:

● Boulders Beach:

Take a trip out to Simon’s town to swim, tan, read and most importantly, be surrounded by the local penguins. You’ll find them waddling around the beach or splashing in the shallow water – whatever the case they welcome company.

● Lion’s Head:

Experience a full revolution of views during your ascent on this well-travelling and very safe route. If you’re feeling adventurous keep an eye out for one of the hidden caves nestled on the face of the mountain. Sunrise and Sunset are particularly popular, providing one of the best views you’ll see in Cape Town.

● Constantia Glen:

Popular amongst the locals, treat yourself to a wine and cheese tasting on this picturesque wine farm before exploring the vineyards and surrounds.

The V&A Waterfront:

A day or two (or three) exploring the waterfront needs to be done by any first-time visitor. The mall itself is worth the visit if some retail therapy is on the cards, however the real treasures lie outside this building. Wander through the Watershed market any time of day or else have an indulgent lunch overlooking the marina, enjoying freshly-caught fish. Support local artists who often perform at the amphitheatre or even hop onto the Cape Town Eye for an elevated view. If you can, try to catch a boat out at sunset. You’re almost guaranteed to see dolphins, all the while watching Cape Town unfold in front of you into a classic postcard picture.

Regardless of how you like to spend your holiday – be it indoors, hiking, visiting the beach or enjoying world-class food – you can be sure that Cape Town will deliver on all aspects spectacularly.