Cape Town's BEST Self-Catering: Amies Apartments (Unbeatable Views!)
Amies Apartments: My Love Letter (and a Few Grumbles) to Cape Town's Best Self-Catering
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because I'm about to spill the tea (or should I say, the Rooibos?) on Amies Apartments, the self-catering place in Cape Town that's got me seriously considering selling all my worldly possessions and moving in. Forget the Instagram filters, I'm here to give you the REAL scoop. And yes, I'm talking about those Unbeatable Views! – the kind that make you want to weep with joy (or at least, take a million photos).
Let's be honest, finding the perfect self-catering spot is like searching for the Holy Grail. You want stunning views, a comfy bed, and the freedom to eat pizza in your pyjamas at 2 AM. Amies Apartments, for the most part, delivers. Let's dive in, shall we?
The "Wow" Factor: Views, Views, Glorious Views!
Seriously, the first time I walked into my apartment, I literally gasped. I'm talking that "lost-for-words-and-just-point-at-the-mountain" kind of gasp. These apartments boast Unbeatable Views! and they live up to the hype. You're talking panoramic vistas of the ocean, Table Mountain looming majestically, and the city sprawling below. It's the kind of view that makes you feel like you've won the lottery. I spent a good hour just glued to the window, watching the sunset paint the sky in fiery oranges and purples. Utterly breathtaking. And yes, I took approximately 500 photos. No regrets.
Accessibility: A Mixed Bag (But Mostly Good!)
Okay, let's be real: accessibility is always a crucial factor. I'm happy to report that Amies Apartments has made a real effort, but there's room for improvement.
- Wheelchair Accessible: This is where things get a little tricky. While there's an Elevator (thank the heavens!), some of the apartments might have internal steps or tight doorways. It's crucial to contact them beforehand and confirm the specific accessibility features of the apartment you book. Don't just assume!
- Facilities for Disabled Guests: They've got some facilities, but again, it's best to inquire in advance about specific needs.
- Other Access Features: Front desk [24-hour] is a huge plus, and the Doorman is always a friendly face.
Cleanliness and Safety: They're Taking It Seriously!
In this post-pandemic world, cleanliness is paramount. Amies Apartments seems to get it.
- Anti-viral cleaning products: Check!
- Daily disinfection in common areas: Check!
- Rooms sanitized between stays: Check!
- Hand sanitizer: Available everywhere.
- Staff trained in safety protocol: Definitely noticed.
- Rooms sanitized between stays: Phew!
- First aid kit: Always a good thing.
- Safe dining setup: Though, I mostly made my own meals, so I can't fully attest to this.
I felt safe and secure, which is a massive weight off your shoulders when you're traveling. They've got CCTV in common areas and CCTV outside property, plus Security [24-hour].
The Apartment Itself: Comfort and Convenience
This is where Amies Apartments really shines. My apartment was a haven of comfort.
- Available in all rooms: Everything you need, seriously.
- Air conditioning: Essential for those hot Cape Town days.
- Free Wi-Fi: (And it actually works!) Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!
- Air conditioning in public area: They got it.
- Additional toilet: Always a bonus.
- Alarm clock: Woke up on time to see the sun rise, every day.
- Bathrobes: Luxurious touch.
- Bathroom phone: Fancy!
- Bathtub: Perfect for soaking after a day of exploring.
- Blackout curtains: Crucial for sleeping in after a wine tasting.
- Closet: Plenty of space for your holiday wardrobe.
- Coffee/tea maker: Essential for my caffeine fix. Complimentary tea too!
- Daily housekeeping: (Hallelujah!)
- Desk: Great for catching up on emails (or pretending to work while gazing at the view).
- Extra long bed: Finally, a bed that fits my 6'2" frame!
- Free bottled water: Hydration is key!
- Hair dryer: Saved me from looking like a drowned rat.
- High floor: Views, views, views!
- In-room safe box: For your valuables.
- Internet access – wireless: Speedy and reliable.
