A 12 hour flight, 2 hours of Johannesburg airport shenanigans, a connecting flight to Cape Town and a transfer to the hotel.
Total travel time? 17.5 hours, door to door.
The moment the front doors of the Cape Grace Hotel opened, we were transported from the chaos of city life to a world of lush comfort and elegant hospitality.
The Cape Grace Hotel
We registered at one of the two large, graceful desks that stand at the top of the marble entry steps. One quick signature in the ivory pages of the registration book and we were officially Cape Grace guests for the next 4 nights.
Cape Grace Rooms
Every room at the Cape Grace is different, a result of the spectacular redesign by Kathrin Weixelbaumer. I ooh-ed and ahh-ed around our room (much to the amusement of the porter) and wonder if all of the rooms are as lovely as mine.
The room itself is spacious and airy with plenty of modern touches …flat screen tv, ipod docks, complimentary wifi and a safe large enough to hold my oversized laptop. But it’s the little things in the room that steal my heart.
The silver bowl of lemons set out near the complimentary fully-stocked bar (gin and tonic, anyone?) and tea service. The assortment of delicious snacks tucked away in the fridge with a tiny pitcher of milk for my first cup of morning coffee. The fresh flowers, the personalized selection of books and magazines stacked on the side tables.
Our room overlooked the marina and Signal Hill. I slid the upholstered armchair in front of the french doors and watched the clouds curl over the top of Table Mountain while I had afternoon tea. Bliss.
The bathrooms are a large and lux with walk-in showers, double marble sinks and something I don’t have in our London flat…an oversized tub, perfect for soaking away a day of travel. My evenings are suddenly sorted.
The Cape Grace public spaces are a feast for the senses. As you walk through the hallways, lobbies and landings you realize every design element is part of a story.
The walls are filled with hand-painted murals depicting scenes from Cape Town’s history. The antiques, shipwreck treasures and elegant script-filled fabrics throughout the hotel tell part of the story. The Cape Grace subtly envelopes guests in the maritime history and culture of Cape Town.
It’s tempting to spend our afternoon in the library having afternoon tea and cakes, but we know that we need to keep moving after a long flight and reluctantly drag ourselves away from the serenity of the Cape Grace into the bright, spring sunshine of our first day in Cape Town.
photo credits: Some photos are my own. Some are courtesy of Cape Grace.
Things to Know About Staying at Cape Grace
General Info: You can check the most current booking information here or call +27 21 410 7100 Cape Grace has 120 rooms and suites, a fitness studio, heated swimming pool, 24 hour room service, multi-lingual staff members and a beautiful spa. Cape Grace is one of the Leading Hotels of the World.
Location: The Cape Grace hotel is well located on the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront, an area filled with shops, restaurants and sightseeing opportunities (the boat to Robbens Island leaves from the V & A waterfront). The hotel offers free car service within 10km, so guests can explore Cape Town beyond the waterfront as well. Taxis are available from the front of the hotel. The concierge can arrange a car hire or tours.
Details: The daily breakfast in the on-site restaurant, Signal, is legendary They offer a buffet of luscious flaky pastries, yogurts, meats, cheeses, smoothies and fruits in addition to sublime offerings on the cooked breakfast menu. Yes, I had both. Daily.
Wifi (limited) was complimentary, parking was free.
Recommended For: Couples, families, girls weekends, friends.
Cape Grace accommodates families well and offers multi-room suites, adjoining rooms, mini-robes and slippers for the little ones and story-time in the library!
Don’t miss: Bascule, the on-site whiskey, wine and cocktail bar is a fabulous place for adults to unwind after dinner or a long day sightseeing. Don’t miss wandering through Bascule to check out the whiskey collection and wine cellar.
Sunset on Table Mountain. Order picnic lunches from the hotel, pack a bottle of wine, reserve the hotel car service and get gondola tickets from the concierge. Catch the last cable car up Table Mountain and raise a glass as the sun sinks below the horizon. Perfect.
The decor. Even if you aren’t a design or decor fan, it’s an interesting aspect of the hotel. I’ll admit to wandering every floor of the hotel and trying to read the library curtains and chair backs when I thought no one was looking. You can read about the local craftsmen, companies and artists who contributed to the project here, here and here.
Would I stay again? Absolutely. If you’d like to read more reviews about Cape Grace, try here.
The hotel was beautiful and elegant without being stuffy. The location was perfect for day trips to Cape Point, the Winelands and city sightseeing. What impressed me the most, however, was the incredibly gracious and knowledgeable Cape Grace staff who worked daily to make our stay something exceptional.
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