One of the many things that I love about living in Cape Town (the love list is endless!), is that within an hour in each direction (sometimes less), you will find yourself in a completely different “world”.
Whether you’re looking for a day trip to hike in a beautiful nature reserve, climb a mountain, soothe your soul with a long walk on a pristine beach or sip and savour your way through the Cape Winelands, all these and more are possible from the Mother City.
I adore weekend getaways to the mountains and forests, but my first love is the beach. It really is my happy place. So when I was invited to visit Club Mykonos just outside Langebaan for the Easter weekend, I jumped at the chance to discover this popular resort. It was time for a family road trip up the wildly beautiful West Coast. Club Mykonos is one of many stops on the well-known West Coast Way (Foodie and Tractor Route), featuring 101 South African road trip stops with the most twists!
Only about an hour’s drive from Cape Town and located just outside the picturesque town of Langebaan, you’ll find a slice of Greece that hugs the edge of a stunning blue-water bay. White Greek Island style buildings with bright yellow, red and blue trimmings are set around the pretty bay and small harbour that makes you feel as if you really are in Greece.
This lovely family-friendly holiday resort caters for all kinds of travellers with a range of accommodation available to suit all budgets. Choose from the Athenian Cascades (3 star) which is perfectly suited for large groups or families, while The Terraces (also 3 star) overlooks the scenic marina and is perfect for the business traveller.
The check-in process at Reception went smoothly, with a clear explanation of where to find our accommodation on a map (the resort covers a large area) and key cards for access to the various areas of the resort.
Well, were we in for a big treat that weekend! The Marina Village, a modern and luxurious 4 star residential apartment complex with a distinct Mediterranean feel, was to be our home away from home for two nights. Facing the peaceful harbour with heavenly views across the Langebaan lagoon, the elegantly appointed apartment boasts a light and airy interior that instantly places you in holiday mode.
It is fully equipped for self-catering and contains all the mod cons you could possibly need. The front gate enters onto a sunny courtyard with a braai (barbeque), just perfect for a lekker (cool) evening braai. The downstairs living space features an open plan kitchen, dining and lounge area that flows beautifully onto your private outdoor deck, complete with table and chairs and a cosy little nook. It is the ideal spot to watch the fishing boats and catamarans coming in and out the harbour, maybe spot a playful seal or two and enjoy a glass of wine while watching a glorious West Coast sunset – they are simply spectacular! Another fantastic feature of The Marina Village is that you have private access to the Marina itself, as well as an inviting private swimming pool.
The upstairs area has two bedrooms, one with two large single beds (these can be placed beside each other to make a double bed) and en-suite with a shower, basin and toilet. Our son was very excited that he had his own bathroom!
The main bedroom is large and airy with an incredibly comfortable king-size bed and full en-suite bathroom with a shower, bath, toilet and two basins. I stared lovingly at the tub but knew that I wouldn’t indulge in a leisurely soak due to the water shortage in the Western Cape. The ultimate for me though, were the amazing harbour and lagoon views from the bedroom sliding door. You may have noticed that I have a thing for gorgeous views from balconies and windows!
With an energetic 9-year old in tow, there wasn’t much time to sit around and chill (the perfect pastime for weary parents), so off we went to explore. We passed by the restaurants and bars on the quayside, filled with festive holidaymakers making the most of the sunny weather. We didn’t get much further as our son spotted the 9-hole Mini-Golf Course at Marina Square and wanted to play a round. Clubs and balls can be rented from Marina Supermarket. It was a bargain at R30 per person (you get R20 back per person when returning the clubs and balls) and so much fun.
There are golf carts that can transport you around the resort, but they may not always be around when you need them, so be prepared for a fair amount of walking. Exploring on foot is the best way to make your way around the resort and enjoy all the activities they have to offer. Oh, and stop for photos every few steps. I’d often find myself far behind my hubby and son and having to catch up to them. Photo opportunities can be found everywhere, so keen photographers will have a field day.
We made our way to one of the many swimming pools scattered around the resort. This one was on the beach at the Oceanis Pool deck and had a lovely vibe going. Of course, our son wanted to swim so we took a walk back to the apartment to get his gear. By the time we returned a few minutes later, the weather had changed, most of the people had left and it looked as if it was about to rain! Before we knew it, the sun popped back out again and the clouds had moved on. We soon realized that the weather along the Langebaan lagoon changes rapidly and you can experience all four seasons within a few hours. But fear not! Club Mykonos has you covered (quite literally!) with an indoor heated pool.
