Clifton Beyond Villa, Cape Town, South Africa
CLIFTON BEYOND is a thrilling example of inside-outside living—a speciality of South African-based architects SAOTA, a company that has built similar style houses in Los Angeles, Ibiza and Aspen. It sleeps 12 people in six bedrooms (four have balconies; one has an outdoor bath), has a heated infinity swimming pool, home cinema and outdoor dining area with a pizza oven, but the pièce de résistance is the view: a jaw-dropping panorama over Clifton Beach and the ocean (the villa sits atop the highest point in Clifton).
Lions Head nature reserve and the eponymous mountain is to one side of the house—the hiking routes up to the top are often clearer than the ones on betterknown Table Mountain. If you haven’t got a head for heights, head into Cape Town itself (Big Picture, page 110), surf at Glen Beach—a couple of sandy strips over; best in the morning and suited to more advanced surfers—or drop in to see the most famous penguins in the world, at Boulders Beach. Clifton Beyond is available to rent through
The Luxury Travel Book, a family-run company that has extensive knowledge of Cape Town and the surrounding area. Staff are on hand before and during your trip to make personalised recommendations and help book the best restaurants and activities. From £45,000 a week (www.theluxury travelbook.com)