- Ironing facilities: Because wrinkles are a no-no.
- Laptop workspace: Convenient.
- Linens: Crisp and clean.
- Mini bar: Temptation at your fingertips.
- Mirror: For admiring your holiday glow.
- Non-smoking: (Thank goodness!)
- Private bathroom: Privacy is a luxury.
- Reading light: Perfect for late-night novel sessions.
- Refrigerator: Stocked with deliciousness.
- Satellite/cable channels: Entertainment sorted.
- Seating area: Comfy spot to relax.
- Separate shower/bathtub: Luxurious.
- Shower: Powerful and refreshing.
- Slippers: A nice touch.
- Smoke detector: Safety first.
- Socket near the bed: Crucial for charging your phone.
- Sofa: Perfect for lounging.
- Soundproofing: Peaceful sleep.
- Telephone: Old school, but useful.
- Toiletries: Good quality.
- Towels: Fluffy and plentiful.
- Umbrella: Because Cape Town weather can be unpredictable.
- Wake-up service: Reliable.
- Window that opens: Fresh air, baby!
The Amenities: Let's Get Pampered (and Maybe Work Out)
Okay, this is where things get interesting. Amies Apartments has a good selection of amenities, but it's not a full-blown resort.
- Swimming pool: (Outdoor). The pool with view is a major plus. The view from the pool is, you guessed it, amazing.
- Gym/fitness center: I intended to use it. I really did. But the wine tasting schedule was just too demanding. (Maybe next time!)
- Spa/sauna: (Though I didn't see any, so double check.)
- Massage: (Also not sure about this, so check.)
Dining and Drinking: Self-Catering Freedom!
This is the beauty of self-catering, right? You have complete control over your culinary destiny.
- Kitchen: Fully equipped. I cooked some amazing meals.
- Restaurants: Plenty of fantastic restaurants within walking distance, offering International cuisine in restaurant, and even Vegetarian restaurant options.
- Snack bar: For those emergency chocolate cravings.
Services and Conveniences: Making Life Easier
Amies Apartments really scores here.
- Concierge: Super helpful with recommendations and bookings.
- Daily housekeeping: A lifesaver!
- Laundry service: Essential for longer stays.
- Luggage storage: Always a plus.
- Cash withdrawal: Convenient.
- Car park [free of charge]: Huge bonus in Cape Town!
Things to Do: Cape Town at Your Doorstep
Amies Apartments is perfectly positioned for exploring all that Cape Town has to offer.
- Airport transfer: Easy peasy.
- Taxi service: Readily available.
- Car park [on-site]: Convenient.
For the Kids & Family: (Mostly) Covered
- Family/child friendly: Yes, but again, check specific apartment suitability.
- Babysitting service: If you need a night out.
The Small Annoyances (Because Nothing's Perfect)
Okay, let's be real, nothing is perfect. My apartment, while amazing, had a few minor quirks.
- The Wi-Fi, while generally good, occasionally dropped out. (Minor gripe, honestly.)
- The kitchen, while well-equipped, could have had a few more utensils.
- I wish they had a small convenience store on-site, just for those last-minute essentials.
My Final Verdict: Book It! (But Do Your Homework)
Amies Apartments is a fantastic choice for a self-catering stay in Cape Town. The Unbeatable Views! alone are worth the price of admission. The apartments are comfortable, well-equipped, and conveniently located. The staff is friendly and helpful.
Here's my advice:
- Book it! Seriously, go do it now.
- **Contact
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because this isn't your average travel itinerary. This is the real deal, the messy, the glorious, the "I-need-a-nap-after-writing-this" version of a trip to Amies Self-Catering Apartments in Cape Town. Prepare for tangents, opinions, and the distinct possibility of me forgetting what I was talking about halfway through. Here we go…
Cape Town Chaos: A Self-Catering Saga at Amies Apartments (and the inevitable aftermath)
Day 1: Arrival & Immediate Regret (Just Kidding… Mostly)
- Morning (7:00 AM - 10:00 AM): Wake up in London, the weather is predictably grey. Fly to Cape Town. The flight? A blur of airplane food, questionable movie choices, and the existential dread of being trapped in a metal tube for 12 hours. I’m pretty sure the guy next to me snored the entire time. I’m already annoyed.