It was time to relax when we returned to our tranquil oasis at the Marina Village. I was definitely not going to miss out on a wow West Coast sunset, so I poured myself a generous glass of red wine to watch Mother Nature’s spectacular sunset display. She did not disappoint!
West Coast sunsets have that wow factor!
We awoke the following morning to a bright and sunny day with our son raring to go once more. The Easter Egg Fun Run was taking place from 8am – 11am but I missed this one as for once, we all slept in. After breakfast, we set off for a game of giant chess in Agora Square which is next to the Marina Village. This is also where Club Onos, the kids club is situated.
Hubby having a moment as our 9-year old out moves him!
If your child/children know that a games room exists on site, you won’t be able to pass by without going in. So have some spare change handy. While my hubby and son popped in for a while (probably longer then hubby would’ve liked!), I went in search of a spot to enjoy a leisurely seaside lunch.
One is spoilt for choice when it comes to restaurants, bars and cafes at Club Mykonos. One such spot is Marc’s Beach Bar, a popular eatery and watering hole which was already packed with lively diners. I didn’t have long to wait before a table became available near to the cool pirate ship jungle gym.
Sipping on a glass of Riebeek Cellars Pinotage Rosé, I happily took in the beach views and kite surfers while waiting for my boys to arrive. Come hungry as the menu has many choices and the portions are generous.
It was time for a swim so we did just that at the private pool at Marina Village. I could easily spend a couple of hours here with my book, taking a lazy dip now and then.
Can I please take this pool home?
While my hubby and son went off to play soccer at the resort’s Astroturf, I took a stroll along the Marina jetty amongst the beautiful boats and catamarans, taking some more photos and viewing the Marina Village from a different perspective. It is an impressive development to say the least.
Another magical sunset at Club Mykonos.
Easter Sunday brought with it the most stunning autumn day with azure blue skies. It felt like a hot summer’s day. The weather was just perfect for the Easter Market at Agora Square. This quaint and charming market was soon buzzing with cheerful people and live music. It’s wonderful to see the local community being supported as the crafts, food and drinks on offer were all from local producers and suppliers.
The fun Easter Market at Agora Square.
My tree-hugger heart was happy to see that Club Mykonos is environmentally conscious and they strive to minimize their carbon footprint with some great initiatives. They are creating a worm farm for fertilizer, making use of a compost heap, replacing all their lights with energy-saving bulbs and using solar power heating for the indoor pool. There are recycling bins throughout the resort. They are also replacing their shower heads with eco-friendly ones. There are signs posted in each apartment and around the resort reminding guests to save water wherever they can. When it comes to the local fauna and flora, they run an oystercatcher protection programme and manage the feral cat population. They are helping to save fynbos by creating indigenous gardens and saving plants from building sites.
All too soon, it was time to depart. With so much to see and do at the resort, two nights isn’t nearly enough time to enjoy them all. But it does give you a taste of what Club Mykonos has to offer. I would recommend a minimum of three nights if you’re planning on staying at the resort. However, if you want to explore the surrounding areas, five nights or longer should give you enough time to see and do all that you wish to.
Quiet reflections before departing Club Mykonos.
We couldn’t resist a quick lunch stop at one of our favourite places along the West Coast, !Khwa ttu, a Culture and Tractor Route stop. Not only are their homemade Eland burgers incredibly delicious, but the friendly San people that work there recognize us every time and know exactly who we are.
The wild and wonderful West Coast has so much to offer all kinds of travellers. Whether you’re a foodie and wine lover, enjoy a big dollop of culture and history or the outdoorsy type that enjoys hiking or water-sports, the West Coast offers all of this and more.
A family stay at Club Mykonos should be on everyone’s travel bucket list. I’ve ticked it off mine, but would happily return for another stay. In my experience, Club Mykonos makes for the perfect family getaway. But don’t just take my word for it. Find out for yourself by booking your own family stay. It will capture your heart and soul and you’ll be booking your next stay before you’ve even checked out. I’d love to hear about your experience, so be sure to share your comments and holiday pics below.
Yours in Travel xoxo
Please note ~ I was invited to stay at Club Mykonos by West Coast Way. All views and images are my own unless otherwise indicated.
