Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)

It’s the best location in cape town

Take in views of the beautiful waters of the Atlantic Ocean and the private marina from the Radisson Blu Hotel Waterfront in Cape Town

- BIANCA COLEMAN

where

100 Beach Road, Granger Bay, Cape

Town

email

THE THREE most wonderful words in the English language we all want to hear? “I love you” and “you’ve lost weight” are right up there, but for the frequent traveller they are “you’ve been upgraded”.

This is what happened when we checked in at the Radisson Blu hotel in Granger Bay, near the V&A Waterfront.

To be fair, even a standard room there is going to be perfectly acceptable – it will have all the essentials like bathrobes and slippers, free wi-fi, tea- and coffee-making facilities and a mini bar.

Our two-bedroomed, twobathroo­m suite, however, took it all to a whole new luxurious level.

The bedrooms and bathrooms were separated by a large open-plan lounge and kitchenett­e, ensuring much-appreciate­d privacy. (My friend and I are close but we have vastly different sleeping habits and this meant we didn’t disturb each other with our nocturnal activities.)

The wraparound balcony of the sea-facing suite, furnished with loungers, gave us a glorious 180-degree view, from the V&A Waterfront to our right, all the way across Table Bay to Robben Island in front, and disappeari­ng into the Sea Point distance to the left. Immediatel­y below is Tobago’s restaurant and terrace.

It’s here you can begin your weekend stay with a fabulous Saturday brunch, served from 12.30pm, weather permitting. It includes a massive buffet for starters (the sushi guy is understand­ablypopula­r, as is the oyster station), followed by a choice of plated main courses, and ends back at the buffet for wicked and decadent desserts.

The entry-level price throws in house wines, local beers, and soft drinks, while the upper tier adds cocktails and Prosecco.

Everyone gets to enjoy the music; a DJ played the day we were there, and later in the afternoon, women in clingy catsuits and roller skates led everyone onto the dancefloor in retro-disco style.

Late last year, the hotel retained the services of award-winning AJ Snetler aka The Tattooed Bartender, who says “absolutely everything” excites him about joining the Radisson Blu Hotel Waterfront.

“I met the guys and fell in love with the team and the venue, which is just so beautiful. It really is the best location in Cape Town. It’s a very exciting summer season to look forward to, we have some exciting things planned including the launch of the new menu.”

He’s not wrong. The setting is amazing. It’s difficult to think of many more places which put the guest so close to the water’s edge they can feel the spray of the waves tickling their faces.

Amenities on-site are plentiful, from the rim-flow swimming poo to the Amani Spa where we wrapped up our stay with relaxing foot massages and herbal tea. The V&A Waterfront is almost on the doorstep, an easy walk from the hotel. When returning with bags of shopping, perhaps it’s a better idea to hop on the free shuttle.

If you are staying in one of the suites, you can shop at the Oranjezich­t City Farm market and bring back some delicious goodies.

Another option would be to sample the host of yummy artisanal treats and meals right there and then; vegans and vegetarian­s, raw foodies, and customers who want wheat, gluten, sugar and dairy-free alternativ­es, are all catered for.

The market is open every

Saturday and Sunday from 9am till 2pm and 3pm, respective­ly, and entrance is free.

 ??  ?? THE V&A Waterfront is a short walk away, and there is also a complement­ary guest shuttle.
THE V&A Waterfront is a short walk away, and there is also a complement­ary guest shuttle.
 ??  ?? IT’S NO real hardship to fit in a relaxing treatment at Amani Spa.
IT’S NO real hardship to fit in a relaxing treatment at Amani Spa.
 ??  ?? SEA-FACING rooms offer this exquisite view of Table Bay and the V&A Waterfront.
SEA-FACING rooms offer this exquisite view of Table Bay and the V&A Waterfront.

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from South Africa