South Africa’s Mother City is one of the most beautiful destinations in the world, and extremely popular with US visitors because it’s located in the Southern Hemisphere, making it the perfect warm weather escape. Baroque Travel finds out about a new place to stay on the Atlantic seaboard
The Ritz in Cape Town’s Sea Point has been a city landmark since it first opened in the 1970s. Now, after a major $12 million refurbishment, this luxury hotel has reopened and its new iteration is causing quite a stir. The hotel’s new lease on life has made it a shining star, popular with both residents and visitors who are currently enjoying the glorious South African summer months. Cape Town is exceptionally scenic and offers stunning weather right through until the end of March, so if you are feeling the cold and would like a warm-weather getaway, there is no place better to visit right now.
The five-star Ritz Sea Point’s new iteration features luxury contemporary design. It’s a sleek reincarnation of its former self, decorated in a colour palette of black, gold and white. There are currently 114 rooms and suites open (the other 99 rooms and suites are currently being refurbished and will be completed later this year). All the guest rooms offer every luxury facility and spectacular, panoramic sea and city views.
The hotel’s iconic revolving restaurant on the 23rd floor has reopened; the Top of the Ritz is fast becoming one of the most sought-after dining destinations in the Mother City. It offers gourmet fare enjoyed with one of the most breathtaking views available of Cape Town, and is once again being chosen as the best place to celebrate a special occasion.
A floor below the restaurant is the Dom Perignon Champagne Lounge, one of only a handful in the world. Sipping French bubbly with spectacular views is an extraordinary experience. Then, on the hotel’s 21st floor there’s the Hennessy Cognac Cigar Lounge where guests go to enjoy after-dinner drinks and late-night cocktails. The stunning views are again a highlight of the occasion.
The hotel’s CASA Restaurant & Cabanas brings a touch of Miami South Beach to Cape Town’s Sea Point, offering all-day al fresco dining to guests and visitors. Tables flow out to a gorgeous sun-splashed pool deck, which is home to yet another champagne bar. This one is the Veuve Cliquot Bar, open so that one can enjoy French champagne and soak up the sun simultaneously. This location is where guests go to spend the day in one of the hotel’s exclusive poolside Ritz Cabanas.