In the centre of the city, where the heart of Cape Town’s diverse culture beats loudest, you’ll find the four-star Townhouse Hotel.
We needed an overnight stay somewhere central in the CBD and not too far from The Fugard (a night at the theatre being on the cards). The Townhouse Hotel was the ideal fit, within safe walking distance after the show.
You’d never guess the substantially refurbished hotel dates back more than 40 years, and our room, a ‘junior’ double suite, had nothing junior about it. From the embedded LED lights in the bathroom mirror to the softly glowing lamp above the bed with its ever-changing spectrum of colours, the space was fresh and functional. An enclosed, private balcony was just the cherry on top.
I usually rate a hotel based on the comfort of its beds, and the Townhouse Hotel passed the test. In fact, we nearly missed breakfast we slept in so late the next morning,
Inside the Townhouse is Trees Restaurant, named for the giant milkwoods outside. I loved how the hotel and restaurant have been built around the trees in the name of preservation – I’d say they are at least 200 years old and are the standing remains of an early Cape Town.
Back to the restaurant. Trees has a distinctly South African feel to its menu with standout offerings such as Cape Malay bobotie and venison loin, but you’ll also find the likes of herb-crusted beef fillet, lamb shoulder and a Mediterranean vegetable tian.
The theatre special was our choice at Trees. We watched Cabaret at The Fugard later that evening (read the review here) and wanted to encapsulate the entire dinner/theatre experience. Only two pre-show items are available on this menu, a robust potjie of the day and the crispy skin-friend pan hake with mixed peppers, fennel cous cous, vegetable chips, orange-coriander salsa with lemon butter sauce. They each include a glass of Pecan Stream chenin blanc or Pebble Hill red blend as part of the theatre special.
I found The Townhouse to be the perfect overnight getaway not only for visitors from upcountry and abroad, but also for locals who may be in need of a central place to stay with all the mod cons.
OF NOTE
Where 60 Corporation St, CBD
Contact +27 21 465 7050, hotel@townhouse.co.za, www.townhouse.co.za
