Named after a century-old stairway that links the house to the coast-hugging Main Road, Jacob’s Ladder does feel like a top rung on the way to heaven. Open your front door and you’re drawn in by an enormous blue horizon – as inviting as a cruiseliner heading out to sea. Turn back and glimpses of the perpendicular mountain, virtually in your backyard, root you back in terra firma. With four bedrooms, two lounges and several dining options spread across three levels, and a pool that feels almost cantilevered off the mountain, Jacob’s Ladder is designed for easy living, in one of the most sought-after suburbs on the Cape’s pretty south Peninsula coast.
Views, views, views. Located just below scenic Boyes Drive, Jacob’s Ladder enjoys the most elevated location high above historic St James. Floor-to-ceiling glass walls encompass the mesmerizing views across False Bay, and picture windows frame the mountain behind. Cleverly designed with an articulated ceiling that creates additional volume, and minimal use of internal walls, the house is airy and filled with light, yet furnished such that each space is distinctive, welcoming, and cozy. Drawn to that enormous blue horizon, you pass an en-suite guest bedroom (the only bedroom without a sea view) to where white Weylandts lamps lengthen into the stairwell; to the left is the open lounge, furnished in a palette of blue and maroon, and warmed with convection wood-burning fireplace in winter; to the right is an open kitchen-cum-dining room. Surrounded by views, this well-equipped kitchen invites cooking and entertaining in equal measure.
Descend the light-filled staircase to another balcony with slide-and-fold doors, shared by the main en-suite bedroom and TV lounge. Huge views make the bedroom feel expansive; large shutter doors can be rolled closed to create a more intimate cocoon. The bedroom is open to the bathroom, enabling guests to enjoy the same wonderful sea view while relaxing in the bath; a walk-in shower and separate toilet complete the picture.
The Smart TV is set up for Netflix or Apple TV.
The ground floor comprises two en-suite bedrooms, each opening onto a convenient kitchenette, and the furnished pool deck. A mobile bar can be rolled out to the rim-flow pool and entertainment deck – to the east lies expansive False Bay – the timber decking is the perfect spot to salute the rising sun. In the evenings watch the sun disappear behind the looming massif that curls its way south to Cape Point, and the twinkling lights of Simonstown flicker on – a unique vantage, fringed by stone pine trees.
Jacob’s Ladder is well positioned to enjoy the laid-back south Peninsula lifestyle: a six-minute walk down the 141-step granite stairway, and you’re at St James beach and tidal pool, with its iconic colorful Victorian-style bathing boxes; the Dalebrook tidal pool, with its loyal community of swimmers, is a 10-minute walk south from here; the shopping gem that is Kalk Bay lies just beyond. Cape Town city center is no more than 20 to 25 minutes from your doorstep.
ADDITIONAL
- Additional costs: Refundable breakage deposit of ZAR 10 000
OTHER INFORMATION
- Check-in: After 2:00 pm
- Check out: Before 10:00 am
- Minimum night stay: 2 Nights