The five-star Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa, Cape Town was recently voted the No. 1 City Hotel and No. 1 Hotel Spa in Africa and the Middle East in Travel & Leisure’s 2009 World’s Best Awards, and gained an impressive score of 94.2 in the Condé Nast Traveler magazine 2009 Readers’ Choice Awards. And this fine hotel has now been further enhanced with an extensive multi-million Rand structural and interior design refurbishment.
President and Founder Beatrice Tollman and her daughter Toni, inspired by the panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean and towering peaks of the Twelve Apostles Mountains, have created a fresh and calming design scheme that artfully combines sophistication with simplicity and comfort with elegance.
The glorious seclusion of the surroundings has been used to great effect with the natural feel and character of the environment being echoed throughout the individually designed bedrooms, lobby, corridors, the 24-hour Cafe and the one of a kind Presidential Suite. The ambiance has been achieved with light yet warm fabrics, natural wooden shutters in the bedrooms, plus various designs and colours of Bodrum marble and Thassos beige and white marble to create a delightfully decadent feeling in all the custom-built bathrooms – for convenience a pale blue LED night light provides subtle illumination.
Each en suite bedroom has been carefully decorated to suit every very taste, using luxurious fabrics and soothing colour hues, beautiful antiques and custom furniture. White hardwood plantation shutters adorn the windows, which lead out to private balconies overlooking the Atlantic Ocean or to the famous fynbos vegetation nestling below the magnificent Twelve Apostles Mountain range. Beds are the ultimate in luxury, complete with 400 thread count sheets allowing guests the most perfect nights sleep.
Skilled craftsmen from the local area, and further afield, provide a number of the more unusual items, such as chandeliers made from recycled clay and candy stripe wool carpets to emphasise the relaxed beach feel of Cape Town. A host of other thoughtful details have been added to meet every conceivable need and desire with the latest technology flat screen TVs in all rooms, iPod docking stations and wi-fi for sheer business convenience, all discreetly in evidence, while the walls are adorned with impressive art purchased from local artists and from antique houses round the world. The extensive grounds, already boasting a superb selection of sculptures, have become a showcase for the work of the most talented local artists.
The piece de résistance is the magnificent Presidential Suite, which has undergone a complete transformation, finished with perfect architectural details and the utmost attention to detail. Taking up almost the entire top floor of the hotel, the layout is immensely flexible with a large lounge, wood panelled study and dining area. The suite easily transforms to provide 1, 2 or 3 bedrooms en suite as required. The principal bathroom and bedroom have been significantly extended, affording sweeping uninterrupted views of the Atlantic Ocean, Lions Head and the Twelve Apostles Mountains.
A freestanding, antique marble bath allows guests to relax and unwind while taking in the breathtaking views and the immensity of the blue ocean. The superb seclusion of the private terrace offers the most perfect setting for an intimate cocktail at sunset, or private dinner for two. The decor of brilliant white silks, taffeta and lush custom fabrics in ice blues offers a fresh and vibrant feel of lightness and soothing tranquillity. Chests of drawers have custom crystal knobs and the principal bedroom’s custom made headboard is upholstered in ice blue silk is tufted with over 600 clear crystal buttons.
The floors are cool white marble throughout with under floor heating, white chandeliers from Capri, Italy and walls adorned with antique mirrors; some clad with a specially designed sculptural effect and exquisite mosaics. The dining area seating ten, allows their Executive Chef to prepare for you and your guests a private dinner according to your personal selections and while these are prepared, enjoy a specially mixed cocktail of your choice at your private bar while sitting on Italian designed barstools covered in pale blue leather.
