Heritage-meets-modern hideaway opens in Cape Town’s southern suburbs

The Sabi Sabi Collection extends its signature South African hospitality beyond the bushveld with The Claremont Boutique Hotel, a restored 1928 manor in Cape Town’s southern suburbs

Blending heritage architecture with contemporary calm, The Claremont Boutique Hotel has introduced Sabi Sabi’s understated safari ethos to Cape Town’s southern suburbs. Located in Claremont, a tranquil pocket beneath the eastern slopes of Table Mountain, the 15-room property marks a new chapter for the Sabi Sabi Collection. Known for its lodges in the Sabi Sand bushveld, the brand now extends its four-decade legacy of South African hospitality into the city, reimagining a 1928 manor as a boutique retreat.

Designed by Magdalena Gertrude Sauer – the country’s first registered female architect – the original home has been carefully restored to preserve its proportions and character. High ceilings, arched windows and bronze detailing now frame interiors defined by natural light, local art and a calm, neutral palette.

Accommodation ranges from Classic and Deluxe Rooms to the exclusive Sauer Villa, set across the Manor House and garden buildings. The property also features a pool, spa and sauna, reflecting a focus on privacy and relaxation rather than scale.

Dining draws on regional ingredients and a sense of place. Veld & Vine Bistro pairs Western Cape produce with Mediterranean influences, while Koffiehuis serves coffee, high tea and light meals throughout the day. Evenings centre on the 1928 Craft Bar, where South African wines and small-batch spirits take the lead.

Public areas such as The Safari Room and The Sun Lounge provide relaxed social spaces, referencing the warmth and conviviality of Sabi Sabi’s lodges. “The Claremont reflects everything our guests value in the bush – authenticity, heritage and warmth – while offering a new way to experience Cape Town,” says Jacques Smit, Marketing Director of the Sabi Sabi Collection.

Close to Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, the Constantia winelands and the Atlantic Seaboard, The Claremont positions Sabi Sabi within a broader South African journey, connecting the city and the bush through one design-led philosophy of hospitality.

thesabisabicollection.com

The details

Rates at Masiya’s Camp start from ZAR 52,500 (about AU$4,510) per person, inclusive of luxury accommodation, all meals and beverages, and two daily game drives. The camp is now open for reservations. theroyalportfolio.com