CAPE TOWN HOTEL

Tucked away on a cobbled city square, a heritage building in CAPE TOWN has been transformed into LABOTESSA – an understated and elegant lifestyle hotel.

There’s a space-time portal in CapeTown.

It’s at the corner of Bureau and Parliament Streets. Drive up Adderley, past the Groote Kerk, take a left into Bureau … and suddenly you’re in a small corner of another city.

It’s a Parisian vista – a quiet little cobbled square overseen by an imposing multi-gabled, granite building and flanked by three more classically elegant structures. Mercifully free of parked cars, there are people sitting on benches enjoying the last rays of spring sunshine and, outside a hotel, a few more taking their afternoon tea. This is Church Square – one of Cape Town’s quiet little gems and home to Labotessa, a new type of hotel in the Mother City.

Its proprietors are Johan du Plessis and Jan Fourie, two lifelong friends whose successful careers took them far away from the neighbouring Free State farms they grew up on. Jan, a global citizen residing in North America, Europe and Cape Town, is a doctor, businessman and philanthropist, while Johan is a hotelier who has opened and run hotels quite literally across the globe – from Los Angeles, through Europe, to Tokyo and Shanghai.

In size and appearance, Labotessa might appear to be a boutique hotel – there are six front-facing suites and a penthouse – but Johan is clear that it extends to something more. “Particularly here in South Africa, I think we get stuck on the idea of boutique hotels. In terms of size, yes we may be, but we’re aiming at the lifestyle traveller. And what that means is that our guests want to continue their usual lifestyle, but in a different city. When they arrive here they can – just as they may do at home – wake at 6am and order a cup of coffee, or if they want a later checkout, it’s not restricted by traditional checkout times.”

For Johan, it is this genuinely personal service that is the key. It’s why Labotessa doesn’t have a traditional reception desk – instead you are met at the door by a member of staff who will also check you in via a remote device and take you up to your room. It’s the kind

of personal attention that also sees Johan opening the hotel early in the morning and wishing his guests a good night as he closes up.

This hands-on approach extends to Labotessa’s design and décor as well. Based on his hotelier experience of guest requirements, the flow a hospitality establishment needs, and the kind of materials to be used in areas that are subject to high wear, Johan and Jan both penned the interior structure and decorated it.

“It’s about simplicity, sophistication and the feeling of relaxation,” says Johan describing Labotessa’s style. “The rooms are opulent but the quality and space shine through. We have done our job if a guest leaves here and, while they may perhaps not remember a specific colour or detail of the building, they will remember a hotel in the corner of a square that was exquisite because of the quality, detail and personal service.” labotessa.com

In its SIZE and APPEARANCE, Labotessa might appear to be a boutique hotel, but JOHAN is clear it extends to something BEYOND THAT.

‘‘The rooms are OPULENT, but the QUALITY and SPACE shine through.’’ - Johan du Plessis

‘‘It’s about SIMPLICITY, SOPHISTICATION and the feeling of RELAXATION.’’

This is the lower level of the Governor Suite and like much of Labotessa’s décor, it originated from co-owner Johan du Plessis taking long walks through Cape Town to see what was on offer. The ceiling light fitting is custom made by The Artisan Lighting Design, the carpet is from LUND Rug Gallery, and the paintings are by Johan van Vuuren. Like all those in the property, appliances are by Smeg.

TOP The mezzanine level in the entrance hall features more LEON at CCIX custom furniture, with a bookcase by MSM Kitchens and a cement-mould fireplace that’s been locally made to replicate a 17th-century French design. The Persian rug is sourced from Tirmah Interiors. BOTTOM LEFT AND RIGHT Like most fabrics in the hotel, the curtains have a soft, simple texture. All the rooms have an open closet space that fits well with the open-plan layout, and the top of the chest of drawers has been specifically designed to house a large suitcase. OPPOSITE A space-saving barn-type door affords entrance to the luxuriously appointed bathroom.

THIS PAGE The Governor Suite’s main bedroom features crisp white linen, while the Milanese lamps sourced from Lights By Linea are all suspended from the ceiling to allow more table space. All lights in the room can be controlled from the light/plug/ USB panel. OPPOSITE TOP Japanese-inspired Cole and Son wallpaper sourced by SKEP Studio with custom sofa and table by LEON CCIX; view over the city from the Governor Suite's entertainment deck. BOTTOM And to the right, a glimpse of one of Cape Town’s few art deco gems. “Timeless quality and practicality” was the aim for the bathrooms, featuring Calacatta marble tiles and fittings from Yourspace Bathrooms.