Despacito: A Slow-Living Family Beach Villa in Struisbaai

White-washed walls, cacti and wide curved arches, this is beach living with a Mexican-inspired aesthetic… the name Despacito (it means slowly in Spanish) hints at long, lazy beach days and peacefully cosy nights staring into the flames beside one of the many fireplaces. Just steps away from the endless white-sand beach in the fishing village of Struisbaai (close to the southernmost tip of Africa at Cape Agulhas), the luxury villa is designed as a serene refuge to come home to after long beach walks, snorkelling and surfing in the shallow waves, and visits to the harbour fish market, or to greet Parrie, the famous resident stingray.

Barefoot luxury

Rustic simplicity is layered with absolute comfort in the spacious living rooms (stacked with board games and books), which soar up to high wooden-beam-pitched roofs. There are huge soft sofas to curl up on, wide arches connecting the spaces and earthy tones that soften bright reflected light. Big open hearths at each end of the living space demand a fire on chilly nights   and allow you to cook over the coals in the kitchen too. Opening onto a walled courtyard with swimming pool and a firepit boma (around the corner there’s a separate braai area, outdoor dining spot and secluded hot tub), the villa feels private and sheltered from blustery coastal winds, yet lets in the bright sparkle of the coastal sunlight.

Family heaven

Despacito is a place where families can happily gather. One bedroom has a built-in mezzanine over the queen-size bed with ladders climbing to two single bunk beds. And the loft bedroom is the perfect hideaway for kids and teens, with two single beds to one side of the stairs and a games and TV room on the other. The master bedroom is a sumptuous refuge, with its own fireplace, open-plan bath and a vaulted Rasul steam room that invites impromptu pampering spa sessions, with body scrubs and essential oils to hand.

Easy coastal living

Stroll through the arched gateway and down to the beach for sunset picnics on the dunes, swims and meandering beachcombing walks. Struisbaai has an away-from-it-all serenity, where days spent surfing in the shallow waves, horse-riding on the beach, bird-watching and shell-collecting set a gentle drifting pace.

The lodgings

• 1 ensuite bedroom with king bed and open-plan bathroom with Rasul steam room
• 1 bedroom with queen bed and 2 single mezzanine bunk beds
• 1 loft bedroom with 2 single beds + adjacent games and TV room
• shared second bathroom + guest loo
• 2 living rooms with fireplaces
• fully-equipped kitchen and dining area
• laundry room
• 2 Smart TVs
• pool table and ping pong table
• swimming pool
• hot tub
• outdoor shower
• boma, firepit and braai area

Things to do

• beach and nature walks
• swimming
• surfing classes
• snorkelling
• whale-watching (in season)
• horse-riding
• buy just-off-the-boat fish at the market
• visit the southern tip of Africa at Cape Agulhas
• climb the Agulhas lighthouse
• explore nearby pioneering wine estates

Good to know Firewood, linen, towels and beach towels are provided. A camp cot can be supplied.
Child friendly? Yes
Pet friendly? No
Wifi? Yes
Sleeps 4 adults + 4 kids (or young adults)
Cost From R8 800 per night (two-night minimum stay)
Where to find it Argonauta Avenue, Struisbaai
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