Hout Bay Mansion

YOUR STAY This is the place to be… a private estate nestled in nature. Maison Noir is a destination for your senses.  Tranquility is key at Maison Noir, designed to incorporate the surrounding landscape, with sweeping views of the expansive mountains and sky from just about every room. With five luxurious bedrooms, Maison Noir is designed for privacy and connection to the outdoors. This exclusive serviced villa sleeps 10 (with more space for kids). It is yours to share with loved ones for holidays and special celebrations, to further business ventures, brainstorming with colleagues, or to reconnect and to rejuvenate your soul. THE VILLA Designed through a collaboration with architect Paolo Deliperi, the Maison is rooted in the concept of the ‘kraal’ – an enclosed series of small buildings. Glass-lined passages and a focus on inside-outside living, ours is a modern interpretation integrated into the surrounding landscape. This small private ‘village’ is rich with natural light, koi ponds, pools and open-air spaces. Both interior and exterior design details signify the four elements – sky, water, fire and earth – and draw on the African, French, Indonesian and global traditions that have defined Cape Town for centuries. The result is a destination that feels as private and secluded as if you are at the ends of the earth, despite being centrally located just moments away from Hout Bay, the legendary city of Cape Town and the renowned Cape Wine region. A bright curved gallery with two floating fireplaces connects the generous main suite and guest rooms to the Maison’s social spaces, pool, koi ponds, chef’s kitchen and outdoor dining rooms. The supremely spacious home includes two king-sized master suites as well as three luxurious guest suites, each with its own loft bedroom, cloistered open-air shower and direct access to garden areas. Cooking is a delight in the beautifully equipped kitchen, although guests looking for a total break may choose to book the services of a private chef. Contemporary comforts include high-speed WiFi, the media room where you can enjoy movies and a wine cellar. AT HOME With its profoundly tranquil and private atmosphere, Maison Noir is a magical hideaway. We guarantee you’ll relish every relaxing second you spend at home. Even though it is situated just 30 minutes’ drive from the centre of Cape Town, its glorious sense of seclusion and remoteness is enhanced by the seamless flow of the indoor-outdoor spaces and the sheer beauty of its indigenous gardens and surrounding mountain views. To ensure you have a top-notch experience, the home is complete with a beautiful swimming pool (heated on request), entertainment areas, private cinema and stocked wine cellar for when you want to relax and cocoon at home. All this is rounded off by the staff members, who will treat you like royalty, with warm personal service that is always attentive yet utterly discreet.

MAISON POOLSIDE

Celebrate South Africa’s sunshine lifestyle beside our sparkling swimming pool, fed by our private well point or borehole. Spend at least one day poolside. Take a refreshing plunge in the heated pool. Nap on a sunbed or relax under the shaded poolside spaces. Enjoy breakfast or a late lunch on the pool deck. Sip cocktails. And at the end of the day, savour the flavours of a traditional South African braai (BBQ) at sunset.

IN-HOME DINING

The Maison kitchen library is fully stocked with inspiring cookbooks, and the professional pantry can be filled with your choice of ingredients on request. We take the pleasure of food seriously and will help you to source the finest local purveyors of meat, cheese and baked goods or fare from organic vegetable farms or our herb garden. Our well-equipped chef’s kitchen makes cooking at home a pleasure, but if you are in the mood to be indulged completely, why not request our delicious in-house continental breakfasts or ask us to arrange a private chef to prepare dinners during your stay? Your selected chef will create menus based on your personal tastes. Additional fees for meals are discussed and approved by you in advance. We recommend you take advantage of our sunset barbecues beside the pool. We can arrange anything from a cooking class with a local chef to meeting the makers and small-batch producers of artisanal produce and beverages; or food pairings with fine South African wines.   SUITES Designed for absolute comfort, Maison Noir’s five generous bedrooms – comprising two expansive master suites and three luxurious guest suites – sleep 10 guests en suite, with capacity for additional children in supremely comfortable lofts. King-sized beds spread with the finest linens, luxurious duck-down pillows and duvets, air-conditioning and heating in all the bedrooms ensure year-round sleeping comfort. All bedrooms feature private full bathrooms with a bath and shower, while the three guest suites include individual outdoor hot showers set in lush, secluded surroundings. The three guest suites each include a loft bedroom where children can be accommodated, providing flexibility for families, with access to the garden and pool area. The two master suites each have their own TV lounge areas and suite five, downstairs, has its own entrance. UKUBONA With direct and majestic mountain views, the light and airy Ukubona master suite takes its name from the Xhosa word meaning ‘to see’. This holds special meaning here: there is perhaps no better inspiration than the diversity and beauty of the surroundings that thrive just outside your window, and the new experiences you will discover. ISITIYA Inspired by the garden, the newest master suite at Maison Noir is a rich and tranquil space that invites quiet contemplation. Butterflies, bearded irises and delicate orchids abound in its striking botanical wallpaper. Isitiya has its own private entrance with parking, as well as its own enclosed garden. QUAGGA Named for the extinct plains zebra that roamed South Africa until the early 19th century, luxurious Quagga symbolizes the mystique and beauty of the region as told through historic art and literature. The spacious loft includes a seating area and desk, and can double as extra sleeping space if required for children. FYNBOS Fynbos is the natural shrubland or heathland vegetation occurring in a small belt of the Western Cape of South Africa. In fields related to biogeography, fynbos is known for its exceptional degree of biodiversity and endemism. This serene suite pays tribute to this rich plant heritage. Step out the sliding doors into the beautiful garden or retreat to the loft to relax with a good book. INCANDA This beautiful guest suite takes its name from the Xhosa word for porcupine. A seemingly soft creature from afar, the porcupine possesses an inherent surprise in its naturally protective quills, subtly reflected in the suite’s decorative details. A loft room does double duty as a quiet relaxation zone or extra bedroom for kids.