Villa oneonethree: Cape Town’s Most Thoughtfully Designed Luxury Stay

Perched between the glistening coastline of Bantry Bay and the golden sands of Clifton, Villa oneonethree isn’t just a luxury stay – it’s a personal invitation into the soul of Cape Town.

Crafted by people who live and breathe this city, oneonethree blends the polish of a five-star hotel with the heart and warmth of a lived-in home. Every inch of this multi-level villa was designed for the discerning traveller, with curated furniture by B&B Italia and Roche Bobois, original artworks, imported stone, and a seamless integration of Sonos sound and smart TVs. But what truly sets it apart is the feeling: refined, intimate, and unmistakably Cape Town.

Step outside and you’re a stone’s throw from Clifton’s iconic beaches, with Lion’s Head and the Sea Point promenade practically in your backyard. Inside, you’ll find your every need anticipated, from poolside cocktails to midnight baby bottles, courtesy of your dedicated butler. While daily turndown service ensures the details are never overlooked.

“Oneonethree is our vision of change,” explains the owners. “We’ve filled this home with the very same furniture, art, and comforts we love in our own homes. The cutlery and glassware are chosen with care, and while they may be more delicate, we believe their quality transforms the experience. Our mission is to make this home a beacon of luxury travel.”

More than a place to stay, oneonethree is a lived experience. It’s sundowners with panoramic views of the Atlantic. It’s the ease of privacy with the pleasure of service. It’s the rhythm of Cape Town life – natural, luxurious, effortless. We caught up with Alexis Gillis to find out more about the inspiration, intention, and intimate details behind Villa oneonethree — and what truly sets it apart in Cape Town’s luxury stay landscape.

1. What inspired you to create oneonethree?

Having enjoyed some of the finest hotels in the world, as my family grew, and locations and preferences changed, hotels weren’t always an option and therefore we started to rent “luxury serviced” villas. We were constantly disappointed by the lack of service, the sparsely decorated rooms, unmaintained properties and general lack of attention to detail. We were looking for hotel-like amenities, with the privacy and spaces, offered by a grand villa. This need, especially in Cape Town, gave birth to our first property, villa oneonethree.

2. Was there a particular travel experience or moment that sparked the idea?

Ibiza doesn’t have any of the big luxury hotel brands and most of their big hotels aren’t located by the best beaches or restaurants. Hence one looks at renting a villa. We rented a villa for 40,000 euro a week expecting something really special. After travelling for 20 hours with a pregnant wife and 3 young kids, when checking in to the villa, we noticed there was no crib for our baby (even though we had requested), there were workers next door leaning over the wall watching us, there was no coffee in the machine and hardly enough towels for us to shower. At that moment I knew there were customers around the world that were likely all getting disappointed and I wanted to try change the experience for them.

3. Why did you choose Cape Town — and specifically Bantry Bay/Clifton — for this villa?

Cape Town has the greatest natural attractions of any city in the world. Unfortunately the waterfront and foreshore is where all the big hotels are located. We see a great opportunity to bring hotel amenities to villas closer to where you actually want to stay. I wanted to wake up to an uninterrupted sea view, walk straight onto lions head or down to Clifton beach. Only a few sites in Bantry Bay and Clifton offer those opportunities. We had been looking for a while and when 113 became available, we took it.

4. How involved were you in the design and furnishing process?

Had the opportunity, and autonomy, to pick every single furniture piece, every light fixture and every art installation.

5. What was the guiding design philosophy behind oneonethree?

Sophisticated clients are used to spending time in their houses surrounded by luxury furniture, unique art pieces and attentive personalized staff. Why can’t they experience these same luxuries when they travel? We sought to create spaces that have signature European furniture pieces. We imported unique marbles and onyx’s. We were advised against buying nearly all our furniture and fittings because they weren’t durable enough to withstand rentals. Nearly all luxury rentals focus on durability. Unfortunately what is durable is nearly always not luxurious.

6. How did you balance luxury with a sense of warmth and home?

We tried to use rich materials and fabrics that are ascetically pleasing and also very comfortable.

7. What brands and design elements were you adamant about including?

Roche Bobois signature bubble couches and chairs. Rich marble and onyx blocks for kitchen and bars. Technogym for the wellness space. Big OLED flat screen TV’s in every room. Large fluffy white towels, crispy fresh linen. These were some basics that I thik every grand house needs.

8. How did your travels influence the concept and execution of oneonethree?

Through my travels I’ve been privelaged to experience some of the greatest hotels in the world. And it always comes down to service and management. After the initial fascination with the novel offering, one’s experience is made or broken by how well the hotel is run. We have made that the bedrock of our offering at oneonethree.