- Afternoon (12:00 PM - 2:00 PM): Touchdown! The air hits you like a warm, spicy blanket. Cape Town, you saucy minx, you. Immigration? Smooth sailing, surprisingly. The baggage claim, however, was a slow-motion nightmare. Waiting…waiting… Is my suitcase even here? Finally, it emerges, looking battered and slightly ashamed.
- Afternoon (2:00 PM - 3:30 PM): Uber to Amies Apartments. The driver, a chatty local, informs me I'm going to love it here. He's probably right. The drive is gorgeous, the mountains looming like benevolent giants. Then we're there. Amies. Okay, it looks…clean. And the view from the balcony is genuinely breathtaking. Okay, maybe I'm not annoyed anymore.
- Afternoon (3:30 PM - 5:00 PM): Check-in. The woman at reception is lovely, though I'm convinced she's secretly judging my travel-weariness. I fumble with the key, drop it, and manage to unlock the door. Success! Then I realize I have no idea where anything is. Where's the coffee? WHERE IS THE COFFEE?!
- Evening (5:00 PM - 7:00 PM): Grocery store run. This is where the self-catering life gets real. I'm overwhelmed. So many choices! I panic-buy a bag of chips and a bottle of wine. I'm also pretty sure I just saw a whole section dedicated to Biltong. I have no idea what Biltong is, but I'm buying it.
- Evening (7:00 PM - 9:00 PM): Unpack, attempt to cook, fail miserably, and eat chips and Biltong on the balcony while watching the sunset. The wine helps. The view is amazing. I feel…okay. Maybe even good. Maybe even… happy? It's a long flight, and I'm tired, but this is good.
Day 2: Table Mountain Tango & Tidal Pool Troubles
- Morning (7:00 AM - 8:00 AM): Wake up. The sun is blasting in and I'm already sweating. Coffee is made. The view from the balcony is still breathtaking. I could get used to this.
- Morning (8:00 AM - 12:00 PM): Table Mountain! The cable car ride is terrifyingly amazing. The views from the top? Unbelievable. Literally. I spend an hour just staring, mouth agape, at the vastness of it all. I try to take photos, but they don't do it justice. Nothing can. It's just there. The wind is fierce, the air is crisp, and I feel like I'm standing on top of the world. Definitely a highlight.
- Afternoon (12:00 PM - 2:00 PM): Lunch at a cafe near the cable car. I order a sandwich and a glass of local wine. The food is good, but the people-watching is even better. I love seeing the different characters here, even though I'm sure I look like a tourist.
- Afternoon (2:00 PM - 4:00 PM): Explore the Camps Bay tidal pool. The water is freezing! But the views are stunning. I attempt to swim, but mostly just shiver and try not to drown. I am not a natural swimmer. I get out and dry myself, and I realize I'm covered in sand.
- Evening (4:00 PM - 7:00 PM): Back to Amies. Shower, collapse on the bed, and decide to order takeaway. I'm exhausted.
- Evening (7:00 PM - 9:00 PM): Dinner on the balcony. Watching the sunset. The wine is flowing. I'm starting to get a handle on this "Cape Town chill" thing.
Day 3: Bo-Kaap & Botanical Wonders - and a near-disaster
- Morning (8:00 AM - 10:00 AM): Sleep in! This is a luxury I do not take lightly. Coffee and a leisurely breakfast on the balcony, people-watching the locals.
- Morning (10:00 AM - 12:00 PM): Bo-Kaap! The colorful houses are Instagram gold. I take a million photos. I get lost in the narrow streets. I buy a spice blend from a local shop. I'm feeling like I'm getting the hang of this whole "being a tourist" thing.
