Pineapple House: Style, Warmth And Character In Cape Town’s Charming Sea Point

Sarah Kingdom checks in at Pineapple House Boutique Hotel, where creative design meets genuine hospitality, in one of Cape Town’s most walkable neighbourhoods.

Pineapple House isn’t trying to compete with Cape Town’s grand hotels, it doesn’t need to. The creation of design couple, Rupert and Lesley Sykes, it’s a clever reinvention of two adjoining Victorian houses into a fourteen-room boutique guesthouse. Hidden in suburban Sea Point, halfway between the mountains and the sea, it feels more like you’re turning up at a stylish friend’s home than a hotel.

We’d arrived at night, after a long day of travel. I’d put way too much faith in my own sense of direction and that of Google Maps, and consequently had gotten us a little lost. But as soon as we stepped in the door, all that was forgotten.

The façade, painted in a soft blush pink, fit perfectly into the quiet, residential street. Stepping inside we found a funky open space, with decor that looked straight out of the pages of a design magazine; a combination of art deco, mid-century modern, and contemporary. A splash of citrus yellow here, a vivid textile there, and inevitably a pineapple motif or two worked into the decor. Exposed brick and colourful fabrics met polished concrete and bold artwork, much of it local. There was also a cast-iron fireplace, the perfect spot to sit on a slightly chilly evening.

Check-in happened somewhere between a chat about local wines, recommendations for nearby restaurants, and the ‘low down’ on the following morning’s breakfast. We were handed the key to our room and pointed in the direction of the honesty bar, before we’d even thought to ask.

The Rooms

Each of the 14 rooms here has its own personality and unique character, and that’s not just ‘brochure speak’. Some are cosy, tucked into the eaves, while others open onto courtyards or balconies shaded by shutters. Ours had a wide bed with crisp, cool, white linen, views of Lion’s Head and Signal Hill, and the faint whiff of salt drifting in from the ocean. All rooms have lovely bathrooms (most only with showers), with contrasting monochromatic tiles and romantically lit mirrors.

The rooms score high for character and quirky details, with each one treated as a mini project, with its own unique colour palette. If you’re wanting a white minimalist cube, then look elsewhere, but if you love an ornate jewellery box feel, with painted walls, eclectic antiques and op shop finds, along with colourful, contrasting fabrics and wallpaper, then you’ve come to the right place.

As for the rest of the property, the owners have used every possible inch available, creating a choice of lovely outdoor courtyards and seating areas, most with water features, and there’s even a rooftop plunge pool.

Food

Breakfast was served and prepared in the open-plan kitchen – a breakfast buffet of cut fruit, berries, a choice of yoghurts and cereals, croissants and breads, laid out on the kitchen island. The hot breakfast menu was simple and unfussy: full English, eggs Benedict, eggs Florentine, French toast, a variety of omelettes and a breakfast tortilla wrap. It was the kind of breakfast that encourages you to take your time and chat with your fellow guests.

Later in the day, the little courtyards and the rooftop plunge pool catch the sunlight, making them good spots to spend time with a book or a glass of something cold. Evenings at Pineapple House are easy-going affairs, again spent with a glass of wine by the pool or on the terrace, before heading out somewhere local to eat.

Location

Pineapple House is a few minutes’ walk from Table Mountain National Park, Sea Point Promenade, and bustling Regent Road. It’s a great choice if you like walking to restaurants. You can join the locals strolling or cycling the length of the ocean-hugging Sea Point Promenade, or head to Saunders Rock tidal pool, where locals watch the sun set or take their daily cold-water-immersion dip.

Besides being near the highlights of trendy Sea Point, Pineapple House is also only a 5-minute drive from the V&A Waterfront and 10 minutes from Table Mountain itself. It’s just around the corner from the world-famous Camps Bay Beach and is also well situated for the hop-on-hop-off City Sightseeing bus.

Service

Reception is not 24-7 but whoever is on duty doesn’t depart until the last guest is home for the night. There’s a concierge service and the hotel has a small fleet of luxury vehicles and a comprehensive list of half or full-day trips which can be tailor-made to your requirements.

Cape Town has no shortage of hotels that promise views, design, or drama, but Pineapple House offers something rarer: sincerity. It’s comfortable without being precious, stylish without showing off; every corner reflects the owners’ enthusiasm for creating something personal, and it’s run by people who genuinely seem to like having you there. It’s a stylish little oasis.