Class is permanent, so they say. And nowhere is this more true than at the Cape Grace. With hotels springing up with alarming regularity in and around the fairest Cape, this hallowed establishment has retained its position as the Mother City’s most iconic hotel. No fall from Grace here, quite the opposite in fact.
Fashioned in the shape of a ship that has just cruised into Table Bay, and nestled beneath the majestic Table Mountain, the Cape Grace forms the picture perfect postcard of its city namesake. And it carries an air of understated elegance, so often missing from the more grandiose hotels in Cape Town.
The Rhino Africa team last inspected the Cape Grace before it was almost entirely refurbished and another visit was long overdue. We didn’t really know what to expect but we were mightily impressed by the changes. As soon as we entered the reception, African artefacts, handpainted curtains, and curiously decorated chandeliers greeted us in all their glory. All the decor and crafts are locally produced and reflect a sense of the cosmopolitan and multicultural Cape. From the wall paintings of the rugged Table Mountain to the black and white photographs of the city, tailormade carpets to the brass antiques, there is a sense of exclusivity that lies at the heart of the Cape Grace.
There are a total of 121 rooms and suites and each offers refined luxury with a view of Table Mountain or the Waterfront Marina. The luxury rooms are entry level and anything but standard with king-size beds, shower and bath, walk-in dressing rooms and sliding doors that open to the soft sea breeze. Moving up, the rooftop terraces and suites are more spacious with private balconies just tailormade for whiling the days away, while there are more luxurious penthouses as well as larger apartments with 1, 2 or 3 bedroooms that can cater for families or groups. So there really is something for everyone.
But what is so impressive is the attention to detail. Lining the corridors on each floor are an array of traditional arts and crafts that would not look out of place in a museum. Each of the rooms is different and modelled on a unique South African flower. Forget soulless white walls and impersonal rooms – everything has a touch of class at the Cape Grace.
The Conference room and Communication Centre are ideal for guests who need to combine pleasure with business, and are both so comfortable and well-appointed that the lines may soon become blurred. The Spa is inviting with its mosaic tiles and each treatment room imbued with a different spice, reflecting the history of the Spice trade across Africa.
And the Bascule bar – how we could forget the bar with the largest collection of whiskies in the southern hemisphere? And if malts are not your thing, then there is a selection of wine, cocktails and other beverages to quench your thirst. The bar is hidden away downstairs and embodies the galley of a ship – all you need is a parched sailor sipping a cognac beside you and after a few whiskies, anything is possible!
We were treated to a decadent breakfast – the only problem was trying to decide whether it would be poached or scrambled eggs, Portuguese or regular omelette, fruit smoothie or cranberry juice, waffles or smoked salmon bagel, filter coffee or capuccino, and so on. Eventually we managed to decide and after a wonderful feast in the Signal Restaurant, so named after the nearby Signal Hill, it was time to go back to work. Unfortunately so.
We could go on for ages about all the accolades and awards bestowed upon this elegant hotel, but there really is no need. Its class is permanent and plain for all to see, and there is simply nowhere quite like the Cape Grace.
Contact Rhino Africa to plan your trip to Cape Town or elsewhere in Africa!