Genie in a Bottle

Sitting underneath the peaks of the Table Mountain Range, this wine estate dates back to the end of the 19th century and the home's facade is indeed reflective of the Dutch Cape style prevalent at the time. Take a walk around the interior and this sense of heritage continues, thanks to period details ranging from beamed ceilings and brick fireplaces to antique furnishings and oak floors running throughout.

That being said, visitors will not have to sacrifice 21st-century conveniences during a stay here. The glass-walled garden room is a contemporary gem and looks out to gorgeous views of the surrounding rustic landscape. Elsewhere in the fragrant outside space, the swimming pool is a relatively recent addition and the fountain is also a peaceful spot beside which to relax. This being a wine estate, there's a cellar with a good supply of bottles to uncork and this area is as far from dank and dark as you could imagine. Guests also have access to a gym in case they want to work off any of the previous evening's excesses.

When it comes to seeing a little more of this picturesque corner of South Africa, the centre of Constantia takes only seven minutes to reach in the car and rewards those that make the trip with bakeries, cafes and restaurants. Hout Bay Beach is the closest seaside spot at ten minutes' drive, but there are plenty more to be discovered along the coastline. You can get to the centre of Cape Town in around twenty minutes, too.

Home truths:
*There's space to park three cars in the garage
*Well-behaved dogs are allowed to accompany guests only with prior approval from the host
*You may experience load shedding (intermittent loss of electricity) from time to time
*The home is spread over two floors, but there are bedrooms on the ground level
*Daily housekeeping, gardening and 24/7 security is included in the price
*All the bedrooms have air conditioning