The British reality TV phenomenon Love Island has returned to screens for a sixth season. While the premise is still the same – attractive twentysomethings with gym-honed bodies pairing up to find love or Instagram fame – a few things have changed. Namely, it's airing in winter for the first time and the villa, where the contestants have to spend the next eight weeks, has relocated from Mallorca to South Africa.
To tie into the launch of the new winter series, vacation rental company HomeAway has pulled together a list of Love Island-style villas in Cape Town where the show is set. From beach houses to wine valley villas and hillside mansions, they're the ultimate luxury escape. And for those of us in the northern hemisphere, summer (and a lottery win) can't come quick enough.
Lyonesse House
Located in the affluent suburb of Constantia, one of the oldest wine regions in Cape Town, this house is all about lush, leafy views. It's perched on the slopes of Table Mountain National Park so greenery is a given but it has the added bonus of being surrounded by two acres of indigenous gardens filled with rare plants; filling the garden with zesty and fragrant air. It sleeps up to 16 people across eight airy bedrooms and has a fully-stocked bar, as well as a pool and indoor library.
Atlantic Seaboard
This is another villa on the slopes of Table Mountain but one that boasts ocean views rather than garden views. The Atlantic Seaboard villa, as it's called, is in the suburb of Atlantic Seaboard (the clue is in the name), otherwise known as the 'Riviera of Cape Town.' It's ideal for party people with huge indoor and outdoor entertainment areas that spill out on to the pool. When things get too much, guests can unwind in the living room which boasts double volume windows for uninterrupted ocean views.
The Meadows
This white-washed villa is located in Camps Bay, one of Cape Town's chicest beach resort. It's ideal for families thanks to its quiet location at the secluded end of the resort, near Glen Beach. The lower level of the villa features a bar, TV and entertainment area. There's no fire pit but there is a well-stocked wine cellar, the perfect excuse for a South African dinner party.
Apostles Views
Located in the uber-exclusive suburb of Bakoven, close to the beaches of Camps Bay and the sheltered strands of Clifton (tip: head for the 4th Beach, it's the only one with a blue flag along Victoria Rd) this open-plan villa is ideal for families or a large group of friends. Like all the other villas, it comes with a pool and fantastic views. The ocean can be seen from every level of the house and because the neighbourhood is so quiet, chances of falling asleep to the sound of crashing waves are pretty high. The house has nine en-suite bedrooms and can sleep up to 18 people.
The Windrose
This villa in Bloubergstrand is set right on the beach with panoramic views of Table Mountain across Table Bay. It has seven bedrooms (three of them en suite) and can comfortably sleep up to 12 people. There's plenty of outdoor space for entertaining, bathing and dining and an open-plan living room with floor-to-ceiling windows that bring the beach in. The house is also just a short stroll to all the fine dining restaurants and trendy bars of Bloubergstrand and its beaches.
