Aug 2019 - Jhb South

turn off your phone, this would be
it – but, then again, that would be
a wasted opportunity. The smooth,
calm waters also make this an ideal
spot for trying out your stand-up
paddling skills. But if that idea
doesn’t grab you, perhaps the
thought of cruising slowly down
the river, bubbles in hand, will.
Plett’s beaches are also a favourite
party spot for whales and
dolphins. We played tag with them
out on the ocean, and although
the dolphins proved somewhat
shy and elusive, nothing could
beat the exhilarating sensation of
streaming over azure blue waves.
Then there are those boutiques
and bakeries. Those
who love browsing
through interesting
stores will find time
flies as they meander
down Plett’s high
street, refuelling
occasionally with a
flat white and slice
of buttery cake.
As much as all these activities are
food for the soul, there’s just as
much fulfilment to be found at
the hotel itself. It’s as though every
angle and corner of Sky Villa has
been carefully designed to make
you stop and stare – inside the
hotel, a luxe palette of metallics
is offset by moody wallpapers
and floral fabrics. Clearly, this
establishment hasn’t been created
merely as a place to relax; it’s also
intended as a treat for the senses.
The hotel’s gardens are even more
pleasing. Flurries of fynbos make
for a smudgy pastel landscape,
while the vista rolls all the way
down to that sapphire
sea. You can’t blame a
girl for wanting to take
it all in – which is why I
spent much of my stay
at the heated pool on the
rooftop bar. The espresso
martini I’m sipping certainly
doesn’t hurt, either.
The panorama from the
restaurant is similarly
spectacular. That might be the
reason the hotel is fast gaining a
reputation as a favourite breakfast
destination, although it’s the
dinners that really got my mouth
watering. The menu draws on
Mediterranean influences, so
expect plenty of fresh, bold
flavours that pair perfectly with
your coastal location. My all-time
hero dish is Live By Chocolate, a
chocolate experience so densely
delicious it will take care of all
cravings for the next week: think
a duo of mousse, lashed with
butterscotch sauce and finished
off with a dollop of home-made
ice cream. Of course, life isn’t
just about dessert (would that
it could be). I also loved the
avocado and salmon tartare,
with a liberal drizzle of sesame
oil complementing the Asian
complexity of the dish, while the
pork belly received lavish praise
from my companions. A word
of advice – go hungry! Sky Villa’s
portions are generous, to say the
least, and you’ll definitely want to
do them justice.
After just one weekend here, I feel
cosseted and cocooned – and
more than ready to tackle life
below the clouds.
Info ...
Rates (per room on a bed and breakfast basis) range from
R2 200 for a standard mountain-facing room in low season up
to R9 900 for the presidential suite in high season.
Details: Sky Villa: Capesummervillas.co.za; Ocean Blue
Adventures (whale and dolphin watching): oceanblueadventures.
co.za; SUP Keurbooms (stand-up paddling and champagne
cruises): standuppaddling.co.za
August 2019 Get It Joburg South 33
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2019/07/17 04:03:38 PM