Michael and Stephen's penthouse apartment is truly a special getaway, and my husband and I were lucky to spend our 10-year wedding anniversary vacation there! The apartment is well-located right by the waterfront in Sea Point, with a beautiful walking/running path that stretches along the water just across the street. In the mornings you can watch paragliders landing in the park from the apartment's balcony, and the sunset views over the ocean are simply spectacular. We slept so well all week thanks to the calming sound of the ocean waves. There are lots of restaurant options just a block away, and Michael and Stephen can provide great recommendations about the best local spots for food, laundry, and just about anything else you might need.
The apartment itself is beautifully decorated and features pieces of Michael's own artwork. Michael and Stephen are great decorators and collectors, and you can tell that a lot of time and attention to detail have gone into their work on the penthouse. There are also many interesting stories about some of the pieces, which are reflective of Michael and Stephen's own interesting backgrounds and adventures!
As hosts, Michael and Stephen were gracious and helpful throughout our stay. They greeted us with welcome drinks and we had a lovely chat about their lives and work both as Chicagoans and as Cape Town expats. We were surprised and touched to see that Michael and Stephen had gone above and beyond to stock the kitchenette with essentials--even treating us to a bottle of celebratory champagne. The penthouse shares an entrance with their apartment downstairs, so they are very accessible and easy to find if you need them for anything. But the penthouse does have its own gate and entrance doorways beyond the shared entrance, so you can always close/lock those for additional security/privacy if you like.
We had a lovely week at the penthouse and appreciated Michael and Stephen's warm hospitality and efforts to make our celebration memorable. Our only regret is that we didn't plan a low-key/no sight-seeing day just to sit and enjoy the beautiful balcony views and lovely surroundings. We hope we will get the chance to stay again sometime soon!