For most holidaymakers, Cape Town accommodation is pricey at best, but when the rich and famous flock to the city they can afford to rent a luxury villa in Clifton for about R80 000 a day.
Despite difficult economic times, they are here to spend their festive season in the lap of luxury.
The Atlantic Seaboard has for years been aimed at high-end visitors and has fast become an established destination for those who can afford it.
Seeff luxury villa rentals agent Tanya Joubert said holidaymakers would probably spend a little less and perhaps stay for shorter periods this summer. But she did not expect more well-off visitors to cut the holiday from their budget completely.
Seeff spokeswoman Gina Meintjies said visitors would get good value for money on holiday in Cape Town.
“Because of the rand, you get much more bang for your buck (here), despite the financial crisis,” she said.
For this price, they’ll get complimentary wine, refreshments, airport transfers and concierge service. The villa will also be serviced twice daily by housekeeping staff and a chef will be around to cater to every whim.
The R80 000-a-day ultra-luxurious villa offers direct access to Clifton’s beaches and consists of four apartments, which can be rented individually or as a whole.
Joubert has found accommodation for top actors Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Connelly, Djimon Hounsou and Joseph Fiennes.
She said Cape Town offered a cosmopolitan vibrancy - the perfect summer beach holiday amid beautiful natural surroundings, the winelands just down the road and an array of leisure activities and trendy hotspots.
Meintjies said the demand for luxury short-term accommodation had picked up in recent years. “It has become quite trendy, in terms of the upper-income group, to rent out luxury villas. Over the last five years it has grown.”
She said the wealthy found the lavish accommodation to be a “home away from home”. “They have the convenience and comfort of their own home. It comes fully serviced, with a butler, there are chefs available. They can entertain, therefore the local or Johannesburg upper-income can still entertain (guests), which they can’t do at a hotel.”
Foreigners made up about 40 percent of the short-term rental market, with corporates 30 percent and about 20 percent from the film industry. The balance of income came from Johannesburg holidaymakers. - Cape Times