Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
PUTTING ON THE RITZ
Landmark hotel reopens with old-world glamour, gold palm trees and its famous revolving restaurant
THE RITZ Hotel, a Sea Point landmark, reopened at the end of last year after a R120 million rejuvenation inside and out. Famous for its revolving restaurant on the 23rd floor, Top of The Ritz, the hotel lost lustre over the decades since the 1970s. In 2016, the Ritz Hotel Management Company saw an opportunity to revitalise – and reimagine – this faded star.
“It was a beautiful piece of architecture desperately in need of a new lease on life. We had a clear vision of what we wanted to create and what Cape Town needed,” says marketing manager Lisa Carey.
We asked Carey for more details.
What was involved in this huge project?
It was closed for 14 months while we attended to structural issues and undertook major work. Water supply and electrical work had to be replaced, the pool had to be redone and a new pool deck installed, lifts upgraded, air-conditioning installed. The lobby and first floor needed an overhaul. Each room was gutted and refurnished. As work progressed, the scope increased significantly to meet the quality and standards set by the company.
What was the inspiration for the
decor, style and design?
Old-world glamour of travel, with Miami South Beach style and a tropical resort feel. In the rooms it’s all about “Tom Ford” interiors – dark, moody, sultry, smoky mirrors and clean lines. The wardrobes are Louboutin-inspired – black on the outside and siren red inside. The original Martinique wallpaper used in the CASA restaurant and other areas was sourced from the Beverly Hills Hotel in Los Angeles. The gold palms in the lobby immediately give a sense of holiday resort, and were custom-designed. Gold wall art was designed for The Ritz by local artist Pierre Vermeulen. The pink “Wanderlust” sign over the wallpaper at recep- tion is a playful design element. We don’t take ourselves too seriously. Black, gold and white run throughout the hotel. Only CASA introduces pops of colour – dusty pink and the green from the palms and wallpaper. On the pool deck, you’ll find pops of the trademark Veuve Clicquot yellow as our champagne partner there.
Tell us about the architects and designers involved.
RHMC relied significantly on construction lead expert Pierre
Uys of PPR Construction (previous hospitality projects include Majeka House in Stellenbosch). Uys collaborated closely with a strong in-house hospitality team with decades of experience to knit the various design elements. In a short time we completed the project and opened on December 15.
How do you think your guests will relate to the surroundings you have created?
Our guests love the holiday resort feeling, and identify immediately with the Miami-vibe we are trying to recreate. Locals enjoy the use of the pool with the sun loungers and cabanas, as well as the supervised childrens’ play area as there are not a lot of places to take children and not many glamorous hotspots for mums and children. We have had overwhelmingly good reviews about the food and decor at Top of The Ritz.
What are your favourite things about this property?
The location – each room has an ocean view – and the views from Top of The Ritz. We’re fortunate to operate Cape Town’s only revolving restaurant, which is set to become a destination restaurant for locals and internationals. Being in the heart of Sea Point we are part of a thriving community, and enjoy seeing locals using and loving our space. We’ve heard many stories about the history of the hotel – engagements, weddings, 21st birthday parties, club nights, first dates, love affairs and more. We’ll collate the stories to share with the world.
How can readers create a similar gorgeous style in their homes?
Take style inspiration from Tom Ford and the like – simple, less is more. Sleek and moody – lighting is important to set the mood. Use playful design-driven elements – each item should be considered as to how it contributes to the bigger design, such as mirrors, chairs, table tops, pool towels, parasols and so on. Black and gold sets such a luxury tone, and the resort feel can be achieved by using lush greenery, and prints with palm leaves, pineapples and coconuts.