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- Holidaymakers eager to enjoy Cape Town are prepared to pay up to R500 000 per night for luxury villas.
- The most popular areas include the Atlantic Seaboard - Camps Bay, Clifton, Bantry Bay, and Fresnaye.
- The highest rates are usually paid by international visitors paying with foreign currencies.
- For more financial news, go to the News24 Business front page.
The summer holiday season in Cape Town is the first since 2019 without any Covid-19 restrictions, and tourists - many from overseas - are prepared to pay top dollar for luxury rentals.
The most popular areas include the Atlantic Seaboard - Camps Bay, Clifton, Bantry Bay, and Fresnaye for villa rentals, and areas such as the Waterfront, Sea Point, Green Point, De Waterkant, and the CBD for holiday flats, according to Ross Levin, licensee for Seeff Atlantic Seaboard and City Bowl.
The exclusive villas and flats don't really cater for short stays. Between 15 December and 15 January 2022, for example, the required minimum stay in usually a minimum stay of 10 nights. Prices depend on location, views, and the amenities on offer.
According to Levin, along the Atlantic Seaboard, the average rental is around R15 000 to R30 000 per night, or R150 000 to R300 000 for a ten day stay. But some top-end villas and homes tend to range upwards of R50 000 to R100 000 per night.
And an "exceptionally rare" property in Clifton could even reach R500 000 per night.
"The highest rates are usually paid by international visitors with foreign currency such as euros, pounds, and dollars. Given the exchange rate, it is still a good deal for these foreign visitors. There are also wealthy South Africans who book high-end villas and pay up to about R100 000 per night," says Levin.
"The Atlantic Seaboard is a high-demand area for luxury holiday rentals. The attraction includes the location, views, exquisite beaches, cosmopolitan lifestyle, and superb amenities. Fantastic restaurants and activities are on your doorstep and within walking distance. You are also within easy reach of the wine farms and other attractions of the Cape."
The most expensive villa on the books of Cape Town Beach Villas is a 6-bedroom property situated in one of the most expensive areas in the country, Nettleton Ridge, Clifton. Those wanting to come and relax here have to fork out R350 000 per night - and one has to stay for a minimum of four nights.
Stephanie Lloyd of Cape Town Beach Villas describes it as an architectural masterpiece. The home is split over four levels and includes a spa and entertainment theatre. The villa is popular among CEOs of international companies.
A very popular villa on her books is the newly built Villa Shamsa in Camps Bay, which only became available for short-term holiday rental in August 2022. The per night rate ranges from R25 000 to R75 000 per night.
"This villa immediately received a lot of interest when it became available, and already has a string of reservations. Guests range from international tourists to local business owners. Several indoor and outdoor lounge areas offer amazing sea views," says Lloyd.
Her most booked villa is 32 On Sedgemoor in Camps Bay, a favourite among influencers, socialites, and the discerning traveler, according to Lloyd. Travel influencer, Wolves, made a YouTube video on this villa titled "Insane $5 000 000 villa in Cape Town". The per night rate ranges from R28 125 to R82 500.
"We experienced a boom in holiday rentals over the festive season as local and international visitors returned in their thousands," says Arno de Wit, Pam Golding Properties (PGP) rentals manager for the Cape Metro.
"Most of the enquiries are from overseas visitors, looking for villas with contemporary, luxurious finishes, fast internet connectivity, good security, and a swimming pool. The weak rand has also been an additional draw card for foreign tourists," says De Wit.
Recent top PGP rentals include a 17-night stay in a seven-bedroom villa in Constantia for R30 000 a night and a 4-bedroom villa in Camps Bay, let at R25 000 per night for 10 nights.
