Craigrownie Guest House: Cape Town's BEST Kept Secret? (Unbelievable Views!)
Craigrownie Guest House: Cape Town's "Secret" – Is it Really Worth the Hype? (Spoiler: Those Views!)
Okay, let's get real. Cape Town, the city of jaw-dropping scenery, penguins wandering aimlessly, and… a gazillion places to stay. Finding the right one is a quest, people. So, when I stumbled upon Craigrownie Guest House and saw those photos proclaiming "unbelievable views!", I'll admit, my inner cynic was doing somersaults. "Another guesthouse promising paradise, eh?"
But, folks… I was about to eat those words, and not in a "delicious breakfast buffet" kinda way (we'll get to the food later).
First Impressions & The View… Oh, The View! (And the Steep Stairwell! 😅)
The location? Simon’s Town, a gem along the Cape Peninsula, right where the mountains meet the sea. The drive there is already an adventure, winding roads hugging the coastline. And then, you pull up to Craigrownie… and your jaw actually drops. Not just the polite, social-media-approved "wow," but the genuine, "holy-crap-that's-spectacular" kind of wow.
Getting There & Accessibility (or Lack Thereof…)
So, let's address the elephant in the room: Accessibility is NOT their strong suit. Sigh. While the reviews claim some accessibility features, there is a significant lack of specifics. I'd wager the stairs are killer. Expect a challenging experience for those with mobility issues. I saw no mention of elevators here, so those high-floor views might be a sweat-soaked climb away!
- Getting Around: The drive to the guesthouse itself is beautiful, but you'll need your own transport or be prepared for taxi services. Car park is on-site, but it felt pretty tight.
- Car Power Charging Station: Not available.
The Vibe & The Perks: More Than Just a Pretty Picture?
Right off the bat, the building exudes a certain… charming quality. It's not a cold, corporate hotel. It's got personality. It’s got heart. But most importantly, it’s got that view. Seriously, you're practically in the ocean.
- Views that make you weep: From the pool (more on that dream later), the rooms, and especially the terrace: the endless expanse of blue, the craggy coastline… it's pure magic.
- For the photogs: This spot might be a literal proposal spot!
- The "Couple's Room": The guesthouse has couple rooms available.
- Security & Safety: They definitely take security seriously. CCTV everywhere, security guards, the works. Made me feel safe, even though the area is generally pretty chilled.
Rooms & Amenities: Comfort Meets Jaw-Dropping Scenery
My room (thank god, not on the top floor!) was spacious, thoughtfully decorated, and clean. Like, REALLY clean. A true commitment to the Sanitizing Kitchen and Tableware items, Daily disinfection in common areas, Room sanitization between stays, etc. that gives you a feeling of safety while traveling.
- The essentials are covered: Air conditioning (a must!), free Wi-Fi (yesss!), a comfy bed, and all the usual suspects like a mini-bar and a coffee maker.
- No-brainer amenities: Free bottled water in the room, a hair dryer (because, humidity!), and a safe box.
- Room for Improvement?!: I will say, the bathroom decor felt slightly dated, but it was spotless and functional.
- In-Room Details: Extra long bed, and soundproof rooms should be standard around the world.
- Internet Access & Wi-Fi: Excellent. I'm talking Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! And it actually worked! No buffering, no dropped connections. Bless.
- Rooms features: Blackout curtains. Bathrobes in my room!
- Available in all rooms: Air conditioning, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, In-room safe box, Internet access – wireless, Mini bar, Non-smoking, Private bathroom, Shower, Smoke detector, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens.
- Room decorations were just enough - stylish and not overdone.
Food, Glorious Food! (And the "Is It Worth the Extra Cost?" Debate)
Okay, let's talk food. Breakfast is included, and it's… pretty darn good. A solid breakfast buffet and room service (24-hour). They even have Asian cuisine in restaurant and Vegetarian restaurant options. I had the Breakfast [buffet], and the Western breakfast was absolutely delicious, so a solid start to my day.
- On-site Dining: There are restaurants, a coffee shop, and a poolside bar. The Poolside bar - absolutely essential.
- Options: I did a bit of digging and discovered that they also offer alternative meal arrangements.
- The Big Question: While the breakfast was great, I didn’t eat much else there, which is a shame! The restaurants sounded pretty good but I definitely need more options next time. I do not have any details on prices.
Things to See & Do: Beyond the Walls (And the View)
Craigrownie isn't just a place to sleep. It's a launchpad for exploring the Cape Peninsula.
- Must-Do: Go to the beach. The walk is beautiful. Cape Town is a gem.
- Convenience: Cash withdrawal, a convenience store, currency exchange, food delivery.
