_International Property Digest: Winter Sun Properties Outside Europe
As temperatures plummet across Europe and North America, attention turns to the blue skies and sun-filled days on offer elsewhere. Homes on a tropical Caribbean island or around the magnificent city of Cape Town offer a healthy dose of active outdoor living with true international appeal.
Properties in the Caribbean
Above: Waterfornt villa, Tortola, British Virgin Islands.
“High season in the Caribbean runs from mid-December to April and in tandem with that current market conditions make this an interesting time for would-be buyers,” says Andrew Blandford-Newson of Knight Frank’s Private Office. “In Barbados attractive tax incentives, political stability and a willingness for vendors at all price points to become more commercially minded has resulted in pent-up demand.”
Barbados is the destination of choice for numerous affluent holidaymakers who appreciate its elegant but laid-back West Coast lifestyle. The island offers a packed social calendar and a wide catalogue of sporting choices covering international cricket, horse racing, polo and golf. Restaurant choices range from wonderfully casual beach bars to top-drawer dining.
Sandy Lane Estate, a collection of around 170 plots and substantial villas in leafy gardens linked to illustrious Sandy lane Hotel, is an exclusive west coast destination. A prime villa for sale within the estate with the rare addition of direct beach access has recently been recently reduced from $10 million to $8.95 million.
The property has been artfully refurbished and furnished and is ideal for large-scale entertaining or a multi-generational holiday. Set in over an acre of established gardens it has six bedroom suites and a separate two-bedroom cottage.
Above: Hamble House, St James, Barbados.
Also on the Sandy Lane Estate and with wonderful views over one of the three golf courses, Hamble House offers six bedrooms – two in a separate guest cottage – in 1.23 acre grounds for $5,950,000.
The British Virgin Islands northwest of Antigua, home to the largest fleet of charter yachts worldwide, are sailing nirvana thanks to safe, clear waters and a collection of small sand-fringed islands. The BVIs suffered badly when Hurricane Irma hit in 2017 but the on-going reconstruction has been an opportunity to improve and update homes.
Golden Pavilion is a Balinese-style waterfront villa on Tortola in beautifully landscaped grounds reduced to $4,250,000. It suffered little damage from Irma yet the current owners have invested in significant improvements including a storm-resistant roof system to make an elegant, high-quality home with wonderfully wide sea views.
Properties in South Africa
Above: 20 bebroom lodge, Albert Falls, South Africa.
Views are also crucial for home owners in prestigious areas of Cape Town says Richard Hardie, Knight Frank South Africa’s CEO. “In this part of Southern Africa winter sun seekers always look for either a sea or mountain view,” he says. “There’s the rural atmosphere of Constantia, the view of Cape Town from Baronetcy Estate & Plattekloof, the strong community of Hout Bay and the relaxed holiday spirit of the Atlantic Seaboard. The V & A Waterfront offers the convenience and security of being in the city itself.”
All these locations offer a sophisticated lifestyle with prolonged sunshine in an area blessed with exceptional geographical beauty. The Southern Suburbs including Constantia, Newlands, Upper Claremont and Bishopscourt, at the foot of Table Mountain offer handsome homes in large gardens close to excellent school.
In Constantia Upper and set in beautifully maintained gardens, a four-bedroom home with three separate one-bedroom cottages and additional staff accommodation is R42,000,000. The home offers extensive views towards the mountains and over Constantia and the ocean.
The Atlantic Seaboard is a collection of exclusive residential suburbs that cling to the lower slopes of the Twelve Apostles mountain range, Lions Head and Signal Hill. They include highly sought after Clifton, blustery Camps Bay, Hout Bay and Llandudno.
Above: five-bedroom house, Llandudno, South Africa.
A four-bedroom apartment in Clifton with direct sea views, private and communal swimming pools and parking is newly reduced to R29,995,000 while an exceptional five-bedroom house in Llandudno with unobstructed sea and mountain views is R34,000,000.
Cape Town itself is a modern world class city with much attention focused on the V&A Waterfront, an upmarket collection of hotels and apartments overlooking a working harbour. This is the city’s favourite tourist destination, filled with restaurants and bars.
Winter sun seekers looking for a complete change of lifestyle may be tempted by a 20-bedroom private game reserve in Albert Falls, 45 minutes from Pietermaritzburg in Eastern South Africa. Previously run as a safari lodge & spa, the property – price on application - is a rare opportunity to own a unique home or business in an extraordinary part of Africa.
For further information on Knight Frank’s portfolio of homes in the Caribbean and Southern Africa contact our International Team on 020 7629 8171.