p39-41 ttg_lux_city Cape Town 25/9/09 18:45 Page 41
Clockwise from bottom left:
Cape Grace Hotel; penguin at Boulders
Beach, suite at the Mount Nelson; Cape
Town skyline; Vista Bar at the One&Only;
afternoon tea, Mount Nelson style
The Insider
Nick Seewer, managing director,
Mount Nelson Hotel
“A glorious walk and short climb to the
Elephant’s Eye above the Kirstenbosch
Botanical Gardens provides spectacular
views over False Bay. Another must-do is a
drive to Cape Point including a visit to
Point and takes in the glorious Kirstenbosch meditating in the garden, they were
Boulders Beach and its penguins. The
Cape is synonymous with good food and
botanical gardens. informed he was a paying guest by the
excellent wines: I highly recommend La
Robben Island: seeing Mandela’s cell is an name of John Lennon. We were told our
Colombe and Uitsig in Constantia, Jardine
up-close-and-personal encounter with SA’s beautiful Churchill suite, with its art deco in the city centre, The Grand and laid-back
tumultuous political history. furniture, original paintings and fresh
Sandbar on the Camps Bay beachfront
Winelands: sample great wines at historic flowers, was Charlize Theron’s favourite.
strip. But of course my all-time favourite
Cape Town experience is afternoon tea
estates such Boschendal, with its Hugenot Also, consider the charming garden cottage
taken under the trees in Mount Nelson
heritage, elegant Cape Dutch architecture suites overlooking the tranquil adults-only
Hotel’s sprawling garden.”
and vineyards framed by dramatic pool. The sumptuous Librisa spa was totally
mountains. revamped last year.
False Bay: superb beaches, whale-watching 76 Orange Street. Tel: 0027 21 483 1737,
and pretty coastal towns such as Simon’s mountnelson.co.za
Town, steeped in naval history.
Wildlife: the Cape peninsula is a delight for Cape Grace: this 121-room hotel sits in a
nature lovers with world-famous seasonal prime position overlooking the marina, amid
flowers, sharks, seals, baboons and birdlife the bustle and buzz of the V&A Waterfront.
concierge
Cape Town
including penguins and ostriches. Transformed by a complete makeover last
year, its “Stories of the Cape” design brief has
given it a boutique, nautical feel, with art and When to go: a year- and peninsula. A pictur- In touch:
Rooms
antiques to reflect Cape Town’s rich history round destination, esque train service runs Intl dial code: 00 27 21
We stayed at. . . as a seafaring and trading hub. In its Signal December-January is the from the city to False
One&Only: the city’s newest luxury resort is restaurant, knowledgeable staff pair delicious high season, with crowds Bay andSimon’s Town Culture: the region is a
definitely dressed to impress. As you walk in local wines to match dishes such as ostrich and prices to match. (capemetrorail.co.za). heady mix of cultures,
the front doors you’re immediately struck by carpaccio with fig brulee. Recommend the Spring (Sept-Nov) is nationalities and races.
the opulent chic of the aptly named Vista spacious but cosy luxury terrace rooms. best for seasonal flowers Who goes: half of The upmarket areas
bar-lounge with its triple-height windows West Quay Road, V&A Waterfront. and whale watching. Hollywood and the music contrast sharply with
framing a stunning view of Table Mountain. Tel: 0027 21 410 7100, capegrace.com May-August is autumn- industry has visited extreme poverty seen
You don’t even need to book a suite to feel winter, and is a good recently; expect the in the “informal
the wow factor – the standard rooms are an We also like. . . time for low-season full-on celebrity football settlements”. Tact and
airy 63sq m with lush decor and fully loaded: The Twelve Apostles: with its top spa and deals. Weather is crowd in 2010. sensitivity is probably
Tassimo coffee machine, posh infusions, large spectacular views, this 55-room Leading unreliable but can still the best approach
stand-alone bath, giant bed and flatscreen Small Hotels of the World member is getting be beautiful. Wow factor: charter the when talking about
TV, free WiFi and more – and if there’s talked about and winning awards. One&Only or Cape the region’s politics
anything they haven’t thought of, an Victoria Road, Camps Bay. Getting there: South Grace yachts for wildlife and social issues.
efficient, friendly butler is on hand to help. Tel: 0027 021 437 9000, 12apostleshotel.com African Airways operates and sunset watching
The property’s palm-fringed island reflects a daily direct service with champagne and Coming soon…
the “urban resort” concept: luxuriant foliage, Constantia Uitsig: tiny and exclusive; just 16 from Heathrow oysters. The Pepper Club luxury
villa-suites, large pool and superlative spa. garden rooms and suites set in a wine estate, (flysaa.com). Etihad has apartments with five-star
Dock Road, V&A Waterfront. Tel: 0027 21 421 which boasts a spa and three top restaurants just launched a service Useful contacts: Cape hotel facilities are due to
5888, oneandonlyresorts.com including La Colombe and River Cafe. from its Abu Dhabi hub Town Routes Unlimited, open February 2010
Spaanschemat River Road, Constantia. (etihadairways.com). tourismcapetown.co.za (ipsinvest.com). The Taj
Mount Nelson: from the newest to the Tel: 0027 021 794 6500, South African Tourism, Cape Town is scheduled
oldest – set in nine acres of glorious gardens, constantia-uitsig.com Getting around: 0870 155 0044, to open in December this
this pink palace has been the focal point of recommend clients to southafrica.net year. The former Cunard
Cape high society since 1899. The hotel is
How to book
use taxis booked by flagship QE2 is sailing
infused with colonial glamour and rich ITC Classics offers seven nights at the concierge rather than Time: GMT + 2hrs down from Dubai to be a
history, sharing heritage and furnishings One&Only Cape Town from £2,855pp (room picked up in the street. A floating hotel at the V&A
with the Union-Castle shipping line. A only) including private transfers and SAA hire car is the best way to Cashflow: Waterfront in time for the
typical Mount Nelson tale: when customers flights, departing May 1, 2010. explore the winelands £1 ≈ 13 rand (ZAR) World Cup.
complained about the scruffy hippie Tel: 01244 355505, itcclassics.co.uk ■
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