Interaction with Guests

We give my guests space but am available when needed. We won't be onsite to assist you. However, we are most definitely available on our mobile/cellphone and by email and we do our best to provide you with the time & attention you need to make your stay with us enjoyable. If additional assistance is required on-site, either ourselves or a co-host will be available to see to anything that needs specific attention. If you require more specific hands-on assistance with your stay in Cape Town, we can certainly step it up and provide what you need. All we need from you if to communicate that with us upfront, so we can know what to arrange in advance. Things we an assist with:-
- Airport transfers
- Recommendations of restaurants, tourist spots and must-sees, local treasures
- Warnings of what to avoid
- We also have accommodation in our guesthouse in Johannesburg, if you plan to visit that city. Ask us more about that if you're interested.
- We also have access to accommodation through-out South Africa through a timeshare-program, which can provide you access to accommodation in almost every tourist destination spot in the country, including safari-type destinations like Kruger National Park.

Other Things to Note

Check in and check out times
Please note that check in is possible from 16:00 onwards on the day of your arrival. Check out is by 10:00 at the latest on the day of your departure.

If you're booing for 8
If you're booking for 8, we require a minimum of 24-48 hours advance notice, as we do not automatically have the extra bed linens available for those that would be sleeping on the foam mattresses in the lounge. If you are booking last minute, please note you can only book for 6 persons, as that is what we are normally set up for.

Languages spoken
Our co-host Maike speaks English, German and Dutch, if it is your preference to communicate in one of these languages.

Smoking
No smoking of any kind inside the apartment (this includes e-cigarettes and hubbly bubbly). If you are a smoker, please only smoke outside and discard of your ash and butts in a responsible manner. Please see our house rules for further information in this regard.

Neighbours
There are 3 other Airbnb units on the property, each with their own entrance, privacy and facilities.

House rules reminder
A reminder that we have a strict "No parties" policy and we require no disruptive noise after 9pm.

Cleaning
The apartment is not cleaned daily. Depending on the season, we sometimes opt to add a once-off cleaning fee in our booking charges. If you have been charged a cleaning fee in your booking charges, this is a one-time charge per booking for cleaning at the end of your stay. All in our cleaning team are paid a living wage.

Cleaning available during stay
If you would like to add cleaning during your stay, this is available at an additional charge. Please enquire with us if you would like us to arrange this for you.

Travel baby cot, baby bath and baby car seat (newborn to 12 years old)
There is a travel baby cot and baby bath available for use by guests, on a first book, first get basis. The baby car seat will attract an additional rental fee and a refundable security deposit upon it's return in the same condition that it was received in.

Caution for groups with children
Our apartment can accommodate children, however we offer a precautionary note to parents. We have had many children stay at the property, without incident. However, if you are a nervous parent or feel that your children are not able to be safe without constant supervision, you might NOT feel at ease with our property. There is one big staircase leading from the parking area to the front door of the apartment. There is a staircase inside the apartment. There are several large staircases leading to the pool and entertainment areas. With a property this size, it is not possible to baby-proof or kid-proof everything. Your children will need a degree of common sense and good instincts to be able to make use of the property.

Security: Panic buttons
We do not want to create any sense of panic about security, however, it is a reality that we need to go to extra lengths to ensure the safety of our guests. In addition to the alarm system with external beams, the security cameras, we also have panic buttons in all units in a highly visible, easily accessible spot. If you press this button, a signal is sent through to the Fidelity ADT control room and they will immediately dispatch an armed guard response, no questions asked. The host will at the same time also be contacted telephonically, to alert them that a panic button has been pressed. You will have both the host and Fidelity ADT checking up on you, to find out if it was by accident, or if you are in need of assistance. These layers of security are there to ensure that you can book with us, and stay with absolute peace of mind, knowing that your security is our priority.

Security: Automated driveway gate
The driveway is automated with a driveway gate motor. This ensures ease of entry and exit. When there is loadshedding, there are backup battery packs enclosed within the gate motor housing. These batteries are expected to last for at least 2 hours at a time, if the gate is being actively used while the loadshedding is underway. We encourage you to not open and close the driveway gate unnecessarily during loadshedding, so as to prolong the battery life until the power supply comes back. If you get stuck with not being able to open or close the driveway gate during loadshedding, please contact us for assistance and we'll assist you in getting that sorted right away.

Security: Cameras
Please note that we have CCTV camera devices that are recording 24/7. The recordings are stored on a harddrive. We have a minimum of 8 cameras which monitor the street outside our property, the driveway, the entrances to all 4 units, the decks available to each unit, the gardens, the braai areas and the swimming pool area. We do check these cameras from time to time for security and onsite management purposes. For obvious privacy reasons, there are no cameras inside the unit.

The Neighborhood

The neighborhood. Well, in South Africa we use the queen’s English, so we spell it “neighbourhood”. Anyhow, back to the point… there is so much to be said for Hout Bay itself as a neighbourhood, and then so much more about Cape Town as a city. Oh, where to start!