9. What were some key lessons or inspirations you brought back from hotels and homes around the world?

Great hotels always smell nice. The shower pressure is really good. There is an abundance of fresh fluffy towels. They put the slippers next to the bed. They have nice bottles of water next to the bed. Music is well suited for creating an atmosphere. These are the type of things we have tried to bring to the villa. Also I find that staff hardly ever smile anywhere. We have tried to introduce this again.

10. Are there cultural influences or stories woven into the villa’s design—and what kind of guests do you imagine being drawn to this space?

Guests who are looking for exceptional service that can’t be found by renting a home. We are significantly more expensive than other home rentals and there is a specific clientele who we hope will appreciate our staff and being surrounded by luxuries not usually found in traditional villa rentals.

11. What emotions or experiences do you hope guests take away after a stay?

I want guests to leave feeling excited about life. We aren’t a traditional wellness hotel where guests leave feeling rested, I want guests to live life to the full at the villa. To swim, to get drunk, to overeat, to indulge. The sofas have all been chosen to encourage expressive conversations.

12. How do you create a “home away from home” without losing that five-star feeling?

Well trained staff who understand the importance of ensuring everything in the home is in perfect condition while at the same time creating an atmosphere that encourages guests to put their feet up wherever they are sitting.

13. Your service model feels very intentional — what inspired that level of detail?

Sophisticated travellers tend to expect an extremely high level of attention to detail. They have high expectations. They have experienced the greatest luxuries the world has to offer. If one isn’t on top of their game, you will likely disappoint them. We have put great effort in ensuring our fabrics and textures are rich and indulgent. Our staff are trained to play close attention to the guests to try pre-empt any unmet needs of theirs.

14. How do you train or guide your team to reflect your personal hospitality approach?

We genuinely love our staff. I have revisited many 5 star hotels over the last few years and seldom do I see the same staff working. No one remembers me. No one seems to care that much. That’s sad. We train our staff be both rigorous and empathetic. Follow strict procedures with regards to housekeeping etc, but always be mindful of the unique needs of the guest and always think how we could better improve their day. I encourage our staff to continually offer guests food to drinks wherever they are. Something that you don’t usually experience in a villa rental.

15. What were some of the biggest challenges in bringing this project to life—and what small, personal touches do you believe make the biggest difference?

Getting the guest through the door. There are no comparable offerings in Cape Town. So when guests are searching for villa rentals, we look very expensive. And it is difficult to truly covey our offering through print and mobile media, It can only be appreciated during a stay. We are confident that once a guest chooses to stay with us, they will feel that they received value for what they are paying for. The difficulty is convincing them of this before they stay.

16. Was there a turning point where you felt the vision really came together?

When Roche Bobois delivered our bubble couches that I had bought months before. Sitting on them I had a distinct feeling of conviction that we were on the right path. Good furniture is absolutely underrated.

17. Looking back, is there anything you would have done differently?

The design and the service set up has been an iterative process. This is our first project of this kind and we know we are going to make mistakes. We took a booking within a few days of opening. We were so keen to try offer the best service that we probably overlooked some things.

18. What does Cape Town mean to you personally?

I left home at 18 and moved to Cape Town to study. During these years, I experienced the greatest freedom and fell in love with the world. I believed I could do anything. I have tried, unsuccessfully, to relay this sense of wonder that Cape Town can have on you. oneonethree is my first opportunity to try and give guests a taste of the wonder I have experienced.

19. How is your love for this city reflected in the villa and guest experience?

I want every guest to fall in love with Cape Town and long for it the way I do. If they leave with these feelings, I will feel like our mission is successful.

20. What are your favourite local spots that you always recommend to guests?

Firstly I recommend the mountain and our beaches. Clifton and Lions Head are two of my favourite and within walking distance. Nobu at the One&Only,

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21. You’ve hinted at replicating this model — where to next?

We have an offer out on an AMAZING property just down the road. We can’t wait to get stuck into it. Same service offering with a more minimal architectural feel.

22. How do you plan to maintain the heart and uniqueness of oneonethree in future projects?

Each site has unique opportunities and challenges. We think it’s important to retain some character of original home while introducing some of the core philosophies our brand believes in. Guests should feel like the know the home when they walk in, even though they have never been there. Our staff will always be impeccably dressed and greet you with a smile. There will always be a couch that is slightly intimidating yet still inviting. There will always be too many towels in the bathroom. There will always be a mix of natural stomes. And there will always be designer furniture and compelling art.

23. If  oneonethree could be remembered for one thing, what would you want that to be?

We want all our guests to feel like we cared deeply about their satisfaction during their stay. We won’t send an automated email asking for feedback. We will go over and above industry practices to ensure our guests never forget, and always long for, the love we show them during their stay.

Ready to embrace the beauty of Cape Town like no other.
Visit oneonethree