Short stay: The Cellars-Hohenort, Cape Town
On my latest visit to South Africa, we stayed at the beautiful Cellars-Hohenort in the Constantia region on the outskirts of Cape Town. This is the oldest wine growing region in the southern hemisphere, dating back to 1685, and a great location for anyone visiting Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, widely regarded as one of the finest in the world.
The welcome
We were welcomed with drinks and canapés (including biltong) and a spa treatment – a great start to the day after a long flight! In my room was a lovely welcome note, a complimentary bottle of Klein Constantia Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot, a bowl of fruit and one or two other treats.
The room
My room was a beautiful suite, away from the main hotel building, with its own secluded garden.
Inside, there was a modern look, ample space, a super-comfy bed and a separate lounge area accompanied by a good choice of magazines, plus an area where I could work and make use of the free WiFi which was perfectly reliable.
The bathroom
The bathroom was clean and modern, with gowns/slippers provided and super-fluffy towels. A large walk-in shower (out of shot to the left) was also available.
The facilities
Breakfast was in the main building and could be enjoyed inside or out – a buffet affair, plus the opportunity to choose from a menu of cooked items.
As well as the spa already mentioned, there are two outdoor pools, a tennis court and Gary Player golf green.
The grounds are well tended and fairly extensive (almost 10 acres), making for a leisurely morning or afternoon stroll.
One of the highlights at The Cellars-Hohenort has to be the Greenhouse Restaurant – make sure you try the signature dessert of Camembert cheesecake – not a cheesecake made of Camembert, I hasten to add, but one that resembles one and is served complete with cheese knife!
A nearby park (turn right out of the hotel entrance and it is a few hundred metres down the road on the left) is ideal for jogging off any over-indulgence.
Other nice touches
The hotel put on a wine tasting evening for us where there were three wineries from Constantia represented. Very informative and enjoyable, too.
Cost
Standard double rooms start from 3,200 South African rands out of season or from 5,600 for a suite.
The best bit
Dinner in The Greenhouse Restaurant, led by Cape Town’s first Relais & Chateaux Grand Chef, Peter Tempelhoff.
The final verdict
A lovely, relaxed hotel and a great base away from the hustle and bustle of the city centre. Worth a visit, even if it’s just for dinner, but I’d recommend staying there, too.
Holy crap that is a beautiful hotel! What I would do to be laying in that pool right now. And to be greeted with a spa service? Yes please!
Paul, What a beautiful hotel. That white garden and reflecting pool is a welcome site after such a brutal winter. It’s nice the hotel has wine tasting so you can take advantage of the nearby vineyards. And that squid? along with that clever cheesecake from the Greenhouse Restaurant looks delish.
It seems to be a really amazing hotel! The room and the bathrooms look great, but what I found most appealing is the dinner, it looks something exquisite!
So I could (hypothetically, of course ;P) lounge in that gorgeous deep tub, sip wine and eat that incredible sounding cheesecake? What wine would you suggest for shameless self-indulgence? Looks gorgeous!
That hotel looks really nice, specially because of the wine cellar. If I ever visit Capetown with a big budget I will definitely visit this hotel!
PS. That food looks deliciously good!!! :D
Welcomed by a spa treatment? This place must be amazing :)! Hope to visit Capetown soon and I may just hop by this hotel if only to explore the grounds and see the building!
The hotel and the area look beautiful! This is going to sound funny but when I travel long term, at the places where I usually stay, my room is the size of the bathroom you guys have here (and that’s when I have my own room :)))
It really looks beautiful!
The garden and the bedroom have a sort of British feeling that I absolutely love.
South Africa is on my bucket list, and I’ll definitely keep in mind this place
Wow! That looks so nice! No wonder your blog is called luxury travel! Certainly looks luxurious! I would probably spend like 95% of my time there in that bathtub! So relaxing!
Wow that is an amazing place to stay, not sure my travel budget would include that. Loved the review.
Looks like the perfect place from which to explore wine country. A private garden is a nice touch. :)
It looks beautiful. I wouldn’t mind spending a weekend there and enjoying some wine and what looks like delicious food. :)
Ohh wow Cape Town is so far up my list it’s not even funny. That food looks absolutely amazing as well :)
The hotel looks beautiful! We would love to go down to South Africa’s wine country! We live up in Northen California’s wine country at the moment and our latest hobby has been wine. Very jealous!
Hi Paul, this hotel looks amazing!, reminds me a little of Lake District hotels – nice gardens and restaurant. I would never leave though too much eating and drinking plus sitting in the tub!.
Hi Aaron… I suppose it is similar in some respects (I live on the edge of the Lake District), but just without the guarantee of sunshine! There are some excellent hotels here also, many set in beautiful surroundings and with good restaurants, with even a smattering of Michelin stars here and there.
Thank you for the comments everyone, by the way… sorry I can’t respond to you all personally… my inbox seems to be taking over my life these days!!!