Elite Traveler January-February 2019

SUITE SLEEP

PENTHOUSE SUITE Cape Grace Hotel

PRESIDENTIAL SUITE Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel

Popular with celebrities and dignitaries for its single entrance on its own quay, Cape Grace, of Leading Hotels of the World, also attracts design and history fans who admire how its decor reflects Cape Town’s culture. With a nautical theme, antiques, African artifacts, sumptuous fabrics, stunning reproductions and unique chandeliers, each room bears its own motif. Families might choose the two- or three-bedroom suites, while the most luxurious room for couples is the 860-sq-ft Penthouse Suite, with a 500-sq-ft balcony and its own private Jacuzzi. Its English-regal-meets-French- boudoir style exudes cozy swank. From $1,880 per night. Contact Lianne Kelly-Maartens, executive sales manager, lianne@capegrace.com, +27 214 107 100, capegrace.com

The Pink Lady. It sounds like a cocktail. But it also describes a classic hotel, painted a rosy blush, with commodious rooms. It was built for colonial times — an era when people brought along their own bone china and crystal for long stays. In homage to more than a century of history, Mount Nelson’s Presidential Suite sports vintage touches — such as a desk that dates back to 1899 and circa 1930s light fixtures. Enter via a marble foyer, which leads to an ample lounge. Here, you’ll find a dining area, wet bar and two grand bedrooms. But no accoutrements can compete with the view of Table Mountain from your balcony. From $1,200 per night. Contact Xavier Lablaude, general manager,

PENTHOUSE SUITE The Silo

Owner/designer Liz Biden puts a fanciful spin on every project. At The Silo, located in the top of a refurbished, historic grain elevator, she presents her eclectic vision, weaving into it the spirit of the new Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (MOCAA), which comprises a number of stories in the same structure. Taking industrial chic to new heights (no pun intended), the hotel looms over the Victoria & Albert Waterfront, showcasing astounding vistas. The Penthouse Suite on the 10th floor, crowned only by a rooftop pool and bar, has a James Bond sexy boldness, plus Biden’s usual ingenious use of color and whimsical extravagance, such as a clawfoot tub with a view. From $4,900 per night. Contact Hoon Kim, concierge, hoon@thesilohotel.com, +27 216 700 509, theroyalportfolio.com

xavier.lablaude@belmond.com, +27 214 831 000, belmond.com

THE VILLAS Ellerman House

The splendor of Ellerman House, a Relais & Châteaux hotel, begins with its restored Edwardian mansion main house, which sets a posh mood in Bantry Bay, one of the city’s most exclusive enclaves. While the original hotel (an aesthete’s haven, it displays hundreds of peerless works of art) channels classic opulence, the newer, ultra-contemporary villas reference the Mother City’s modern glitter and glamour. Each of the two villas boasts a pool, kitchen, private terraces, personal chefs and attentive staff. Bi-level Villa One has three bedrooms, a library and television room, while Villa Two, built atop a wine gallery, features a cinema and an elaborate stairwell hand-forged by Conrad Hicks, a local metal artist. Both command jaw-dropping views of the sea. Villa One from $5,912 per night; Villa Two from $5,216 per night. Contact Lindsy Terry, marketing director, lindsy@ellerman.co.za, +27 214 303 200, ellerman.co.za

OUT AND ABOUT

WINE DOWN Oenophiles: Explore the Winelands, less than an hour from Cape Town, as a day trip. Or, amid the verdant, vined expanses, enjoy small towns such as Stellenbosch and Franschhoek. With more than a dozen designated wine routes and beaucoup wineries, choosing where to go can be a challenge. Leave the planning to Stephen Flesch, who organizes customized tours. The former chairman of the Wine Tasters Guild naturally knows all the best places and hidden gems. gourmetwinetours.co.za

NIGHTAT THEMUSEUM For business travelers who need an impressive event venue, Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (MOCAA) provides a unique setting. Located at the V&AWaterfront, MOCAA holds a cache of remarkable art, displayed in the refurbished historic silo. Party after hours in the atrium in the heart of the hotel, or have your fête at The Venue on the sixth floor, which overlooks the rooftop sculpture garden. A collaboration with Cape Town’s The Aleit Group ensures successful soirées. zeitzmocaa.museum

WATERWORLD Churning water, rugged shorelines and magnificent marine creatures define South Africa’s Cape Coast. Thousands of tourists (and locals) visit each year to observe the point of confluence of the Indian and Atlantic oceans at Cape Point. From the touristy (but entertaining) V&A Waterfront to posh Bantry Bay to Boulders Beach and penguin spotting, an array of seaside options beckon. Arrive in style by private yacht; Private Yacht Charters organizes trips in boats of all sizes. privateyachtcharters.co.za

RETAIL THERAPY Discriminating shoppers live for the joy of finding that perfect object to commemorate a trip. Join an insider from Explore Sideways for a bespoke ramble through Cape Town. On a bubbly-fueled, all-day trek, visit couture ateliers, art galleries, jewelry workshops, leather boutiques and decor stores. You’ll learn local shopping secrets and meet artists, fashion newsmakers and designers. Choose the add-on option, which brings a jewelry designer right to your hotel to create a custom piece. exploresideways.com