Strawberry Spritzers and Sea Views at Tintswalo Summer House
There’s such a refreshingly unhurried grace to the False Bay side of the peninsula: it’s softer, slower and less concerned with being seen. Right in the middle of that feeling sits Tintswalo Summer House, a beautifully restored historic old dame, tucked into its own quiet corner of Glencairn, overlooking the ocean. Inside, there’s the easy comfort of a home-away-from-home charm, and a team who look after you as though you belong there.
Hard not to feel welcome when check-in comes with a strawberry spritzer. It arrived with a smile: strawberry syrup, house Chenin Blanc and a splash of fizzy water – a first for me and a delicious reminder that summer was here and I had an excuse to slow down.
Even so, the drink was soon upstaged by a symphony of colour, pattern and personality. The interiors – the work of Camlyn Johnston, the third generation of the family behind the Tintswalo brand – have a confidence that’s impossible not to fall for. Oregon pine floors softened by age, crystal chandeliers, wallpaper scattered with stories, fireplaces that have burned for more than a century, vintage plates lining the walls, stained-glass windows. Stripes sit beside florals, and fringing against velvet. It’s a house filled with things she clearly adores – and not only does it all work, but there’s a sense of nostalgia that makes the outside world feel very far away.
Outside, the pool area is no less charming, with its delightful pool bar and pretty pink Delft mural. Beyond it, the house nestles at the foot of the mountain, cradled by its slopes and gazing out over Glencairn Bay, with the beach and tidal pool a short stroll away.
Each suite has its own colour, and mine – Bit of Blue – was the largest in the house, with enchanting finishes and a sheltered balcony framing the sea. And then there are the details: headboards created with Poetry of Living, hand-painted basins, a deep Victorian bath with gleaming bronze taps, finely embroidered cushions with matching beaded coasters and local artwork on every wall. And, best of all, a “press for Champagne” bell, which is surely every girl’s dream.
Dinner was at Summer House Eatery, a nod to the classic French bistro, where Cape produce is given a Mediterranean touch. Head Chef Thando Jaxa’s menu is designed for sharing, and we took that to heart, starting with a burrata with pestle-and-mortar pesto and San Marzano tomatoes, and a radicchio salad with citrus, pear, walnuts and gorgonzola. Then came fire-cooked prawns in lemon, garlic and herb butter with a kick of peri-peri, alongside summer rice and hand-cut fries. Every dish was superb, and the main was more than enough for the two of us – remarkably good value, too.
We had no room for dessert, but we did find room for the house rosé, made for Summer House by Lomond Wine Estate, and it was crisp, pale and perfect.
Better still, the Eatery isn’t just for guests. It’s open to everyone for lunch and dinner, which is reason enough to make the trip.
After a glorious night’s sleep, breakfast became another highlight, with homemade granola and creamy yoghurt beneath a mixed berry coulis I’d have bottled and taken home if I could. Then came a three-tiered stand, generously laden with smoked trout, cheeses, cold meats, croissants and muffins, each tier more tempting than the last. I’d normally finish with eggs Benedict, but this time there simply wasn’t room. And all the while, the sea stretched out beyond the window, as much a part of breakfast as the coffee.
What struck me most, though, is how effortlessly Summer House shapes itself around whoever walks through its door. I could quite happily imagine checking in alone with a good book, yet it would be every bit as delightful for a gathering of girlfriends, and is unashamedly romantic, for stolen nights away à deux.
Holding it all together, ever so gracefully, are the staff, effortlessly attentive and so genuinely happy that you can’t help but feel it too. As the plaque outside explains, Tintswalo means “the intangible feeling of peace, love and gratitude bestowed upon someone who gives you a meaningful and worthy gift”, and my stay was exactly that.
