A luxurious villa with all-round views of the ocean and wide open skies

Set aside at least three nights when you book into the Villa Marine in Pringle Bay, and be sure to goin the off season for the best weather and uncrowded beaches.

A luxurious villa with all-round views of the ocean and wide open skies
Pringle Bay‘s Hangklip mountain, photographed from inside Villa Marine.
Photo: Brian Berkman
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Almost on its own peninsula, Villa Marine guest house in Pringle Bay, Western Cape, commands attention. In recent years and under new ownership, it has been expanded to turn the original owner’s suite into available accommodation.

Accessible by a staircase, The Residence at Villa Marine is their answer to the villa trend, offering a luxe two-bedroom beach house with en-suite bathrooms and stunning 360° views.

With windows wherever you look, natural light, along with sea and mountain views, floods The Residence.

Top-quality furnishings and appliances are found throughout. The Residence has its own Jura-brand bean-to-cup machine and a stocked mini-bar.

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Overlooking The Point, an area in Pringle Bay that juts out into the ocean, and with Hangklip mountain looming large almost directly behind it, this is the place to be to fully explore the Kogelberg biosphere, much of which can be reached on foot from the guest house.

A room with a view

Thoughtfully designed and with windows throughout, Villa Marine offers guests the best of everything.

From The Residence to whichever type of accommodation you select, expect to be rewarded with glorious views and a very comfortable stay.

There is a rim-flow swimming pool on the front deck, which is an extension of the breakfast room and lounge area. Sliding doors open all the way up in beautiful weather.

Some rooms, called Junior Jacuzzi Suites, have their own spa pool on the outside balcony.

Décor is mostly in the classic and practical beach-house style, with painted white timber Adirondack-type deck chairs and steam-ship timber loungers. Flooring is mostly painted concrete with rugs while the upstairs rooms have laminate flooring.

The Residence‘s bathtub and shower are open to the bedroom, but the loo is private.

Villa Marine serves a quality buffet breakfast with à la carte hot orders too and there is a selection of snack platters for advance booking.

They have an extensive wine collection and invite guests to enjoy what they’d like and simply note items in the honesty bar book. There are also prepacked beach bags available for rental.

Out and about

Villa Marine is close to two notable Pringle Bay institutions. The first is the Hangklip Hotel, which is in the process of being upgraded and has an excellent roster of live music and other activities.

A little further along Hangklip Road, pedestrian access is available to Sea Farm. While this is a private housing development and nature reserve, it is open to walkers who wish to access the coast below the high-water mark.

Sea Farm takes its name from fish traps believed to have been built by the earliest inhabitants, who placed rocks and stones on the shore to retrieve fish easily as the tide flowed in and out.

Also nearby is the powered watercraft launch site into Pringle Bay, the last bay within False Bay, and access to the stunning and secluded Moonlight Bay beaches. There is a lighthouse there too and an easy coastal walk. It is said that this location is the only one from where three lighthouses are simultaneously visible.

Birders are keen on the coastal area in neighbouring Rooi-Els as this is where the rare Cape rock jumper and ground woodpecker are often found.

Although the Kogelberg in Pringle Bay suffered badly as a result of fires earlier this year, regrowth is beginning to take hold thanks to good winter rains.

While the village of Pringle Bay has grown exponentially in the number of permanent residents and built sites since the COVID-19 lockdown, there remain many properties that are only occupied on weekends and during holidays.

What this means is that if you visit Pringle Bay during the working week you will have access to the most beautiful natural environment with only a handful of others.

The 1km-long main beach and its Buffels River lagoon, which is safe for swimming, may even be deserted when you visit.

Lemon & Lime Deli in the village centre has an outstanding selection of items, including imported Italian pasta and sauces, Asian ingredients, and an extensive range of Mexican items. A variety of breads are baked daily and there is always a selection of quiches and sweet treats too.

The Book Club restaurant opened this year to much excitement and it has elevated the dining-out scene. There are, however, many other eating options too, from pizza to the Belgian-style bistro, Ma Cuisine.

All seasons

Although whales tend to congregate further along the coast in Hermanus, there is a natural bay in front of Villa Marine from where you stand a good chance of spotting whales, especially between September and December.

The guest house is designed for all climates. There are wood-burning fireplaces in the public areas as well as in The Residence, and a gas fireplace in some of the rooms, air-conditioners and Wi-Fi throughout.

Beach-house accents include a white-washed reed ceiling, laminated floors, and a gas fireplace for winter cosiness.

Although the south-easter summer winds in Pringle Bay can be discombobulating and leave one frazzled, the wind drops from May to October and the bay is at its best. Whenever you decide to visit, the one- or two-night stay you planned will not be enough.

Visit villamarine.co.za.

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