Vineyard Hotel and Spa's new Garden Suite From 48 Hours
THE Vineyard Hotel and Spa is one of those places many Capetonians have been to over the years. From its historic role as Lady Anne Barnard’s home to its current, entirely contemporary role as premium hotel, spa and provider of excellent cuisines, its longevity means that many have enjoyed it.
I was very excited by the Angsana Spa when it opened there and the hotel unveiled a new wing of contemporary river-side suites.
It hasn’t wavered in its expansion and now neighbouring houses form part of the Vineyard Hotel’s accommodations.
Although rated only four stars, guests experience a five-star property.
Despite knowing the hotel extremely well and having stayed overnight previously, this was the first time I really enjoyed the facilities - the river walk and indoor pool chiefly amongst them.
The Liesbeek river snakes through the property and there is a path through the glorious gardens, verdant and mossy in parts while other sections have tumbling flowers perfuming the air.
The newer wing is also home to The Spash Café for lighter fare and the indoor pool and gym.
Energetic swimmers will be better suited to the adjacent outside pool, as sleek and almost as long an Olympian’s, but for what I wanted to do, gently float (and buoyed but the salt water and champagne previously) the indoor pool it is utterly fabulous.
Although only 15 minutes away from the city, the Vineyard really feels like a refuge.
When the Square, previously the hotel’s Courtyard restaurant was remodelled, a swanky sushi bar was installed. Highlights are the sexy chandeliers, over-sized mirrors and changing under-counter and overhead lighting that melts from red into an icy blue before warming to orange and cooling again to green.
I loved when Philippe Starck used changing lights in his St Martin’s Lane Hotel in London and it certainly adds energy to the experience here.
We enjoyed our Kendo sushi platter - all named after martial art disciplines, (a free glass of bubbly is served with platters ordered on Wednesdays and Fridays between 17h30 and 19h00. I think it’s a good deal.
Keeping things Asian, at breakfast the following morning I ordered Thai rice with chicken which was delicious.
The sushi bar transforms into a juice bar and breakfast buffet come daylight. Delicious pastries and cheeses and a natty honeycomb honey dispenser caught our eye.
We stayed in Garden Suite 190 which is to the far left of the property.
A double-storey family home has been cleverly converted into two, two-bedroomed self catering suites which are ideally suited to a family travelling together.
The kitchen is fully equipped which is a massive money saver for families who are staying for two or three weeks at a time.
For the type of accommodation, not to mention access to all of the hotel’s amenities, R3740 per suite per night is excellent value. The suites also have private access from a double garage nearby and are suitable for guests in wheelchairs.
I did wonder why I felt much smarter than usual after staying there and later found out that Dr Stephen Hawking, arguably the most brilliant man on earth, had slept in the bed previously.
The Vineyard Hotel & Spa
www.vineyard.co.za
021-657-4500.
[21-Aug-08]
Brian Berkman
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