Icaria, Bantry Bay

While gradually gliding up the vertiginous mountainside in Icaria’s funicular, the bustle of Victoria Road and the hip Atlantic Seaboard scene falls away until all you can see is the swell of the endless sea below. By the time you reach the front door, all you hear is the peaceful shushing of waves and you’d be forgiven for thinking you’ve discovered an off-the-beaten-track island in Greece. Stone steps wind through a terraced garden reminiscent of the Mediterranean, taking you into this utterly secluded and tranquil hideaway just minutes from the heart of the city and Cape Town’s most beautiful sandy beaches.

The first surprise is that this most sought-after – and densely developed – coastal address in South Africa actually houses a pristine finger of Table Mountain National Reserve that reaches down from the mountain slopes to tickle the swelling waters of the Atlantic Ocean. The second is that the entire southern edge of Icaria blends into this pristine, fynbos-covered nature reserve.

Inside, its calming contemporary interiors have an unpretentious warmth and magic. Surprisingly, Icaria is remarkably grounded given the mountainside that surrounds it: the entire south-facing facade is punctuated with windows that bring the granite boulders and fynbos vegetation of Table Mountain Nature Reserve right indoors. The kitchen is a cook’s delight, with ‘picture’ windows and doors that slide away into the walls framing extraordinary sea and mountain views. And, despite its steep location, the barbecue area bridges the alfresco dining area and the kitchen, making for sheer practicality and convenience.

Peaceful zones keep the space grounded yet airy and free flowing, while beautiful artworks and photographs – collected by the cosmopolitan owner whose homes are in New York and the Hamptons – reflect a desire for conscious simplicity. ‘We didn’t want any mass-produced pieces in the house,’ says interior designer Tara Bean, adding a welcoming warmth and a ‘hand-hewn, artisanal touch’ throughout. Vintage finds, tactile grass rugs and African artefacts give each bedroom its own personality and the private outdoor spaces allow guests to escape with a good book on a lazy summer afternoon. All six bedrooms are spread out of different tiers or levels.

On a lowest terrace, overlooking the pool area, is the poolside suite; one level above is the ‘cave’ bedroom – so-called because of the way granite boulders have been incorporated into the architecture. Both have jaw-dropping views out over the pool and ocean. Behind and above the house is a new addition known as the ‘retreat’, a delightfully private bedroom suite that doubles as a secluded work space and it has a big TV lounge area which is a great hideout for teens. Above the main living area and perched at the very top of the house is the master suite with astonishing views of the sea and the mountains – nothing short of a seductive space. Nearby is a smaller bedroom, so that kids can sleep on the same level as the master suite. It is not an exaggeration to say that the en-suite bathroom has the most iconic view in Africa: you can take in the Cape Peninsula as it disappears off to the south and gaze out over the endless horizon of the Atlantic Ocean. Simply heaven on earth!

What we love!

• A sense of absolute remoteness despite being located in the heart of Cape Town’s sought-after Atlantic Seaboard – you couldn’t be better situated for dipping into the best the city has to offer yet still being able to relax in total seclusion.

• The way each of the five bedrooms and new ‘retreat’ all have gorgeous private outdoor spaces and fab bathrooms.

• The ‘otherworldly’ pool: it literally merges with the sea beyond.

• The house is completely protected from the south-easterly wind – take it from those in-the-know that this is almost unheard of…

• There is garage parking for two cars inside and one off-street – absolute ‘gold’ in this area!