CHAPMANS PEAK HOTEL

Chapmans Peak Drive, Hout Bay, Cape Town, Tel: 021 790 1036

This stalwart at the foot of Chappies remains a popular watering hole for good reason: the lovely old hotel with its popular deck gazes out across Hout Bay and the beach, with the sun sinking into the mountains and casting a rosy glow over the sky.

People flock here for the grilled calamari while basking in the beachy ambience, but stick around on the deck for sundowners before moving on to the bar (open from 16h00 until late every evening, and from 12h00 on weekends).

There's an excellent choice of local and imported beers, but even better is the selection of wines - the Nobrega family owners are wine aficionados of note.

POLANA

Polana, Kalk Bay harbour, Cape Town, Tel 021 788 7162

Downstairs from seafood-eatery Harbour House is the shabby-chic Polana Restaurant, which serves up spicy colonial-style dishes with a Portuguese flavour. But hands-down the main attraction here is the cocktail lounge right on the rocks.

Windows open up completely with the waves crashing soulfully below, while wellworn leather couches invite long languishing sessions with multiple bottles of wine (there's a comprehensive list including by the glass) until late into the night.

Being on the False Bay side of Cape Town, you won't see the sun setting into the ocean, but you won't even notice - hey, was that a whale?

THE GRAND CAFE & ROOMS

27 Main Road, Plettenberg Bay, Tel: 044 533 3301

Do as Plett's forever-tanned and unruffled emigres do come the long summer, and set up camp on the terrace of this wonderful boutique hotel in time for the nightly display of theatrics in the sky, almost a match for the plush, faded-decadence look of the decor.

The bar and cafe spill out into this candlelit alfresco space surrounded by lush gardens, with quite breathtaking views over the coastal town's legendary beaches, lagoon and mountains.

To the sounds of cool jazz, swig back Pinacocos and Daiquiris, while the winelist offers some pleasing labels, including local and French bubblies which would no doubt go down a treat at this most romantic of sundowner hotspots. You may even want to stay the night.

KZN OYSTER BOX HOTEL

2 Lighthouse Road, Umhlanga Rocks, Durban, Tel: 031 514 5000

She's considered the Grand Dame of the KwaZulu-Natal hotel scene and, after a two-year hiatus, she's back after receiving one serious makeover. The Oyster Box is about as wow as it gets in Durbs, boasting a prime position perched over the sea above Umhlanga's lighthouse.

The embodiment of old-world, colonial cool but with a new contemporary twist, there are three bars to choose from - all with great vistas over the Indian Ocean. And while you won't be watching the sun dipping into the sea anywhere along the east coast, who cares!

You're still in for a spectacularly pretty display as the light softens and the stars come out. We'd recommend the Lighthouse Bar for its elegant, sumptuous aesthetic and great choice of cocktails, while the ultra-chic, all-white Oyster Bar is the ideal stop for splurging on what else but oysters and bubbly.

BEAN BAG BOHEMIA

18 Windemere Road, Morningside, Durban, Tel: 031 309 6019

The vibe, the crowd, the cocktails... Bean Bag Bohemia is a Durban institution and still the ultimate chilled-out spot for sundowners, as any seasoned Durbanite will tell you.

Do as the city's arty and design crowd do and gather at this quirkily eclectic joint for mezze and a potent chocolate martini at the downstairs cafe section. But take caution: chances are that a dusky drink will turn into a night on the town.

GRANNY MOUSE COUNTRY HOUSE & SPA

Granny Mouse Country House & Spa, off the R103, Balgowan,Tel: 033 234 4071

Whether you've been meandering around cheese farms or exerting yourself on a trout weir, there's no better way to end a day in the Midlands than sipping a glass of icy Sauvignon Blanc as you take in the spectacular rolling green hills of the area.

This wonderful country house is just the place to catch the sun go down, and you'll probably never want to leave after a few nights' stay.

Their underground cellar houses an extensive selection of wine and the view from the terrace over the river's edge is terrific.

GAUTENG

MOYO ZOO LAKE

Zoo Lake Park, 1 Prince of Wales Drive, Parkview, Johannesburg, Tel: 011 646 0058

On weekends, Jo'burgers from all parts of the city descend on Zoo Lake to pass a relaxing day in the surrounding park or row dinky boats around its fountain. They clearly know a good thing when they see one, because this green spot in the heart of the CBD is easily one of the prettiest spots to set up camp as the fiery Highveld sun sets.

Book a table on the deck at Moyo Zoo Lake, order a cocktail or two, and you're set for a sublime bit of relaxed revelling, Jozi-style.

SKYE BAR

Holiday Inn Sandton, 123 Rivonia Road, Sandton, Johannesburg, Tel: 011 282 0000

You'll be hard pressed to find a better view of the man-made forest that is Johannesburg than at the glam-deluxe Skye Bar. Situated on the ninth floor of the recently built Holiday Inn Sandton, this chandelier-adorned hotspot can only be described as very Jo'burg.

With its floor-to-ceiling windows, it's got a defi nitive birds-eye view of the busy city below and is a favourite hangout of business types and the city's cool crowd.

Nab a plush window couch, order a single malt, and blend in with the dealmakers who arrive after a busy day at the office to unwind as the sun goes down.

Click here to read about the best Recession-Proof Sundowner spots