Cape Cadogan Boutique Hotel
"Start us off with an overview.This 15-room Georgian-era townhouse, tucked away in a residential street in Gardens (a fashionable neighborhood known for its restaurants, bars, and interior shops), is full of surprises. From the outside, it looks like a stand-alone private home complete with crisp white paintwork, black shutters, manicured front garden and tucked away pool terrace. Step inside and you enter a labyrinth of Bohemian chic-meets-contemporary cool interiors, upstairs and downstairs, that forms part of a village with sister property More Quarters. As you walk in, there’s an elegant lounge with dark velvet sofas and a fireplace to the right, and a reception area down the picture-lined passage. A breakfast room leads into a sunny courtyard with lush plants and a small pool. Who else is there?Street-wise, independent travelers wanting to immerse themselves in the city, and live like locals without any of the hassle. How was check-in? It feels like you’re being welcomed into a private home, as the staff have been trained to the highest standards by the owners, who own several luxury lodges in private game reserves in South Africa and Zimbabwe. You really don’t have to think, as they do everything for you. Jewel-bright macarons and sweets set a tone of abundant generosity at check-in. Tell us about your room.I stayed in a street-level luxury suite with its own spacious sun terrace and private pool. it had a separate lounge with a generous minibar, Nespresso machine and the bedroom was open-plan to the bathroom, although the loo and shower were glassed in. Request a room with a separate bathroom if you prefer. Upstairs rooms have Table Mountain views from tiny view balconies. Do they serve food on-site here, and if so, how is it?A hearty breakfast with lots of healthy choices is included in the rate. There are dozens of excellent restaurants within walking distance, although you are also welcome to order takeouts—served in the dining room or in your room. How about the staff? Anyone you'd like to thank for a job well done?I wanted to walk to the Mount Nelson, a few blocks down, but one of the hotel’s security guard insisted on walking with me and seeing me safely through the gates. When I wanted to walk back, the hotel driver came to pick me up. Anything else you want to note, or features you're still dreaming about?A listed national monument, the original 19th century Georgian house with Victorian influences was transformed into a small hotel as part of a larger project by the owners, the More family, to inject new life into the quaint streets surrounding it. A second establishment, More Quarters, includes self-catering studios ideal for families. The entire hotel has fast fibre-optic internet access, double glazing on all the windows to muffle any city sounds, and in-house tour guides with vehicles at the ready to whisk guests up Signal Hill to run on the mountain trails or watch the sun rise over the city while tucking into a picnic breakfast. There are always freshly baked macarons at the front desk to nibble on, and an Apple Mac and library for guest use. Bottom line: worth it, and why?It won’t be easy to find a smart room in such a brilliant location, as slickly managed, luxurious or private as Cape Cadogan at this price anywhere else in Cape Town." - Jane Broughton
