Cape Grace

Cape Town, South Africa
West Quay Road

The Experience

The Cape Grace is universally regarded as one of the top hotels in Africa. But it won't hit you right away as to why. There's no sprawling atrium in the lobby, no Old World charm, no hip minimalism. In fact, you may stop by the modest, antique desk that serves as a check-in counter, get comfortable in your room and head to the sunlit library, with shelf after shelf of rare books—with everyone in between suddenly knowing your name—before it hits you: Everything about this hotel feels easy. Still, there is one thing dramatic about this hotel set on a private quay along the Atlantic's Table Bay: the full-on views of Table Mountain.

The Rooms

You'll find easy elegance in all 121 rooms as well—generously proportioned with mahogany furniture and claw-foot bathtubs. Throughout 2008, each of the rooms was refurbished and refashioned with exclusive fabrics (all painted by hand) and custom-made metal, glass and leather items, as well as with old antiques and artifacts. At nearly 500 square feet, rooms feel even bigger due to the French doors that look out onto the marina, harbor or that dramatic mountain view (it goes without saying to skip the less exciting harborside rooms). Again, there's nothing overly special about them, but everything they have just feels comfortable and classy. Superior rooms get you a bit more space, along with a balcony big enough for a couple of chairs, while suites really ramp up the space in the rooms and on the balconies. However, the noise of the ships and waterfront makes the balcony less of an incentive than it sounds.

The Service

Somewhere between the chatty staff at Bascule Bar and the housekeeper who mops the floor within minutes of a bathtub overflow lies the key to the Cape Grace's efficient yet unpretentious service. Amazingly, an offhand remark to the concierge one Sunday morning about a lack of sterling and elephant hair bracelets at the local weekly market resulted in a personal visit that afternoon by one of the most well-regarded jewelers in town. The staff here lives and breathes bespoke.

The Highlights

Locals and hotel guests alike gather in the chic Bascule Bar, with its well-stocked whiskey cellar straddling the marina, while the simple yet elegant Onewaterfront's modern South African cuisine also draws a lively, all-ages crowd (try the seafood chowder and crayfish medallions). The Spa at Cape Grace offers relaxation in a contemporary setting; ride the elevator to the top floor and indulge in the African Cape Massage, which draws on the customs of the local Khoi San people. Or call for an in-room treatment; a massage with a view of Table Mountain combines Cape Grace's top-notch service with its most dramatic element.

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