Simply being in a beautiful setting away from the normal pressures of home and work, soaking up the sounds, scents, and visuals, breathing in all those feel good vibes from the circulating negative ions. The ebb and flow of the waves de-stimulate our brains, making us feel calm and peaceful, slowing us down allowing us to relax and feel more engaged.
Just staring at the ocean actually changes our brain waves’ frequency and puts us into a mildly meditative state. Its a fact being by the sea makes us feel good, and if you like remote and isolated to go with your ocean fix, Tintswalo Atlantic is just the place to immerse in nature, switch off, and disconnect in a low-key hideaway in a unique, and stunning location on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean, approximately 16 miles south of downtown Cape Town, and a 35-40 minute drive along a beautiful coastline.
The name ‘Tintswalo’ is a native Shangaan word which means ‘the intangible feeling of love, gratitude and peace that you bestow upon someone who has given you a meaningful and worthy gift.’
Arriving at Tintswalo Atlantic
Excitement mounts as you travel along the dizzyingly windy Chapman’s Peak Drive, fondly known as Chappies, and revered as one of the world’s most scenic highways, with an incredible 114 curves in a 9km stretch and staggering panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean and the Western Mountains of the Cape Peninsula on the other. It looks amazing!
Once through the gates, you’re whisked down a steep winding track through gorgeous fynbos to the expansive ocean below. The smell of the sea, and the sound of the waves crashing on the pebbled beach are breathtaking. You immediately relax.
Tintswalo Atlantic is a boutique hotel owned by mother and daughter team, Gaye Corbett, and her daughter, Lisa Goosen, who focus on creating out of the ordinary places where each location offers something special. There are six Tintswalo Properties including Tintswalo Atlantic; Tintswalo Safari Lodge, Tintswalo Manor House, Tintswalo Boulders, Tintswalo Family Camp and Tintswalo Lapalala.
The Hotel has Eco Credentials
It was important to us that Tintswalo has a light footprint with as little impact visually and environmentally as possible”, Lisa tells me. The duo sought to achieve, “a chic, subtle and comfortable aesthetic – a place to feel at home, but also where you can be spoiled a little in the understated surroundings of a luxury of a five-star lodge, while enjoying Mother Nature at its best”.
Perched above a pebbled beach at the foot of Chapman’s Peak Tintswalo Atlantic sits sheltered by the Table Mountain National Park, and is the only hotel permitted to operate within the boundaries of the word-renowned Heritage site.
The Rooms at Tintswalo Atlantic
Ten wood-and-glass suites sit perched side by side on stilts between ancient Milkwood trees have awe-inspiring views of Hout Bay and Sentinel Hill. It’s distinctive peak a sheer cliff dropping to the ocean marks the western end of the bay.
All suites have private ocean-facing terraces, fireplaces, and chandeliers that dangle from exposed wood ceilings, with vast beds, free standing bathtubs and huge showers, all with commanding sea-views, accompanied by the soothing sounds of the ocean lapping the shore beneath you. The two-bedroom presidential suite sits higher on the mountain.
Tintswalo Atlantic’s Facilities
The new private guest lounge, and bar is sylishly decorated with a touch of glamour, and includes a cosy fireplace, as well as outdoor seating under the Milkwood trees, that leads to the Massage Room and a pool with a sun deck to leisurely relax as the stresses melt away, sip a cocktail or two, and steps down to the pebbly beach where you will find the swinging sofa— the perfect place to chill with the waves whipping at your feet, looking out for dolphins frolicking in the bay, and in season you have a prime view of passing whales.
The only decision you need to make is where to enjoy the mesmerising views from to indulge yourself in the simple pleasure of doing nothing. Just switch off and enjoy this fabulous location, on your deck, chilling on the pool loungers sipping your favourite tipple, enjoying an alfresco massage on your deck, or in the massage room. Leisurely evenings start with complimentary cocktails and canapés at the guest lodge watching the sun go down. Then it’s time for a romantic dinner.
Dining at Tinstwalo Atlantic
Tintswalo is home to Chefs Warehouse Tinstwalo Atlantic, an exciting joint venture between one of Cape Town’s most loved chefs, Liam Tomlin, and the hotel. The restaurant is open to all, so even if you’re not a hotel guest, you can book for one of the famed tapas tasting menu’s and enjoy oceanic treasures, including fresh oysters and seared tuna.
Incredibly the restaurant was awarded ‘Africa’s Best New Restaurant’ in the 2021 World Culinary Awards in its first year and included in the coveted Condé Nast Traveller Readers Awards as one of the Best New Restaurants in the World. You are in for a treat.
