Many well-known restaurants often in historic situations can be enjoyed in the Constantia valley. Cloete's in the Manor House or the Boer 'n Brit in the Jonkershuis are just 2. The Constantia Health and Racquet Club - is situated within walking distance of the hotel on part of the old Alphen Estate. Vouchers are available on request from reception. Enjoy a memorable trip to Cape Town city centre, the Waterfront and Table Mountain Cableway.
The Constantia Village Shopping Centre - There is an excellent variety of shops, services and eating places in the centre, including Alphen Cellars where fine wines and spirits may be purchased. There are safe white sandy beaches at Muizenberg, Hout Bay, Noordhoed and Llandudno amongst others. Whales can be seen particularly in Fish Hoek or Hout Bay areas. ) Enjoy a boat trip to Seal Island in Hout Bay (20 minutes) and visit the penguins at Boulders Beach in Simonstown.
There is a Rondevlei Bird Sanctuary near Zeekoeivlei, the sanctuary, a wetland and part of the Costal Park, is home to 225 species of birds. Play golf in one of the stunning Cape Golf Courses. Major 18 hole golf courses are close by: Royal Cape, Westbanke, Steenberg, Clovelly.
Take a trip to the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens; they are internationally renowned as one of the world's foremost botanical gardens. The Alphen Hiking Trail leading from the southern boundary of the estate, winds along the Diep River into Cecelia Forest on the slopes of the mountains of the Cape Peninsula National Park. There are numerous cycling routes in the area.
The Cape Peninsula National Park, incorporating Table Mountain and Cape Point, where 2 oceans meet, is easily accessible either by walking, jogging, or driving from the Alphen Hotel (5 minutes to closest gateway, Cape Point 30 minutes). The Constantia Wine Route, which incorporates Groot Constantia, Klein Constantia, Buitenverwachting, Constantia Uitsig and Steenberg farms, should be a very insightful route
Groot Constantia is a National Monument open to the public. It is the hallmark of gracious Cape Dutch architecture, originally owned by Governor Simon van der Stel and later by Hendrick Cloete, who was responsible for the house and the beautiful wine cellar in its present form. Hendrick Cloete was the ancestor of the present owners of Alphen.
