Book Direct
Gardens · Cape Town · est. 1996

An old house on Camp Street, kept for thirty years.

Five self-catering cottages and a house in a walled garden beneath Table Mountain - slow mornings, wood smoke, and a resident dog called Snuifel.

Reserve Your Cottage
InAwePeople

There comes a time in one's life when you do not want to do what you do not want to do. I reached that point after a career of more than 30 years doing the things that I was passionate about and that I loved, all the time gaining wonderful experience and knowledge. So when Olivia, our youngest child left home, it was time to do something different. The beautiful historic house where we raised the kids, at the foot of Table Mountain, in the Gardens in Cape Town, needed a new purpose. We then decided to invite guests to come and stay. There were many outbuildings that could be restored into self-catering cottages and by adding some more structures, we created InAweStays.

The WE I talk about is my husband Meyer, and me, Doreen. Meyer is a property attorney who likes nothing more than to take our guests on adventures. He swims in the cold sea many times a week, he rides his mountain bike up the mountains and he paddles in the sea or on rivers.

I worked in the Performing Arts for many years and then morphed into the very different world of property where I spent the next few years buying and renovating apartment blocks which morphed into joining the team at Elle Decoration as a Stylist and Travel Writer. But the publishing world was changing, and I needed a new challenge.

We have three children - Jade and her husband Max live with us, Olivia lives and works in Amsterdam and Uno and his family live in Melbourne.

We LOVE having guests from all over the world. We often become friends because we like each other and because many of our guests return multiple times.

We love food, design, travel, the outdoors, sports, people and spending time with people that we connect with. And we absolutely love Cape Town and South Africa.

We'd like to share our world with you.

- Doreen Awe-de Waal

Read the full story of InAweStays →
Doreen, founder of InAweStays, standing in the courtyard garden at 34 Camp Street, Gardens, Cape Town

Five Cottages and a House

Choose where you'd like to wake up.

Each cottage is fully self-catering with its own entrance, kitchen and patio. No two are alike.

House Awe, the main heritage cottage at InAweStays, Gardens, Cape Town
House Awe · Sleeps 4

The house that started it all.

The original 1994 purchase. Wide floorboards, tall ceilings, a kitchen built for cooking real meals. The most complete of the six.

Explore House Awe →
Garden Cottage with private patio at InAweStays, Gardens, Cape Town
Garden Cottage · Sleeps 2

Steps from the lemon tree.

A separate bedroom, full kitchen, and a patio that opens directly into the garden. Quiet in every direction.

Explore Garden Cottage →
The Jade Cottage interior at InAweStays, Gardens, Cape Town
The Jade Cottage · Sleeps 2

Named for the colour of the afternoon light.

Cooler tones, a calmer feel. Jade is the cottage guests ask to return to by name.

Explore the Jade Cottage →
The Loft cottage with exposed beams and reading nook, InAweStays Gardens Cape Town
The Loft · Sleeps 2

Beams, books and afternoon light.

A converted upper storey with a kitchenette, a long writing desk, and the best window on the property.

Explore the Loft →
Olive's Cottage with walled courtyard at InAweStays, Gardens, Cape Town
Olive's Cottage · Sleeps 4

Private, walled, and unhurried.

The most secluded cottage on the property. Its own entrance, its own courtyard, two bedrooms and the quiet of a place that forgets the city exists.

Explore Olive's Cottage →
Self-catering Studio cottage at InAweStays, Gardens, Cape Town
The Studio · Sleeps 2

Modern, light filled and comfortable - that's our Studio

The most compact of the six - and the most often booked twice. A wood stove, a good bed, and nothing unnecessary.

Explore the Studio →
InAweDoes

What you can do from here.

01 - Breakfasts

Yaps's famous flapjacks.

Our breakfasts have quickly become a favourite amongst guests, especially Yaps's famous flapjacks. Breakfast is served as an option from Monday to Friday.

02 - Other meals

From lazy lunches to surprise dinners.

Since we have a few maybe cooks, some serious cooks and a variety of fabulous chefs, we are happy to serve anything from a lazy light lunch by the pool to a formal dinner full of surprises in the dining room to a braai by the firepit. And most famous of all is Ellen's pizza nights!

03 - Picnics

A bag full of picnic goodies.

Cape Town is full of fabulous picnic spots - give us a heads up and we will pack you a bag full of picnic goodies.

04 - Graffiti tours

Mak1One - exclusive to InAweStays.

We are very lucky to have our own in-house famous graffiti artist as part of our family. A tour of the city's graffiti by Mak1One is a unique experience exclusive to InAweStays.

05 - Food Jams

Started in our kitchen.

Since Food Jams started in our kitchen, we are fortunate that they will host Food Jams exclusively for our guests. If you'd like to attend a Food Jam at any of their other 3 venues, we can arrange this too.

06 - Tips, swims & rides

Ask Meyer - the expert.

Meyer knows exactly where to go, when to go, and which road brings you back happy. Cold swims, mountain rides, hidden spots - just ask.

See all experiences →
The resident dogs and cats at InAweStays, 34 Camp Street, Gardens, Cape Town
InAwePaws

We are a bit like wannabe farmers.

Over the years we have had a variety of animals - from rabbits to chickens to ducks to geese. We have also always had cats and dogs.

Currently two large dogs and a number of cats live on the property. They are friendly, they are part of the place, and they will find you before you find them.

Pets are welcome at InAweStays - as long as yours is happy to share the garden with ours.


InAweSays

What returning guests say.

"This is the best, most beautiful, and finest place to stay in Cape Town!"

Marloes - 🇳🇱 Netherlands · 9 nights · Booking.com

"InAweStays is simply the perfect accommodation in Cape Town. We're already looking forward to checking in again."

Travel Sisi - 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Return guest · Google

"Really awesome hosts, great meals, wonderful staff. Forever my first address in Cape Town."

Thorsten G. - 🇩🇪 Germany · Travelled with family · TripAdvisor
Read all reviews →

Best rate is always direct.

No commissions, no surprises - just the right cottage, the right week.

Reserve Your Cottage