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7 Reasons You'll Never Want to Leave This Secluded Cape Town Boutique Hotel

This article is more than 8 years old.

The journey to the Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa from central Cape Town only takes about 20 minutes by car, but it’s worlds away from the hustle bustle of the V&A Waterfront. Cruising down the scenic M-6 for miles with just the Atlantic on one side and mountains on the other, there’s a moment of joy when all of a sudden the brilliant all-white façade of the hotel majestically appears, nestled at the foot of the Twelve Apostles mountain range. The distinctive hotel, considered an iconic landmark in Cape Town, is even used by sailors as a nautical navigation point.

Though the five-star boutique hotel is consistently ranked as one of the best hotels in the world with a fine dining restaurant and award-winning spa, it doesn't quite feel like a hotel. At times it's more like staying at the fabulous beach home of a fun, eccentric, wealthy aunt who loves to spoil you with lots of little thoughtful surprises throughout your stay. Of course, there are all the five-star amenities you’d expect from a hotel of its caliber, plus some extra luxuries (helicopter transfers to and from the airport, free-flowing sparkling wine and oysters at breakfast), but it’s the quirky personal touches that really set Twelve Apostles apart:

1. The rooms are kitted out with canvas beach bags, beach towels, umbrellas and two sets of robes.

2. There’s a pillow menu featuring different scented pillows as well as a soap menu for guests with specific preferences.

3. The bathroom toiletries include bath salts, body scrubs and disposable loofahs.

4. No need to fear rainy days as there’s daily screenings of contemporary and classic films in the 16-seater in-house cinema accompanied by complimentary popcorn and milkshakes.

5. And for guests who prefer movie night in bed, there’s an extensive library of DVDs, plus room service will deliver the popcorn and treats to you.

6. Guests can order picnic lunches to take hiking up the mountain and even arrange to have the picnic set up somewhere along the trail.

7. Perhaps the most unique offering is the “sports buddy” program in which guests can request a member of staff to accompany them on a run, to go cycling or even for a game of golf or tennis.

The warm, personal feel of the hotel stems from the fact that Twelve Apostles is the flagship hotel of The Red Carnation Hotel Collection, the collection of family-run boutique hotels founded by Beatrice Tollman and her husband Stanley. Bea’s hospitable influence is felt throughout the hotel – the bathrooms are lined with Bea’s B|Africa toiletries, a eco-friendly product line that blends native African plant extracts, her new cookbook “A Life in Food” is displayed in the gift shop and her family recipes for chicken pot pie and her triple-baked cheesecake are featured on the menu at Azure. And when you do have to leave (it's inevitable, sadly), the best way to end your trip is by tucking into a piece of Bea's tripled-baked cheesecake while watching a glorious sunset over the Atlantic from the Azure restaurant.

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