- Entertainment & Relaxation: This is where things get interesting. They have a Pool with view and a Swimming pool [outdoor]. Gym/fitness and even a Spa! I really wanted to partake in the Body scrub and Body wrap but time was short. Sauna, Spa/sauna, Steamroom and Foot bath sound heavenly.
- For the kids: Babysitting service.
Cleanliness & Safety: The "Current World" Factor
Post-pandemic, safety is on everyone's mind. Did Craigrownie deliver? YES. They were on top of everything.
- The Essentials: Anti-viral cleaning products, Hand sanitizer everywhere, Daily disinfection in common areas, Hand sanitizer, Hygiene certification, Professionally-grade sanitizing services, and they've thought of it all and have a Sanitized kitchen and tableware items. Good stuff.
- Other safety protocol: CCTV in common areas and CCTV outside property, Fire extinguisher.
- Nice Touches: Individually-wrapped food options.
- Room sanitization: They offer you the chance to Room sanitization opt-out available option.
- Staff trained in safety protocol.
- Physical distancing of at least 1 meter.
Staff & Service: The Human Touch (Or Maybe Not Quite "Touchless"!)
The staff were friendly, helpful, and genuinely seemed to care. Nothing felt forced or fake. It felt like a genuine effort to make your stay enjoyable.
- Check-in/out [private].
- Concierge, currency exchange, Luggage storage, and Laundry service.
- 24-hour Front desk.
The Downsides (Because Nothing’s Perfect, Right?)
- Minor issues: While the room decor was largely great, some areas felt a bit dated.
- Food Prices I can't comment on the exact cost, but I did have to pay extra for the food, which is never a plus for me.
- Smoking: This might not be an issue, but a designated smoking area would be helpful.
Final Verdict: Should You Book Craigrownie?
Absolutely. Despite a few minor imperfections, the pros FAR outweigh the cons. The views alone are worth the price of admission. That said, if you have mobility issues, proceed with caution (and maybe call ahead to discuss accessibility options).
My Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars. (Docking half a star for the accessibility situation and the slightly dated decor.)
SEO & Metadata Keywords:
- Title: Craigrownie Guest House: Cape Town's Best Kept Secret? (Unbelievable Views!) Review
- Keywords: Cape Town, Craigrownie, Simon's Town, Guest House, Views, Accommodation, South Africa, Travel, Review, Luxury, Hotel, Spa, Swimming Pool, Ocean View, Accessible, Breakfast, Restaurant, Cleanliness, Safety
- Description: An honest, in-depth review of Craigrownie Guest House in Cape Town, South Africa. Discover the breathtaking views, the pros and cons, and whether this "secret" spot lives up to the hype.
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because this isn't your perfectly-polished, Instagram-filtered Cape Town itinerary. This is the real deal: my messy, emotional, and let's be honest, slightly chaotic adventure in and around the Craigrownie Guest House. Prepare for opinions, tangents, and the occasional grumpy moment.
Craigrownie Chaos: A Cape Town Chronicle (aka, My Attempt to Adult in South Africa)
Day 1: Arriving and the "Oh My God, It's Absolutely Gorgeous" Moment
Morning (aka, the Travel Zombie Phase): Landed in Cape Town. The flight was a nightmare. Did I mention I’m terrified of flying? So you can imagine the horror show. The smell of recycled airplane air, the guy behind me snoring like a rusty engine… but, hey, we survived! Dragged myself and my overstuffed suitcase (seriously, why did I pack that many shoes?) through the airport. Customs was a breeze, thankfully. Always a good start. Uber to Craigrownie.
Afternoon (aka, Instant Love Affair): Pulled up to the guest house. Okay, hold up. Seriously? This place is stunning! Colonial architecture, sprawling garden with giant trees casting welcoming shadows. I spent about ten minutes just wandering around muttering "Oh my god, this is beautiful" to myself. Met Sandra, the owner, a woman who could melt glaciers with her smile. She showed me to my room, which had a balcony overlooking the garden. Did a happy dance. Possibly squealed. Didn’t care.
Late Afternoon/Early Evening (aka, Food, Glorious Food and Jet Lag Fury): Settled in, unpacked (mostly. Some things still live in the suitcase. Don’t judge). Then, disaster. Jet lag hit like a freight train. But, the promise of food pulled me out of my stupor. Scored a recommendation for a little cafe in Simon’s Town called "The Black Marlin." It was supposed to be the best seafood in the city, not a lie. Absolutely divine. Fish so fresh it practically jumped off the plate. The sunset over the water…. I think I actually teared up (jet lag does that to a person, alright?). Headed back to Craigrownie, crashed.
Evening/Night (aka, the Sleep Cycle from Hell): Woke up at 2 am and was wide awake. Sat on the balcony, sipping water, and staring at the stars. Amazing. Then, I paced like a caged tiger for two hours. Finally, managed to knock myself out again by sheer willpower.
