I arrive at the Cape Suites Hotel in Cape Town and wonder what to expect. The friendly reception staff is a good start. I venture into the apartment and find everything I need – separate bedroom, lounge and dining area, and a fully equipped kitchen. The tasteful furnishings in the clean and comfortable unit (thankfully serviced daily) make me immediately feel at home. As I unpack my bag in my one-bedroom suite, I realise that this village-style hotel can be described as offering the best of both worlds. It operates as a hotel with an array of luxury amenities on offer; but its make-up is a little different, consisting of studio, one, two and three bedroom apartment suites.
As a die-hard self-caterer, I am used to holiday cottages, guest farms, or units on an owner’s property. The Cape Suites Hotel shakes my notion of holiday accommodation. Here I can combine a ‘see-to-yourself’ approach with ‘allow yourself to be spoiled by what the hotel offers’. I resolve to have the hotel breakfast in the morning.
The Cape Suites Hotel is nestled at the foot of Table Mountain. I ask the duty manager about the distinct features of the establishment. Jomo Ndabeni enthuses about its ‘location in the upper Cape Town area with the lovely views of Table Mountain, Table Bay and the city skyline’. Sipping a glass of wine on my apartment balcony, I verify his perspective.
Such a convenient location means that you are a stone’s throw away from key attractions in Cape Town. Within minutes I am exploring Rhodes Memorial. From the slopes of the mountain I take in the view, made a little hazy by the rain; but rendering a different charm. I head off to the southern suburbs, take a walk in Maynardville Park and manage to avert the rain by dashing into Four and Twenty Café just across the road in the quaint Chelsea area. The place is warm, the atmosphere inviting, the décor inspiring, and my dog is welcome. Lunch is delectable. Feeling satisfied I continue my explorations.
I also have the option of taking my meals at the hotel. Guests can decide whether to self-cater (all suites have a fully equipped kitchen) or use the hotel’s restaurant, The Village Café, open for lunch and dinner. If you feel peckish after a day in the sun at the upper pool, there is a pizzeria adjacent to it that makes brick oven pizzas. I figure that the pizzeria is probably more popular in summer. Another option, in true South African style, is the BBQ facilities for use by guests.
From my accommodation I am so close to many of the city’s attractions that I feel spoilt for choice. I manage to visit the Company Gardens, V & A Waterfront, and Signal Hill. In the early evening I progress over the mountain to Camp’s Bay and Clifton to enjoy the freshness of the coast. I decide to have my night cap back at the hotel at JC’s Pub on the premises. My glass of red lifts my already high spirits as I chat to fellow ‘pubbers’. The buzz of the pub keeps me giddily happy. I retire to my apartment suite to catch a late movie on DSTV.
One of the unique features of the Cape Suites is that it has pet-friendly rooms. There is no need to leave furry friend at home. It is my dog’s first hotel stay, having done many trips to other types of accommodation (he is clearly a social climber!). At this hotel he can rub shoulders with (or rather rub against) business executives. Because of its range of offerings and locational convenience, the hotel caters for a range of guests including corporate executives, families, sport groups or even the solo traveller. My pet companion is equally at home.
Our trip ends far too quickly. There is always such a lot to explore in Cape Town. The Best Western Cape Suites Hotel surpasses all my expectations. It is a venue now securely on my list of future holiday accommodation. Tried and tested, I know it is an affordable, pleasant and satisfying option. And my dog – he thinks he’s made the ‘bigtime’!