Warehouse at Tintswalo Atlantic features Liam Tomlin’s fine-dining quality global tapas concept brought to table by Chef Patron Ivor Jones, General Manager Jami de Witt and Head Chef Braam Beyers. Braam has been at Chefs Warehouse Beau Constantia since 2017 after returning from the Institut Paul Bocuse in Lyon, France. He has worked his way up from a junior position to being appointed senior sous chef upon his return from New York after “staging” at Aska as well as 3 Michelin star restaurant, eleven Madison Park.
Fine Dining Global Tapas Concept
The “tapas for two” menu draws inspiration from its surroundings—the magnificent Atlantic Ocean and the sprawling fynbos in a celebration of fresh, local and sustainable ingredients. A menu of eight globally inspired small plates split into four courses is served on the sprawling wooden deck, overlooking the idyllic views of the ocean, mountains, and fynbos while enjoying the fresh sea breeze. Or in the elegant and understated contemporary dining room where the decoration echoes nature’s colour palette of blues and greens.
Chef’s Warehouse fans can expect a “Tintswalo” take on the oyster course. All four eateries have an oyster course with a unique twist, and a signature seasonally driven risotto changes weekly. The menu changes daily according to season and the day’s catch, and comes with vegetarian and vegan options. You can also complement the eight seasonal small plates with a cheese course or a selection of desserts or indulge in an additional caviar course.
Dinner starts with a glass of Colmant MCC in hand, and gorgeously enriched “kitka” bread glazed with honey and rosemary together with curry leaf, tomato and beetroot dusted butter makes for a superb bread course with which to start the meal.
Expect delicious dishes such as Sashimi with num num, pomegranate & coconut dressing, verjuice jellies and thai basil, Pine ring mushroom tartare, barbecued oyster mushrooms, smoked baba ganoush, puffed sorghum, and Barbecued pickled linefish, coconut, fried curry leaves and goat’s yogurt, and roasted quail with celeriac, quail leg & beluga lentil tart and sorghum jus.
Returning to your suite is a joy, a roaring fire means its delightfully warm and cosy, as you lie in bed with the stars and the lights of nearby Hout Bay twinkling through the balcony windows. The ever-present waves washing up on the shore lulling you to sleep and waking you with the rising sun over the ocean—what bliss!
Things to do Nearby
Hout Bay is a former fishing village, has managed to maintain its unique combination of fishing harbour and country atmosphere. Its long, sandy beach bay framed by mountains is magnificent. Capetonians throng here over weekends to partake of the local fish & chips and to catch a glimpse of the resident Cape seals that make the harbour their home.
Walk on the beach, hike and cycle in the surrounding mountains, and enjoy abseiling, game fishing, sea kayaking, and boat trips to Seal Island. Or try some horse riding – there are some excellent horse trails in and around the valley. Sentinal hill, seal island. Dine al fresco and visit the Sunday Craft Market.
Take a wonderful drive along Victoria Road from Hout Bay to Camps Bay and from Hout Bay to Noordhoek along Chapman’s Peak Drive – both have spectacular views of mountains and sea.
Our Verdict
At breakfast, on our last day, we are invited to share the Tintswalo Wishing Stone Tradition. When Lisa and Gaye first set eyes on the location, they threw stones into the ocean wishing that one day they would build a Tintswalo property here, and thankfully for us, the wish came true. The family want to share their good fortune, and invite guests to make a personal wish before they leave, presenting you with a personal invitation, a magic marker and a smooth pebble on which to write your desire and to throw it over your left shoulder into the sea.
Here, at Tintswalo the old adage location, location, location, is very true. Tintswalo arguably has this in spades as one of the only places in South Africa right on the ocean, where you can genuinely be in complete seclusion.
Lisa tells me the most common feedback from guests is that they feel it is a unique place with a spiritual pull. That drifting to sleep to the sound of the sea and waking up at Tintswalo Atlantic is an unforgettable experience. “It is a place that feeds the soul”, Lisa says.
In winter, the evenings may be cooler, but more often than not, the sun is shining, but whatever the weather, the views are mesmerising, hypnotic even, and always relaxing.
You will remember Tintswalo for a long time.
An internationally recognised interior architect and landscape designer, she has worked on numerous projects around the world. An eye for detail and love of all things art, architecture, travel and design have led to a nomadic lifestyle resulting in a greater focus on travel and lifestyle feature writing. She is a contributor for a range of international print publications. Living between Hong Kong, Cape Town, and London, traveling anywhere.
