What began as a collaboration to meet the unique needs of a luxury train in motion has evolved into a decades-long relationship marked by mutual respect and innovation.
Since their shared inception in 1989, Victorian Bathrooms and Rovos Rail have cultivated a partnership rooted in craftsmanship, elegance, and a reverence for timeless design. What began as a collaboration to meet the unique needs of a luxury train in motion, resulting in bespoke elements like a deeper soap basket, has evolved into a decades-long relationship marked by mutual respect and innovation.
At the heart of this alliance are Rohan and Anthea Vos, the visionary founders of Rovos Rail, whose unwavering attention to detail and appreciation for heritage aesthetics have helped shape every facet of their renowned enterprise. Victorian Bathrooms is both honoured and privileged to have remained their chosen bathroomware supplier throughout this remarkable journey spanning decades.
Rovos Rail is synonymous with world-class luxury rail travel, an experience that invites passengers to rediscover the romance of a bygone era. Aboard its magnificently restored wood-panelled trains, guests are transported across Africa’s most breathtaking landscapes, immersed in an atmosphere where leisure is slow, elegant, and steeped in tradition. The journey includes sumptuously appointed sleeping suites, each with its own en-suite bathroom, some even offering full-size baths, alongside dedicated dining, lounge, and observation cars, all designed to evoke a golden age of travel.
What many may not know is that the Rovos experience extends beyond the rails to the shores of Cape Town. In the coastal enclave of St James, nestled between the storied tidal pools and the vibrant sidewalk cafés of False Bay, Rovos Rail has lovingly restored two luxurious guesthouses: St James Manor and Homestead Villa.
These stately seaside properties reflect the grandeur of South Africa’s early gold and diamond-mining era, offering a sophisticated coastal retreat with the same meticulous detail that defines Rovos Rail.
Most recently, St James Manor, a gracious home over a century old, has undergone a significant transformation. Inside, a sweeping wood-panelled staircase leads to five spacious double suites and one twin bedroom, each named after a historic figure of the St James area. As part of the renovation, Anthea Vos, in collaboration with Vaniti House, reimagined the Manor’s bathrooms, creating a series of spaces that marry comfort with coastal exuberance.
Each suite features twin basins, generous freestanding baths, and oversized showers, all appointed with fittings from Victorian Bathrooms. The design embraces playful tilework and striking wallpapers from Cara Saven Design, resulting in bathrooms that feel both indulgent and deeply personal.
The renovation of St James Manor underscores Rovos Rail’s commitment to offering authentic, luxurious experiences, whether on land or rail. With its unbeatable location where the mountain meets the sea, the Manor is a well-kept secret loved by solo travellers and families alike. It’s a place where old-world charm meets modern refinement and where guests, once discovered, return time and again. We are confident that our remarkable partnership with Rovos will likewise endure long into the future.
