Jason Da Costa from Seeff Atlantic Seaboard says that although rates are under pressure, agents are looking forward to a busy summer.
Aside from locals, the SA summer coincides with the cold Northern Hemisphere winter and offers a fabulous escape for foreigners, and Seeff expects a good deal of visitors from the UK, Germany, Netherlands, USA and other countries. Visitors from Asian countries are also increasing.
Atlantic Seaboard tops the list, especially Clifton and Camps Bay
The fabulous thing about Cape Town, is that there is something for everyone and Da Costa says you can enjoy a laid-back trip and cater for yourself from as little as R2,500/night on the Atlantic Seaboard, or you can live like a king in Clifton at R250,000/night.
Camps Bay and Clifton top the list of most sought-after areas, but there is demand across the city including Hout Bay and Llandudno, the Southern Suburbs and as far as Hermanus.
The Atlantic Seaboard tends to attract the big spenders looking for a 5-star home-away-from-home experience. High season rates for apartments range from R2,500-R10,000/night, luxury villas for R20,000-R30,000/night and the most opulent homes, upwards of R50,000-R250,000/night.
Clients tend to want a great experience, especially at the top end of the market. The Seeff SHORTSTAY service includes everything from the listing and marketing of the property to bookings, checking in of guests, ensuring everything is in order, to 24/7 concierge service assistance. We also provide access to tourist products such as yacht and helicopter tours, wine tasting tours, personal trainers or access to local sports clubs and gyms and more, he says. We can also offer private air charters which can allow the ultra-wealthy to skip airport queues.
The Cape offers a holiday that can compete with top destinations such as the French Riviera and Ibiza. There are always a few celebrities to spot at summer hotspots such as Café Caprice, Grande Africa Café and Beach, the Shimmy Beach Club or at the Waterfront. Aside from the scenic location, you can enjoy a Mediterranean climate, sandy white beaches, many with Blue-Flag status, world-class surfing beaches, aquatic to land-based pursuits, nature and adventure, the wine farms and now also Africa’s first modern art museum, the Zeitz MOCAA.
Hout Bay, Llandudno and even Southern Suburbs in demand
Hout Bay and Llandudno are also coastal hotspots over the summer, but we have year-round demand here and in the Southern Suburbs, says Janine van Heerden, Seeff’s Rental Manager for the areas. Views are always a top choice, or as close to the beach as possible. Most holiday and short-let visitors require Wi-Fi and they often request a swimming pool in the summer months. These three areas also have easy access to the Constantia Wine Valley, another big draw-card.
The village is popular for its fabulous scenery, famous harbour and beautiful coastal drives - Chapman’s Peak on the one side leading to Noordhoek and on the Atlantic Seaboard side, Victoria Road which runs all the way past Camps Bay, Clifton and on to Bantry Bay.
She says that it is usually families, couples or groups of friends who book in the self-catering sector of the market. It is also a hotspot for foreigners from the UK, Germany, America and Australia.
We assist and guide property owners to ensure their property is furnished and equipped with the necessary amenities, linen, kitchen, etc. to boost their property as a top choice for visitors, says Ms van Heerden.
Peak season rates are around R2,400/night for a flat and for a house/villa R5,000-R13,500. Southern Suburbs rates range from R1,800-R2,500 for a flat and R3,300-R28,000 for a house/villa. Low season rates are about 30%-40% lower, depending on the time of year. Rates depend on the location and what is on offer.
Hermanus also popular for its close proximity to Cape Town
Cisca De Vries from Seeff Hermanus says that the town benefits from its close proximity to Cape Town and the international airport. That means that up to 40% of our visitors are foreigners, mostly from the UK and USA.
A popular weekend getaway for people from the Cape and inland provinces and over the summer season, the town is packed with visitors. As the whale capital of the country, it is also busy over the schools holidays, including winter when you can spot the magnificent Southern Right Whales in Walker Bay. Festivals are another big attraction which brings more visitors to the town. While our beautiful beaches and water-based adventures are a big attraction, we also have the beautiful Hemel en Aarde Wine Valley, fabulous waterfront cafés and now also the regional Whale Coast Mall.
High season rates are around R1,650/night for a flat and R5,500/night for a house/villa. The closer to the beach you are, the more expensive, but it depends on the area and property, she says. Low season rates are about 30%-50% cheaper.
The busier the tourist season, the higherthe rates that visitors will pay. We are still expecting some pressure on rates and Da Costa advises property owners not to be too ambitious with their expectations. Rather work with skilled agents because it is in nobody’s interest to have empty properties. Our aim is always to get the best possible rates for our clients.
Contact Seeff SHORTSTAY on 021 434 9175 (Atlantic Seaboard), 021 790 1032 (Hout Bay, Llandudno and Southern Suburbs) and 028 316 2145 (Hermanus) or visit www.seeff.com.