Martinique Beach House

A designer beach house on the water's edge, looking straight out over the lagoon. It was built by an architect known for modern Cape work, and it shows: natural stone runs through the house, with poplar beams and oak treads, and the furnishings include pieces by Meyer von Wielligh and John Vogel rather than the usual rental fare.

The beach is the front garden. Kiting, windsurfing and paddling start at the door, and the restaurants and bars are an easy walk. Behind the house a walled courtyard holds the pool, and the covered terrace has a built-in braai and a table long enough for everyone.

Two things that make it unusually practical. It carries a full solar kit with enough battery storage to ride out any level of load shedding — the owners note that the only thing that stops working is the oven. And the fibre runs at 500 Mbps in both directions, which makes it a genuine place to work from rather than a house that claims to be.

One thing to know when you plan the sleeping: bedrooms four and five are double en-suites above the garage, reached across the courtyard rather than from inside. They suit a second family, older children or friends, and those guests can still come and go through the main house.