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Located among the rolling hills of the Wesley Coastal Conservancy in the Eastern Cape, Sandcastle Luxury Villa is an award-winning, exclusive-use villa set within a stunning 275-hectare ancient coastal forest reserve teeming with wildlife. This secluded haven is just steps away from a vast private beach, offering unobstructed vistas of the Indian Ocean and the rugged bushveld surroundings, and has been designed to mimic a real-life sandcastle – inspired by the Malanese granary.
Sandcastle Luxury Villa features four spacious en-suite bedrooms overlooking the ocean below, while each of the open-plan living areas, dining rooms and fully equipped designer kitchen are surrounded by large glass doors and windows. The interior offers fireplaces for chilly days, while shaded outdoor areas with comfortable sofas provide a tranquil spot to observe the ocean during summer. There's also a Mexican-inspired courtyard with a solar-heated plunge pool, and a small vegetable garden providing fresh ingredients for guest use.
Sandcastle Luxury Villa was designed by David Mealin with the concept of creating a space that goes against conventional housing designs, and that would highlight the organic forms of nature. Every part of the villa, including all of its distinctive features and corners, is coated with pigmented white cement, lime, and sand that is directly obtained from the beach upon which the villa is constructed. This particular finish serves to seamlessly blend the structure with its natural surroundings, creating a harmonious connection between the villa and its location.
Situated 75 kilometers from East London in the former Ciskei region, Sandcastle Villa is steeped in history and occupies the most rural part of the Eastern Cape in South Africa. Located in a malaria-free region of the country and offering 2 kilometers of privately accessed beachfront, Sandcastle Luxury Villa is the ideal setting for walks along the shore, ocean swims, and bush hikes. This sanctuary covers 275 hectares of private game reserve, promising adventure and exploration.
Perched at the very top of a sweeping valley, Sandcastle Luxury Villa overlooks the endless Indian Ocean, all while being enveloped by the ancient coastal forest. To the west, the majestic Gqtuwa River flows through the reserve, bringing fresh water to the coast. Regardless of where you look, you're surrounded by nature. Thanks to its mild and sunny climate, Sandcastle Luxury Villa is a year-round destination.
A. Bruns
Stayed at: Sandcastle Luxury Villa
Found Freedom
We stared out at the calm surface of the ocean broken only in places by breaching whales, while closer to the shore a string of dolphins was slowly traversing across the horizon. In this setting, it’s hard to not feel like you’ve found freedom.
D. Herman
Stayed at: Sandcastle Luxury Villa
Uninterrupted views
The space is not only imbued with sculpted turrets, fireplace chimneys and organically shaped freeform recesses, but is also inundated with windows so that around every corner there is a view… out onto the beach, across the Indian Ocean, or into the nature reserve which makes it feel like it’s floating in a sea of green.
T. Henry
Stayed at: Sandcastle Luxury Villa
Encourages exploration
It’s a layout that encourages exploration and offers ample opportunity to retreat further into your own private space. Sandcastle lets its secrets unfold slowly.
Sandcastle Luxury Villa, New Bradford Farm, Wesley, 5612
Driving
Sandcastle is located 50km from Port Alfred, and 75km from East London. Google Maps will direct you to turn off of the R72 into the rural village of Wesley. As you turn into Wesley, the convenience shop, M&J's Cottage Kitchen will be ahead of you. Drive along the dirt road, with M&J's Cottage Kitchen on your left hand side and continue straight through the village towards the ocean for about 5km. Once through the village, take the right hand side of the fork in the road and continue on until you see the steel gates, with Sandcastle Villa on the horizon.
Commercial Airports
East London Airport is the closest major, airport offering daily commercial flights to and from all major South African cities such as Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban. The Villa is approximately one hour from the airport.
Private Landing
Alternatively, should you wish to fly in privately, the reserve offers an 800m landing strip on the property. There is also a Helipad conveniently located next to the villa. If coming in a larger jet, Port Alfred Airfield is the closest airfield.
Depending on where you are coming from, either Port Alfred 50km away or East London, 75km away.
Yes, we are on the Indian Ocean. The water is between 18-24 degrees.
East London is our closest commercial airport, however, we do have a runway on the property if guests are looking to charter in privately.
The expansive private beach is just a 5 minute walk away from the villa.
While staying at Sandcastle Beach Villa you can enjoy: