Stay: Mount Nelson, A Belmond Hotel
The Grande Dame of The Cape
Cape Town, South Africa
198 rooms, from 1,120 usd per night
One of our very favorite hotels in Cape Town just happens to be one of its most understated, and its oldest:
The century old ‘grande dame’ of the Cape’s hospitality scene, surrounded by lush gardens and a secure estate in the center of the city’s ‘bowl.’ The pink British Colonial estate feels like a world away as rooms with ample light open to a lush, historical resort. In fact, Winston Churchill stayed here in his early days as a news correspondent. Leisure abounds as guests enjoy tennis, an outdoor pool, squash, gym with onsite trainers, and a spa with full amenities including steam and sauna. The restaurants and bar are a timeless institution, including not-to-miss classic English tea service, sundowner cocktails at Planet Bar, and a formal dining venue with a Chef’s Table that is among the best in the city. The decor is formally approachable, with soft furnishings mixed with antiques, patterned wallpapers, and pastels meeting hunting colors in the parlors, a good mix of both masculine and feminine sensibilities. Guests spend celebratory occasions such as their honeymoon and anniversaries here, and for good reason: reviewers rave about the service, calling out staff by name, and others claim it is “10 stars,” “unmatched,” and “an oasis of old school luxury and genuine hospitality.”
Photo Source: Belmond, Traveller Made, Momondo, IGLTA, CN Traveler, Pleasant Holidays
Every publication will feature one unique restaurant, hotel, activity, or other travel discovery that stood out in our research. Some of these are established institutions that deserve repeat merit, while others are hidden gems that are often off the radar of most.
