Cape Town - Location does not, on its own, cut it. Throw in top service, an inviting atmosphere and lashings of everything luxurious and you have a hit.
Witness the 12 Apostles Hotel and Spa – or 12A – alone above the road from Camps Bay in Cape Town to, oh, lots of other beautiful places. Gorgeous views over the Atlantic and up the mountainside never disappoint, whether from the deck outside the Leopard Bar, from the pool side or the terraces, or the rooms or restaurants.
For a real sense of occasion, a flip aboard a chopper from the V&A Waterfront to 12A’s helipad provided a thrill plus spectacular views of Cape Town, the hotel surrounded by a nature reserve and the peaks towering over the Atlantic from which the hotel gets its name. Since 12A provides complimentary hourly transfers via Camps Bay to and from the V&A, shopping is easily taken care of, as is every little thing, even before you arrive. Booking included the most comprehensive guest preference checklist imaginable, including a “pillow menu” – feather, foam, neck support, back support – duvet (natural or synthetic) and blanket options, yoga mat, accompanying DVDs, plus loads more.
After an introductory tour – the spa, private cinema, two pool areas, restaurants and Leopard Bar – I headed to my opulent suite which opened on to a large grassed terrace overlooking the ocean. I took in the marble, top flight wall fabric coverings, large mirrored bathroom, and plentiful five-star amenities before high tea at the bar. There, the lunch-sized R175 full spread is beautifully presented and plentiful, with surely something for all tastebuds. Unfortunately, my eyes had to do most of the eating as I had a dinner date in the Azure Restaurant in a couple of hours.
Which brings me to my complaint: what were they thinking – putting a scale in the bathroom? I considered a strongly-worded e-mail and have been on diet since. It’s not just the sumptuous meals, but the large jars of colourful sweets at the 24-hour Café Grill in the restful Conservatory, and the cinema, where there’s also popcorn and other treats.
Dinner began with a gander at the extensive wine list and, at the sommelier’s suggestion, chose an excellent Bouchard Finlayson sauvignon blanc for me and a white blend for my dinner guest Mike. We both decided on the Ceviche starter, the best either of us had tasted and a great way to liven up the taste buds. Mains were pork belly and hanger steak and we shared a beautifully presented crème brûlée with a sublime trio of ice creams: vanilla, honeycomb and tiramisu. The tiramisu ice cream captured the essence of that dessert so perfectly. These were accompanied by espresso and a fine Grappa. Pricing ranges from what you’d expect to pay for a great night out to what only deep pockets can comfortably manage.
Buoyed by the meal and the lovely evening, we retired to my suite to get some work done (promise) using the codeless wi-fi over a snifter of brandy before Mike had to depart and I rolled into bed.
My preferences provided for, I slept wonderfully well. Thank goodness the sun sets, not rises, over the ocean in the Cape. I ambled refreshed, though not that hungry, to breakfast. Fresh beetroot juice, superb fruit, muesli and cereals seemed only to spark my appetite, however. I passed on the fresh oysters but managed excellent eggs Benedict and some bubbly. How decadent. How delightful.
Call 021 437 9255 or visit www.12apostleshotel.com and check out their wonderfully indulgent winter specials.
Adrian Rorvik, Sunday Tribune