WINTER TREAT AT TINTSWAL0

Marchelle Abrahams makes the most of the cold by visiting a hotel where she can get her snuggle on

THESE are the things I love best about winter: snuggling up with a good book and a warm throw, and cuddling with my babies while watching a feel-good movie.

My list could go on and on. But most probably the best thing about winter are staycations.

It gives ordinary South Africans the chance to experience the best our country has to offer because off-season means many premier hotels and restaurants are offering discounted winter specials.

It was for this reason I found myself bundled up in a fluffy throw while watching the waves crash against the Atlantic coastline, at the aptly named Tintswalo Atlantic for the evening.

I wasn’t there for the 5-star service or luxuriously appointed room, although I’ll get around to them later. No, my needs were simple. All I wanted was to relax with a book, eat generous amounts of comfort food and walk around in my socks while the underfloor heating took care of the rest.

It’s winter. I should be allowed to take advantage while the cold weather holds out. And what better place than a luxury hotel, perched on the precipice of a rock face while overlooking a vast ocean?

Known as Cape Town’s “bestkept secret”, Tintswalo Atlantic is situated within the Table Mountain National Park. But that’s not its claim to fame. The 5-star establishment sits just below one of South Africa’s most scenic mountain drives – Chapman’s Peak. If hotels won awards on location alone, Tintswalo would take gold.

In 2015, the hotel was almost obliterated by a veld fire. The surrounding landscape bore most of the brunt. Eventually the lodge was rebuilt, almost an exact replica of the original building, and restored to its former glory. Today, it’s one of the top hotels in South Africa and is the recipient of various international awards.

The hotel prides itself on treating its guests to the “Tintswalo experience”. That’s why they only have 10 perfectly appointed suites. Each suite is modelled on islands from around the globe. I was lucky enough to stay in the Cousine Island suite. The island in the Seychelles is famous for its stunning species of shells, fish and marine life.

The room itself has splashing of aqua colours and sea shells strewn around various open spaces, giving the illusion of an underwater world. But the pièce de résistance are the sweeping views of the unrelenting ocean that greet you once you open the doors leading to the secluded balcony.

And then there are the swing chairs, strategically positioned to give a front-row seat to Mother Nature in all her glory. Just climb in with a mug of hot cocoa and you’ll be forgiven for thinking you’re literally hanging off the edge of the world.

If you can bring yourself out of your daydreaming reverie, feed your tummy and your Instagram feed with head chef Guy Clark’s four-course dinner. It’s a foodie experience of gastronomical proportions. Beautifully plated, the combination of flavours is one to be savoured – and no meal is exactly alike. I’ve been told that the menu changes every evening, so if you plan on staying more than one night, it’s best that you make the most of it because watching Clark plate his dishes is like watching an artist putting the finishing touches on his most beloved paintings.

After dinner, you are welcome to sit in the lounge beside a roaring fire, or you could get into bed and wait for the waves to lull you into a deep sleep like I did.

The attentive staff are the backbone of any successful business. And Tintswalo knows the value of their staff like operations manager Jabu, who made sure all our whims were taken care of.

Tintswalo Atlantic has a special “Winter Warmer” package for SA residents at R7 060 a night for two people sharing. Valid from May 1 to August 31, the Winter Warmer includes luxury accommodation in one of the 10 ocean-facing king suites, a light lunch on arrival with a welcome bottle of wine and a full breakfast the next morning. Visit: http://tintswalo.com/atlantic/

Cape Town’s best-kept secret has 10 perfectly appointed suites, each modelled on islands from around the globe

CHARACTER: The reception and lounge is open plan, but still has a homely feel.

TOP DRAWER: The ocean-facing suites have all that you’d expect from a 5-star hotel.

NATURE AT YOUR DOOR: On the edge of the Atlantic Ocean, Tintswalo is never short on views.

FRONT ROW SEATS: If there’s one reason you should visit the hotel, it’s for this view.