Beaumont House, South Africa

During our recent trip to South Africa we had the pleasure of staying at Beaumont House, a beautifully renovated Villa which now serves as a boutique guest lodge boasting five luxurious suites. Gill and Peter Deering were superb hosts and we felt we should share the knowledge of this resort for any would-be visitors to Cape Town looking for a quieter more intimate experience, just a short drive from the very heart of the city.

Africa Calling
Having met in 1979 whilst both working in West Africa, it was to be almost 20 years before Peter and Gill Deering (the owners of Beaumont House) re-visited this beautiful continent, despite having both traveled the world extensively for both work and pleasure. But the pull of Africa was too strong!! Immediately they set foot on African soil again, they both felt as if they had come home. The return to Africa was the result of work – this time Peter’s. It was a two year contract at the end of which they were to be re-assigned back to the UK. In fact, so confident were they about returning that Gill’s job was put ‘on hold’ (with British Airways), pending her return.

The Decision To Stay
“We both felt we were home!” was the retort. Their first few days were about familiarization - driving around clutching a road map until they were told – ‘it’s not possible to get lost. Just look for the mountain and head towards it!’ The beginnings of sat nav??!! The majesty of Table Mountain never fails to impress – even now, many years later, when looking up and heading towards it driving back to Beaumont House. “How can you possibly leave when there is so much excitement and such friendly people?” they add. Throw in the vast array of sights to see, activities in which to participate and the fact that their hobbies comprised fell-walking, wine, golf and culture and the question could
only be ‘how could we ever leave?” And of course there’s the fabulous climate.

The Challenges About Building Beaumont House
Gill’s view is that the most challenging aspect (and yet, eventually, the most satisfying) was breaking from the normal view of a typical luxury 5* boutique hotel. She wanted to combine the elegance and spaciousness of a stately country house with the sophisticated, airy feel of a contemporary, sun-drenched penthouse. Finding the artisans and specialists, together with sourcing the actual materials to make this dream happen was difficult on the tip of Africa. It is often difficult for people in Europe to appreciate that you cannot just pop into selfridges/John Lewis, choose your item and have it delivered!!!

Every item of the infrastructure and furniture has its own story. From sourcing solid wood at the timber factory, having it sawn and planed into floorboards and then getting down on hands and knees with the paint specialist until they felt the colour was just right! The result is the beautiful solid oak floor in the breakfast room/guest lounge which blends in beautifully with the existing original oak floors. Even such simple things as luggage racks proved a challenge. But a bit of lateral thinking and the South African rimpie benches were put to another use! Many guests comment on the calm effect of the paint colours. Little do they know how many tins of paint were dabbed on the walls to be left to dry overnight for viewing the next day. There are no such things as paint testers in South Africa so it was all trial and error. And the huge bathrooms left the contractors thinking there must be some mistake! They had to be reassured that the dimensions were totally correct – especially the showers which actually measure almost 2 metres in length.

What Makes Beaumont House Special?
It is the personal concierge service that keeps bringing guests back to Beaumont House. The service starts well before arrival. From the moment a guest makes a booking, they are contacted to offer assistance with such things as restaurant bookings, tour bookings, and golf tee-off times – all things which are usually fully booked in high season if left until arrival.

Many guests have commented that by the time they arrive, they feel as if they are already meeting old friends. On arrival, either Peter or Gill is always on hand to take care of your every need, starting immediately with a personal welcome to Beaumont House – whatever time you arrive. Keen to visit a wine farm but unsure which of the 500 in the Western Cape is right for you? Beaumont House is less than 10 minutes from the Constantia wine route, 40 minutes from the Stellenbosch wine route and less than an hour from the Franschhoek wine route. Peter is passionate about tailoring wine visits to the needs of the individual. He will chat through your preferences and maybe help with the odd taster from his own cellar before sending you off complete with map and itinerary, (and perhaps a driver so you can really get into the tastings) for a day made in heaven.

With 13 golf courses within 30 minutes of Beaumont House, which one will be your challenge? Again, Peter can advise and should you be the golf widow(er), Gill can suggest a fabulous spa that can be combined with a day on the golf course. Everything will be booked for you – just arrive and enjoy!

Why not end the day at one of many award winning restaurants in the vicinity of Beaumont House? World renowned chefs through to easy going Bistros – how to choose? Gill & Peter are foodies who like nothing better than to keep up to date with restaurants’ latest offerings/menus/chefs. Then, walk it off the next day with a leisurely stroll through leafy lanes that take you to Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens –a mere 2.5kms from Beaumont House! Join in a guided walk of the gardens and the indigenous plants or sit in the shade and enjoy afternoon tea. Even better, why not pack a picnic and enjoy the weekly concerts held in Kirstenbosch at the foot of Table Mountain every Sunday in
high season (December-March). Whilst the concert might only be one hour, this is an experience where old and young alike enjoy not just the concert but the beauty and splendour of the magnificent setting, ending at dusk. For the more energetic, this is also one of the starting points for the many walks on Table Mountain.

Back to the hotel itself. The décor is decidedly individual – commissioned furniture and contemporary light fittings play alongside genuine antiques and Murano chandeliers. The floor to ceiling glass disappears into the wall around the breakfast room and guest lounge, making you feel as if you are outside yet protected from the strong African sun. The mischievous fun elements dotted around ensure this is no stuffy 5* hotel – little bowls of Jelly beans, Alessi egg cup men complete with salt cellar hats and splashes of colour.

The Iconic Bette Davis
With such large (15 sq.m.), high ceilinged, contemporary bathrooms, Gill and Peter both felt there needed to be a ‘cosy’ factor as well as a focal point. They knew they wanted oversized paintings but of what? Another flashback! This time to rainy afternoons in winter in the UK many years ago which would find Gill and a friend curled up on the sofa, fire roaring, glass of wine in hand watching the old black & white movies which invariable featured Bette Davis and usually resulted in happy tears!!! It invoked a feeling of warmth which resulted in the long lashed beauty taking centre stage on an enormous canvas watching over you whilst you bathe!

The Clients
90% of guests are from overseas – UK, France, Germany, Austria, Greece, Switzerland, USA, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Hong Kong – the list goes on. However, the highest percentage of guests are from the UK (approximately 80%).

Guest Feedback
Nearly all guests have commented on the feeling of calm – yet Beaumont House is only 15 minutes from the centre of Cape Town and all its attractions. They view it as a calm, indulgent oasis! They also love the personal service which ensures their holiday begins immediately they arrive. The décor and in particular, the bathrooms, is also a talking point. As one guest commented – ‘with showers large enough to host your own party’!! The average stay is 10 days. This is split between guests staying 4 or 5 days at the beginning or end of a Garden Route tour and those guests who stay 2 weeks or more making Beaumont House a destination in its own right. They have already had return guests who started with the former but felt they had missed so much, they returned but this time for 2 weeks!!

There is so much to see and do both within the immediate vicinity and farther afield – Peter and Gill are still finding new places to visit and recommend even after all these years. South Africa is at an exciting phase of its history with progress being made at an incredible pace – and of course 2010 is fuelling much of its development. However long guests stay at Beaumont House, it never seems long enough – perhaps that’s why they keep coming back?

For more details on staying at Beaumont House contact:
Gill Deering on +27 21 761 5540 or
email gill@beaumonthouse.co.za


Courtesy of Perspective Magazine - subscribe free here to view the full color version in the February 2008 edition