- Afternoon (12:00 PM - 2:00 PM): Lunch at a cafe in Bo-Kaap. The food is delicious, the atmosphere is vibrant, and I start feeling like I belong here.
- Afternoon (2:00 PM - 5:00 PM): Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden. This place is truly incredible. I wander through the different sections, marveling at the diverse plant life. I spend an hour sitting on a bench, reading, and just soaking it all in. It's a perfect afternoon.
- Evening (5:00 PM - 7:00 PM): Okay, here's the near-disaster. I decide to walk back to Amies. I get lost. Really lost. I end up in a neighborhood I don't recognize, and panic starts to set in. I finally find a taxi, and after a tense ride, I'm back at the apartment. I vow to never walk anywhere alone again. This is why I need a nap.
- Evening (7:00 PM - 9:00 PM): Back at Amies. I make a simple dinner, and I drink a lot of wine. I'm still shaken up from getting lost. I’m also feeling a bit lonely. I call my friend back home and rant for an hour. It helps.
Day 4: Wine Tasting & Beach Bliss (and a possible sunburn)
- Morning (9:00 AM - 10:00 AM): Wake up, feeling slightly hungover. Coffee and a hearty breakfast. I need to hydrate.
- Morning (10:00 AM - 1:00 PM): Wine tasting in the Constantia Valley! So many vineyards! So much wine! I learn about different grape varieties, I sample a variety of delicious wines, and I definitely overindulge. I buy a few bottles to take home. This is the life.
- Afternoon (1:00 PM - 3:00 PM): Lunch at a vineyard restaurant. The food is delicious, the setting is idyllic, and I'm surrounded by beautiful people. I'm starting to feel like a local.
- Afternoon (3:00 PM - 6:00 PM): Beach time at Camps Bay. The sun is blazing. I slather on sunscreen, but I'm pretty sure I still get a bit burned. I read a book, I take a dip in the ocean (it's still freezing!), and I watch the surfers. It's a perfect afternoon.
- Evening (6:00 PM - 8:00 PM): Back at Amies. Shower, apply aloe vera to my sunburn, and decide to order takeaway. I'm exhausted from the day.
- Evening (8:00 PM - 10:00 PM): Dinner and watch the sunset on the balcony. I feel satisfied.
Day 5: The V&A Waterfront & Departure (with a heavy heart)
- Morning (9:00 AM - 11:00 AM): Pack. The dreaded task. I try to squeeze everything back into my suitcase, and I fail miserably.
- Morning (11:00 AM - 1:00 PM): Visit the V&A Waterfront. It's touristy, but it's also fun. I browse the shops, I eat some ice cream, and I watch the seals.
- Afternoon (1:00 PM - 2:00 PM):
So, Amies Apartments... Are the Views *Really* Unbeatable? Seriously?
Okay, fine. Let's get this out of the way. The views? Yeah, they're pretty damn good. Like, "makes you stop breathing for a second and actually appreciate the planet" good. I remember the first time I walked in – I'd been expecting something nice, you know? But then… BAM! Table Mountain staring you down, the ocean sparkling, the whole kit and caboodle. Honestly, I nearly tripped over my own feet. I spent the first hour just glued to the window, muttering things like, "Oh. My. God." and "Is this real life?" My partner, bless him, just chuckled and made me a coffee. But yeah, the views are... well, they're the reason you book the place, aren't they? They're the star of the show. Don't expect to get much done your first day. You'll be too busy staring.
What are the apartments *actually* like inside? Are they all Instagram-worthy perfection?
Alright, here's the truth bomb. They're not *always* perfect. I mean, they're generally lovely, don't get me wrong! Clean, modern, and usually well-equipped. But perfection? Nah. I stayed in one last year where the shower pressure was a bit… *enthusiastic*. Like, it felt like a tiny, angry jet washing you down. And the wifi? Let's just say it sometimes took a nap. But honestly? I didn't care *that* much. Because, again, THE VIEWS. And you know what? Life's not perfect. Sometimes the kettle takes a while to boil, and sometimes your internet connection dies. It's part of the charm, right? Plus, I’d rather have a slightly annoying shower and a killer view than a perfect shower and a view of a brick wall. (Which, let’s be honest, is what I usually get at home.)