Day 2: Penguins, Wine, and Mild Panic
Morning (aka, Adorable Overload): Simon's Town again! This time for the Boulders Beach penguin colony. Prepare yourselves: it's cuteness overload. Hundreds of tiny, waddling penguins. They're clumsy, adorable, and slightly smelly (the truth, people!). Spent ages just watching them. Took about a million photos, about 900 of which are blurry.
Afternoon (aka, Wine Country Wanderlust): Okay, the penguins were amazing, but now, wine! Rented a car (which, let’s be real, was a gamble given my limited driving abilities, but whatever!). Drove to the Stellenbosch wine region. Now, I’m not a wine snob. More of a "give me anything that tastes vaguely like grapes" kind of person. But even I was impressed. Gorgeous vineyards as far as the eye can see. Went to two wineries. Tried some delicious wines. Made some questionable purchases. (Did I really need that many bottles of Pinotage?)
Late Afternoon/Early Evening (aka, Getting Lost and Questioning Life Choices): Wrong turn. Somehow, I wound up on a dirt road, completely lost. Panic set in. Thought I was going to be eaten by a lion. (Dramatic, I know. Blame the lack of coffee and general sleep deprivation.) Eventually, managed to navigate my way back to the main road. Vowed to get a GPS and a grip.
Evening (aka, Dinner and a Desperate Plea for Sleep): Dinner at a local restaurant in Stellenbosch. Food was good, but I was beyond exhausted. Back to Craigrownie, where I collapsed in bed. Hoping for a full night's sleep. Praying to the sleep gods.
Day 3: Table Mountain, the View, and a Brush with Death (Okay, Maybe Not Death)
Morning (aka, Up, Up, and Away… and Mild Acrophobia): Table Mountain! Booked a cable car. The queue was long. And while waiting in line, this guy behind me started talking about how the cable car has a bad track record. This did not make me feel any better but, I held on. The view from the top… indescribable. Just breathtaking. Seriously. The city sprawled below, the ocean sparkling in the sun. Spent ages just staring, feeling small and insignificant in the best possible way. (I am terrified of heights, so I don't recommend me trying to climb up the side of the mountain)
Afternoon (aka, The Scariest Picnic Ever): Found a sheltered spot and had a picnic. The wind was ferocious! Made a desperate attempt to keep my sandwich from blowing away. (Pro tip: don't bring a picnic on Table Mountain on a windy day).
Late Afternoon/Early Evening (aka, Exploring the City): Back down the mountain and decided to explore the city center. Had coffee at a charming cafe. Wandered through the Company's Garden. Bought some (more) ridiculous souvenirs. Got stared at a lot. I stick out like a sore thumb.
Evening (aka, A Quiet Night in): Dinner at a restaurant around the corner from Craigrownie. Too tired for anything more elaborate. Early night. Seriously needed it.
Day 4: Chapman's Peak Drive & Coastal Dreaming
Morning (aka, Scenic Bliss and the Smell of the Sea): Chapman's Peak Drive! The coastal road. The views are stunning. Stopped at several viewpoints. Breathed in the salty air. Felt overwhelmingly happy and grateful.
Afternoon (aka, The Beach Day That Almost Went Wrong): Decided to go to a beach I'd been told about on the drive. Found a beautiful beach. It was perfect. Until the wind picked up. Sand whipped into my eyes. My things got covered in sand. Did some sun bathing, nearly burnt alive.
Late Afternoon/Early Evening (aka, Another Wine Tasting… Because Why Not?): Found a small winery by the coast. Enjoyed the wine, but the wind was still howling. Gave up and went back to the guest house.
Evening (aka, Packing and a Deep Dive into the Emotional Exhaustion): Spent the evening slowly packing. Reflecting on the trip. Feeling a mix of excitement for the next adventure and a pang of sadness about leaving this magical place. Realizing I’ve barely scratched the surface of all Cape Town has to offer. Wishing I had more time.
Day 5: Farewell to Cape Town… For Now!
- Morning (aka, Saying Goodbye, and Vowing to Return): Last breakfast at Craigrownie. Said a heartfelt goodbye to Sandra. This place really got to me. Heading to the airport. Promise to return. Cape Town, you have my heart.
Craigrownie Guest House: Cape Town's BEST Kept Secret? (Seriously, Is It?) - Your Questions Answered (Probably)!
Okay, Okay, "Unbelievable Views" – What's the Deal? Is It Actually...View-y?
Alright, let's be real. "Unbelievable Views" is thrown around like confetti, right? But at Craigrownie? Yeah, it's...well, it's *almost* cliché how good it is. You're overlooking Camps Bay, the ocean stretches out forever, and you can practically *feel* the Atlantic breeze. I spent a solid hour, the first time I went, just staring. My jaw legitimately ached from the constant "Ooh" and "Aah" sounds I was making. It's the kind of view that makes you question your life choices (in a good way… mostly!). I mean, even *my* partner – and he’s got the personality of a soggy bread roll - was impressed. That's saying something.