Hout Bay is a multi-cultural, multi-national suburb. There are more than 5 000 households. We have 3 distinct areas, each worlds’ apart, yet we as a community try our best to embrace the gap and integrate as a united community. The gap is widened by so many factors it’s not worth getting into here, however we bond on the most natural level possible – humanity.

There is Imizamo Yetho, a melting pot of controversy, home to some 40 000 informal settlers, and many formal residents as well. Then there is Harbour Heights, on the other side of the valley, home to some informal settlers however houses the longest-standing residents of the Hout Bay valley, the long-serving fisherman’s community, mostly homed in council-housing. And then there is the rest of Hout Bay, who are not living in council-housing or informal shacks. All this adds for very interesting dynamics that will fascinate you. Official tours are available inside Imizamo Yetho, if you wish to witness first-hand the internal workings of a South African informal settlement.

Hout Bay has some of these wonderful things to explore, a few of which are:-
Hout Bay Market - eclectic, arty, inspiring, entertaining, musical, creativity www bayharbour co za. Fish on the Rocks / Snookies – world-renowned take-away hake fish & slap chips (aka “tjips”). Hout Bay Harbour tour boats to see great white sharks at Seal Island – have you seen those pictures of great white sharks breaching out of the water with their full bodies as they’re chasing a seal? It all happens here… - drumbeatcharters co za and www nauticatcharters co za and others. Hout Bay Harbour famous restaurant, Mariner’s Wharf, known for their seafood platters www marinerswharf co za. Hout Bay Vineyard – if you get your hands on one of their sparkling rose wines, don’t share www houtbayvineyards co za. Long-established and well-respected Chapman’s Peak Hotel Restaurant (try the delicious calamari in a pan) and Dunes Restaurant (a must for those wind-still summer days and sunset drinks) positioned right on the Hout Bay beachfront www chapmanspeakhotel co za / restaurant-e.htm. A little bit of a nightlife and live music at Pakalolo’s www pakalolo co za. Our own Little Italy found at Dario’s Coffee Shop – if you go on grappa Thursday, be prepared to have grappa for breakfast (I’ve also heard been subjected to grappa Tuesdays and grappa Fridays, which makes me wonder if not every day is grappa day at Dario’s) www darioscafe co za. Hout Bay Beach, great for long walks hand in hand with your loved one
Famous nudist Sandy Bay Beach, more in the summer months if that’s your thing, and more my thing, an outstanding horse-riding beach for the winter months. Pristine Llandudno Beach, quite literally one of the most beautiful, pristine beaches in the world with pearly white sand, granite boulders and some of the world’s most expensive and architecturally awe-inspiring real estate positioned around it. Constantia Nek Restaurants – fine dining on one side, tapas-style with live music on the other side www constantianek co za. Horse riding - search for The Riding Centre Hout Bay on social media sites. Pottery Studio www claycafe co za. Art in the Forest www artintheforest com. Dozens of eclectic coffee shops and cafes, too numerous to mention here. Chapmans’ Peak Drive, one of the world’s wonders and offering unimaginable views from its historical roadway www chapmanspeakdrive co za. Many beautiful and well-worth-it hiking trails up the various mountains, including the protected Oranjekloof Nature Reserve (permits required) www capenature co za. And the list goes on and on…this is all just in the Hout Bay valley, don’t get me started on what lies outside of the valley…

Hout Bay is very popular with foreigners whom are affectionally called “swallows”, mostly German, some British, French and other nationalities. They live abroad for 9 months of the year, and come to rest in Hout Bay for the summer months, usually December / January / February.

What will likely strike you about Hout Bay, is the sense of community. Everyone is friends with everybody. There is a great sense of fighting for the benefit of the community, a volunteer spirit that rises amongst the valley’s residents whenever necessary, and a sense of comradery. Witness the Argus Cycle Tour in Hout Bay and you’ll quickly see how quirky we all are. Come, witness, experience and let the madness infect you… you will never look back, and may end up never leaving (as many have done – come, seen and stayed). Welcome to Hout Bay!

Getting Around

There are a few options for public transportation, however it is probably best to hire your own car. Public transportation:
1. MyCity buses: There is a MyCity bus terminal right outside the entrance to Mount Rhodes Estate. There are several other bus terminals through-out Hout Bay. The MyCity bus serves most of the high-demand areas. For more information on the MyCity bus routes, see the website myciti org za /en/routes/
2. Worldwide known and ascribed to, Uber taxi service, see the website www uber com, or use the app on your smart phone.
3. Local taxis - not recommended.
4. Local train - not recommended.
5. Red Tourist Bus - highly recommended, see the website www citysightseeing co za /cape-town for more information.
6. Again, as stated above, we highly recommend you hire your own car. Speak to us about options of hiring a car from us, or you can use one of the well-known car hiring companies like Avis, Hertz, etc.