Cape Town - The silence was deafening – not a single squeak could be heard.
Maybe that’s why it took me almost three hours to fall asleep. I’m not used to uninterrupted sleep, you see – even while writing this, I’m trying to concentrate while my “lively” nine-month-old wails in the background.
So, there I was in a plush hotel suite, lying in a darkened room, trying to fall asleep because there were no interruptions – by that I mean no children waking me up in the middle of the night because of monster-filled dreams or crying babies shouting out for a feed.
It should have been a welcome break from my crazy-filled life, but it wasn’t; I wanted out. But first, I’ll start at the beginning.
Making a mad dash on the highway (we were already three hours late) I kept mentally going through my head if we’d forgotten anything: did hubby put the overnight bag in th car?; did I remember my PJs and toothbrush?
We were invited by Steenberg Estate to stay the evening in one of their newly-refurbished rooms.
The estate lies at the foothills of the majestic Steenberg mountains in the Constantia Valley, surrounded by lush green vineyards. One might think you were entering a Tuscan vineyard, but no, this is Tokai, just a half-hour’s drive from Cape Town.
We received a warm welcome by hotel staff, inviting us in like we were part of the family. Bags were taken from us and we were whisked off to do a quick site inspection of the newly-refurbished suites.
Hotel manager Catherine Schulze, whom I had the pleasure of meeting, took on the arduous task of doing over the hotel’s suites.
Taking her inspiration from her various travels, while still maintaining the colonial Cape Dutch charm, her goal was to transform Steenberg from a country hotel to a more refined and luxurious experience. And her hard work has certainly paid off in dividends.
From lush fabrics to the drapery, no expense was spared.
“The decor of a place is an intrinsic part of a guest’s stay and Catherine believes in securing every detail from the ideal reading lamp, the clean lines of a free standing bath, to the exquisite and plush cushions,” says the hotel’s press release.
Wherever possible, the hotel sourced locally-made materials, which is commendable, considering they could have sourced luxurious pieces and fabrics from abroad – local is lekker and testament that we can compete with the best of them.
Okay, so if you happen to be the recipient of a massive windfall, I recommend that you book yourself into the Premier Suite.
From about R6 000 a night, this luxuriously-appointed suite is about 81m2. To say it’s a room is an understatement.
The bedroom, with separate lounge, opens up to a modern, spacious bathroom with a larger-than-your-average bathtub and matching his-and-hers vanity corners.
The clever use of colours utilises the natural light, giving the suite an air of tranquillity and lots of space.
Our home for the night was a standard luxury room (about R2 600 per night). A converted loft-style room with cleverly placed pieces give the illusion of a bigger space. Not once did I feel claustrophobic, but I did on occasion bump my head on the ceiling while making a cup of espresso with our complimentary coffee maker.
These rooms have also been remodelled, going for a more understated look while maintaining the overall luxury of the hotel.
The actual hotel is on the edge of an 18-hole golf course, which I am told is one of the best in SA.
“The 18-hole golf course was designed to make full use of natural features and hazards such as the vineyards, pine forest and gentle waterways. Its environmental diversity gives the course its unique character,” says the website.
I know nothing about golf, but I hear the course and hotel is a hit with European tourists, especially the Germans who loyally return year after year.
The estate also houses a spa, which happened to be closed by the time we got there, with five treatment rooms. Tucked away among th vineyards, I’m sure a spa treatment would be a magical experience there.
For those who consider themselves foodies, Steenberg delivers with two restaurants. Bistro 1682, where we had dinner, specialises in tapas and sharing dishes.
Named after the year Steenberg was founded, the restaurant is bistro-style dining in an unpretentious setting, and is adjacent to the estate’s winery.
Catharina’s, where breakfast is served to hotel guests, pays homage to Catharina Ras, who founded Steenberg in the 17th century. The menu offers a full al-la-cart option and centres on simplicity, using the finest local ingredients.
It’s amazing to know that South African hospitality goes beyond just welcoming foreigners. Steenberg embraces you like a warm, snugly blanket, rocks you with a warm lullaby until there’s nothing but you, the birdsong and a warm comforting bed. Now if only I can get to sleep...
If You Go...
Steenberg Hotel and Spa is situated in Tokai. Rooms start from R2 600 per person per night, including breakfast. More information at: www.steenbergfarm.com/hotel
Marchelle Abrahams