Actually… let me back up. One morning, I woke up and the fog was rolling in. Looked pretty moody, alright? Then, *BOOM!* The sun burst through, and the fog started lifting *slowly*. The view? Like someone painted a postcard *right in front of me*. It was… ethereal. (Sorry, going full artsy-fartsy on you for a sec). But the point is, the view is CONSTANTLY changing, and it’s always…something. Worth it? Absolutely. Just…don't expect perfection every second. Sometimes fog happens. You know, life.
Is It Actually a "Guest House" or Some Fancy Hotel Disguised with a Cheap Sign?
Good question! Because, honestly, the term "Guest House" is often a red flag, right? Sometimes it feels like a glorified B&B with a misleading name. But Craigrownie? Nope. It’s genuinely a guest house, in the BEST possible way. It's got that homey, slightly…*lived-in* charm. Not in a dusty, grandma's-attic way, but in a "this is clearly a loved home" kind of way. You know? There are little quirks, maybe a painting of a slightly wonky lighthouse, all those little things that scream “genuine human beings live here.” It's not sterile, it's not impersonal. It’s…real. And that's important, especially after a transatlantic flight where you're essentially a walking zombie.
One time, I swear I saw the owner, a lovely woman named (I think) Patricia, wandering about in her slippers, talking to a cat. That’s authenticity. She’s also super helpful with tips and can whip up amazing breakfasts (more on that later…)
Breakfast. Is. Important. What’s the Breakfast Situation?
Oh. My. Goodness. Breakfast. Okay, BREATH. It's… exceptional. Forget those sad continental options that usually look like they were sitting under a heat lamp since the dawn of time. Patricia (pretty sure that's her name!) makes a proper, cooked breakfast. Think: perfectly scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, fresh fruit… and, get this, the *best* homemade bread I have ever tasted. Like, I'm not even exaggerating. I piled it on. I ate so much, I probably gained a pound a day. I regret nothing.
And the view? You eat breakfast *looking at that view*. It’s a crime to eat with your back to it. There’s this one time, I was so stuffed, I could barely move. But I just sat there, staring out, utterly content, thinking, "This is the life." It *is* the life, by the way.
Just a heads up: The breakfast can make you lazy to leave. Prepare yourself. Maybe pack some elasticated pants.
Location, Location, Location! Is it Actually Convenient?
Okay, here’s the slightly less perfect truth. Craigrownie is UP. Like, *really* up. The view comes at a price, and that price is a moderately steep hill. So, if you’re not great with hills, or if you're relying on public transport... consider this carefully. Uber/taxis are your friends. Or, embrace the challenge. Think of it as your daily workout. (That’s what I told myself, anyway, after the fourth uphill climb… and after the second piece of that bread.)
But… once you're up there, damn, it's worth it. You're close to Camps Bay beach (a short drive or taxi), the city center is accessible, and you can easily access the cable car to Table Mountain. But… if you're planning on popping in and out several times a day, factor in travel time.
The Rooms! What Can I Expect? Are They Clean? Modern? Do I Have to Worry about Creaky Beds?
The rooms are… comfortable. Not necessarily polished, "designer-magazine" modern. They are clean. *Honestly* clean, not that hollow, "surface clean" you get at some places. They're well-maintained, and the beds are pretty comfy. Creaky beds? Maybe. Look, it’s a guest house, not a five-star hotel. There's a certain charm that goes with slightly older furniture or a few small marks on chairs; things you might find in a well-loved home.
The views from the rooms? Most rooms have stunning views - so book one that does! Ask for it specifically. Because waking up to that, again, is a game changer. Seriously. It’s the kind of thing you’ll brag about to your friends. Or, at least, I did.
One tiny, tiny gripe, and I'm being REALLY picky here: the Wi-Fi can be a bit patchy. But hey, it’s also GREAT for disconnecting from the world if you need to. Embrace the digital detox.
What’s the Vibe? Is it Relaxed? Formal? Will I Feel Out of Place?
Relaxed. Utterly relaxed. It's not a place where you need to dress up. Come as you are. Patricia and her team (I think there's a team! Everyone seems so chill!) are incredibly welcoming. You'll actually chat with the other guests at breakfast. I'm not a "chatty" person, but even *I* found myself chatting to the other guests. It’s just that kind of place.
It’s like staying in a friendly friend's house - if your friend had an insane view and made ridiculously good breakfasts. You won't feel out of place unless you're actively trying to be difficult. And honestly, if you're that difficult, maybe you should just stay away from the view, and let us enjoy it!
