It was a Thursday afternoon in Cape Town. The rumble of the Atlantic Ocean meeting the shore anchored me in the moment. The power of the natural world became the focus. Everything else outside of that dissolved, and I was grounded in a paradise of peace.
Concealed within a cliffside forest of milkwood trees and indigenous flora, Tintswalo Atlantic is a crowning jewel of Cape hospitality. Its exceptional position at the foot of Chapman’s Peak shows off panoramic views of Hout Bay Harbour, the Sentinel Mountain Peak, and an endless expanse of glimmering ocean and big blue sky.
Also read: Chefs Warehouse at Tintswalo Atlantic appoints a new head chef
I had been invited to experience the Winter Warmer special – a stay in one of the lodge’s eight Luxury Island Suites with sunset canapés and cocktails, and breakfast included. For a little extra, guests have the option of including a four-course dinner at the onsite Chefs Warehouse – so worth it!
The sincerity of the people who work there makes the surroundings and the overall experience all the more remarkable. Concierge Jonathan met me at the entrance of the lodge after the shuttle ride down the rugged mountainside.
‘Welcome to Tintswalo,’ he said with arms open as wide as his smile before guiding me through the foyer, past the acclaimed restaurant – a brief exchange of hellos and pleasantries with the team there – and then on to the rooms they’ve dubbed the Luxury Island Suites.
A wooden deck snakes between the main lodge and the cool of the bush-covered slopes and leads us past the door of each suite, named and themed after famous islands close to the continent and beyond.
The ocean-facing bungalows are fitted with a large ensuite bedroom, which opens out onto a private deck and comes with all the little luxuries that make vacationing such a treat – the robes, the cloud-like bed, the Africology body care, the wood-burning fireplace, and, of course, the minibar full of local snacks and drinks, as well as the obligatory tea and coffee station.
Floating above the main lodge is the Villa. Available for larger parties looking for a bit more space, it is made up of two Island Suites joined by a charming living area and an elevated deck with soaring views of the seascape below.
This is not included in the Winter Special package, but it was my home for the night. For fear of upsetting Jonathan and embarrassing myself, I refrained from doing a joyous jig when he presented the noble apartment in all its glory and opted for a composed, ‘It’s lovely’.
Everything is super sumptuous, but, to be honest, as a sleep-deprived mother of two small children, even a night away at a roadside motel would be considered heaven. While my accommodation was draped in first-class opulence, being so close to the grace of nature made the biggest impression here.
I stepped out onto the deck to breathe it all in. The strong, salty breeze brushed my skin, and lucky for me, winter seemed to be on pause for the day, so the sun thawed the frost of the countless cold fronts that clung to my bones.
Birds were merrily chatting away and popping in and out of the coastal forest, and the rhythmic roar of the tides washed over me, immediately restoring peace to my anxious city-based self.
What was left for me to do but revel in the privilege of my weekday getaway? Lathered in suncream and satisfaction, I made my way down to the Residents Deck to grab a glass of sparkling wine and lounge like a happy hippo in the temperate waters of the heated swimming pool.
I stayed there, just staring out beyond the sea, all of a sudden quite capable of meditating on everything I’m thankful for – the first being the bubbly beverage I was sipping on.
As the sun started descending and the tide was creeping in, I went down to the beach to sit on the shoreline’s swinging bench and dip my toes in the foamy waves, before I went back to the Villa to get ready for sunset canapés and cocktails. Yup, living my best life.
Dressed for an evening of wining and dining, and this time shamelessly lathered in the gratis Africology body cream, I went to join some good people at the Residents Deck. We chatted about what brought us to the lodge while we sipped on gin fizz cocktails, nibbled our appetisers and admired the view every five minutes.
New appointment Cameron Smith is making his mark on the Chefs Warehouse at Tintswalo Atlantic. Successor to Braam Beyers, Cameron has assumed the role of head chef with focused fervour. His cuisine is an ode to the ocean. True to Chefs Warehouse’s style, the tapas set menu is a choice of small plates served over four courses.
After the Kitke Bread serving, each dish is a spectacle of mostly seafood, plated in intricate arrangements. I had no idea what I was eating, but every bite teased the tastebuds with a harmonious mingling of flavours.
Our waiter, Eden, wheeled and revealed each course on a trolley, drizzled some silky sauce over the edible art, and explained the composition of what we were looking at. My knowledge of fine dining jargon is decent, but Eden completely lost me at furikake.
I discovered it’s helpful to have the menu on hand. Seared swordfish with a Cape Malay atchar, yellowtail ceviche with a cashew mint chutney, Jerusalem artichoke, saffron risotto – should have guessed! Of course, the food was perfectly paired with our sommelier’s thoughtfully curated selection of local wines.
With a happy tummy and a tipsy head, I fell into my marshmellowy bed, the soundtrack of the sea sending me into a deep sleep. But not before I did the responsible thing and took two Pandados.
The next morning, fresh as a fynbossie, I stalled my departure from the lofty Villa for as long as I could before I went down for breakfast. My melancholic mood quickly dissipated with the first sip of my creamy latte.
And then it only got better from there. After pastries, fresh fruit and an outstanding egg Benedict, followed by a luscious cheese board, the weight of my imminent checkout and return to reality lifted … slightly.
Alas, I had to make tracks. I think Jonathan saw the deep sorrow in my eyes when the shuttle escorted me back to my car. As I left Tintswalo in my rear-view mirror, I had two thoughts: one day I would return to this seaside sanctuary, and, I should have stashed those Africology products in my bag!
Winter Warmer Special (Valid until 31 August 2023, for South African residents only)
- R7800 per room per night incl. breakfast and sunset canapés and cocktail
- R9500 per room per night incl. breakfast, sunset canapés and cocktail and a 4-course dinner at Chefs Warehouse.
Details:
- Location: Chapman’s Peak Drive, Hout Bay, Cape Town
- Bookings: 021 773 0900 | [email protected]
- Website: tintswalo.com
Also read:
Taking the scenic route along Chapman’s Peak Drive never gets old
Picture: Supplied