Is it easy to get around? What about parking?
Okay, this is important. Location, location, location! Amies is in a pretty decent spot, but Cape Town traffic can be… well, let’s just say it’s an experience. Parking? Depends on the apartment, but generally, it’s available. *However*, I once spent a solid 20 minutes circling the block, praying to the parking gods, before finally snagging a spot. I'm not even kidding. I was late for a wine tasting! A *wine tasting*! It was a minor disaster. Learn from my mistakes: factor in extra time for parking, especially during peak season. And maybe brush up on your parallel parking skills. You'll thank me later.
Self-Catering... How Well-Equipped are the Kitchens? Can I actually cook a decent meal?
Okay, this is a mixed bag, in my experience. Some kitchens are fantastically equipped – you could whip up a Michelin-star meal in them. Others… well, let's just say they have the basics. Check the details for the specific apartment you're booking. *However*, let me tell you a story. I was determined to make a proper South African braai (barbecue). I mean, *proper*. I bought all the meats, the spices, the whole shebang. Got to the apartment, and… no tongs! No grill brush! Disaster! I ended up using a fork and a spatula, and let's just say the braai wasn't exactly a culinary masterpiece. So, check the kitchen equipment *before* you go supermarket shopping. Save yourself the heartbreak. And maybe pack your own tongs, just in case.
Okay, spill the tea. What's the *worst* thing about staying at Amies Apartments? Be honest!
Alright, alright, here's the ugly truth: the temptation to just stay in the apartment all day, every day. It's a serious problem! You've got this incredible view, a comfy couch, maybe a balcony… why *wouldn't* you just stay put? I once spent three days straight in an Amies apartment, barely venturing out. My partner had to physically drag me out for dinner. It was a glorious, lazy, utterly unproductive three days, and I don't regret a single second of it. But, you know, you *should* probably see Cape Town. So, yeah, the worst thing? The sheer, overwhelming temptation to become a permanent fixture on the sofa. And the potential for serious FOMO. Be warned!
Is it kid-friendly?
I can't speak for every apartment in the complex, and it's important to check the specifics of the one you're booking. BUT, I've seen families there. Some places probably are, some aren't. Factors to consider: the balconies, the stairs, and how much noise your little darlings are likely to make. Personally, I think it's perfect for older kids, but toddlers? Maybe not so much. It's all about safety and peace of mind. But again, check the details. Don't want to arrive and realize you've booked a place with a death-defying drop off the balcony.
What's the deal with the cleaning? Is it included? Do I have to scrub the toilet?!
Okay, breathe. You *probably* don't have to scrub the toilet. (Unless you're particularly messy, I suppose.) Cleaning is usually included, but the frequency varies. Some places have daily cleaning, some have it once a week. Check the details! I once stayed in a place where they offered a mid-week clean, and I was all, "Yes, please!" Because, let's be honest, who wants to spend their vacation scrubbing floors? So, read the fine print. Know what you're getting into. Because, again, you're on vacation. You're there to relax, not become a cleaning ninja. Unless that's your thing. No judgment.
Would you recommend Amies Apartments? Honestly?
Look, despite the slightly grumpy shower pressure and the potential for parking nightmares, YES. Absolutely, unequivocally YES. The views alone are worth it. The convenience of self-catering is fantastic. And honestly? After a day of exploring Cape Town, there's nothing better than collapsing on the sofa with a glass of wine, staring out at the ocean. It's pure bliss. Sure, it might not be perfect. But who is? And honestly, those imperfections? They just add to the charm. Book it. Just do it. And tell them I sent you. (I probably won't get anythingRest Nest Hotels
