Met with a smile and a warm handshake, we arrived at Spicy Villa. Looking up towards Table Mountain in the suburb of Oranjezicht is where this quaint, yet luxurious guesthouse resides. Walking through the ornately decorated heavy wooden doors, the feeling of opulence is immediate. But the soft creak of the wooden floors makes you feel instantly at home.

Built in Cape Dutch Style in 1920, Spicy Villa has been restored to 21^st-century splendor. History and culture abounds: its structure retains the antique columns, wooden floors and high ceilings, while the décor is quietly reminiscent of the Indian influence in the Cape’s history.

With four en-suite bedrooms, each with it’s own spicy name (cinnamon, cardamom, clove and saffron), you’re guaranteed a relaxing stay – whether for business or pleasure. Our stay was purely for pleasure – a sneaky getaway in the city. But nevertheless, Spicy Villa has seen many guests from local and international destinations in Cape Town for business stays.

‘Make yourself at home,’ Natacha tells us, handing over our keys and showing us into our room – Cardamom. From the absolute heaven of our king-sized bed and gigantic bathroom (two basins, a massive bath and a double shower) to the clean lines of the modern kitchen and comfort of the alcove seating, it does have the distinct feel of home. Spicy Villa belongs in the pages of Top Billing, but somehow without the feeling of over-the-top décor that you don’t want to touch. This place feels lived in.

After a light lunch in Kloof Street, we spent the rest of the afternoon lazing by the tranquil pool. The water was inviting after a long, hot day and the sun loungers asked to be relaxed upon. Minutes turned into hours with views of Table Mountain looming above us on one side and the wide blue sea stretching for miles on the other. A panoramic view of extreme contrasts.

The website describes the villa: ‘With an air of delightful indulgence, the spacious living room and dining area are designed to seduce the senses. Original African artworks, fresh cut flowers and colourful furniture all contribute to an atmosphere of discreet luxury.’ Indeed, delightful indulgence and discreet luxury abound with tasteful hints peppered throughout. These hints can be seen in the lighting. Throughout the guesthouse, artist Riaan Chambers has added that something special, that extra spice. He has carefully created a warm cheerful ambiance using original custom-made chandeliers made from recycled glass. And the soft glow is a welcome sight when returning under the cover of night.

So why Spicy Villa? Host and qualified field guide Natacha explains: ‘We brainstormed for days looking for a name that was unique. Spicy is one of two things – it’s the spice of life and refers to the spice route of which Cape Town is a pivotal place.’

Breakfast is served in the dining room or if it’s not too hot, on the terrace – it’s your choice. And although located in the midst of suburbia, the feel is of a weekend getaway an hour’s drive from Cape Town. On the same level as a top-class hotel, Spicy Villa offers so much more. You have the privacy of your own room, but the freedom of a home. It’s a place where you can relax, reclining on the alcove couch with a drink in hand, while enjoying the twinkling city lights below. There’s no rush and there’s no crowd – just you and a few other house guests.

For more information and bookings visit www.spicyvilla.com or phone +27 (0)21 461 6287. If you mention KeenOnCapeTown.com, you’ll receive a 10% discount on your booking.

Facilities include ten en-suite rooms, elegant in the extreme, with a warm home-from-home atmosphere. Each has been lovingly put together, with an eclectic mix of Colonial, Asian and Madagascan influences.

Individually decorated and unlike conventional hotels, the rooms are strewn with articles of genuine charm and have dark wood furnishings contrasted with pristine white linen. Equipped with DSTV, air-conditioning, fully stocked mini-bars, electronic safe, telephone, music system, hairdryers, gowns, slippers and more. Breakfast can be enjoyed in the cosy dining area or on your own room deck, while enjoying the fabulous view.

Recreational activities include a stroll along the Camps Bay beach, as well as sipping fabulous cocktails on the deck or in your own jacuzzi, while you watch the sun sinking slowly into the Atlantic Ocean .

Visit the buzz at the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, hike the nearby Table Mountain National Park with its endless variety of fauna and flora, go shark diving or visit Robin Island. The list is endless. It’s all waiting for you at the Primi Royal.

For more information and to book accommodation at Primi Royal, click here.

Stylish yet understated, Tintswalo Atlantic offers home-away-from-home comforts, discreet service and mouthwatering culinary creations in the most beautiful setting. Nestled unobtrusively between the boulders of the Atlantic Ocean’s water’s edge and the slopes of the Cape Mountain Fynbos Reserve, known worldwide for its extraordinary rich and diverse fauna and flora – no trees were removed and not so much as a branch was cut from the Milkwood trees that grace the shoreline – Tintswalo Atlantic offers absolute seclusion and relaxation, with the ocean literally a stone’s throw away from the pebbled beach.

Tintswalo Atlantic is the perfect destination for visitors wanting to relax right beside the ocean – either starting their holiday at the lodge or to recuperate after an exciting few days on safari. It’s also ideal for holiday goers wanting to spend their days exploring the many attractions of the Cape Peninsula, returning ‘home’ at the end of a busy day.

For more information and to book accommodation at Tintswalo Atlantic, click here.

Decorated in Anna Carst interiors – hand-painted natural fabrics with tranquil blues and salmon pinks against a warm ivory background, the suites echo the colours of the hotels exquisite coastal setting. Each suite is adorned with colonial-style lime washed wooden shutters, which, when opened depict spectacular views of the crystal blue Atlantic Beach and the pure white sands of Kommetjie’s famous, Long Beach.

Guests can step off the pool deck outside their elegant suite straight onto the unspoilt dunes. Breakfast is served overlooking the pool deck and the beach, with lunch and dinner available on request in the elegant dining room.

For more information and to book accommodation at The Long Beach, click here.