Today marks 120 years since the opening day of the Belmond Mount Nelson hotel in 1899. This iconically-coloured, luxurious home away from home has been known to Capetonians for as far back as we can remember, tinting our memories with the light pink of its walls.

The hotel, which lies in the heart of Cape Town, tells the tale of an era come and gone – one of class, sophistication and unmatched beauty in the hotel.

Neatly set in the shadow of Table Mountain, the doors of the famous pink building officially opened in 1899 just before the South African War started.

Many do not know that the Mount Nelson got its pink colour after it was painted to symbolise peace in 1918, and that the iconic palm driveway was first planted in 1925.

Take a look with us at memories of the historic Mount Nelson in her early years.

Picture: Twitter/Facebook/Belmond Mount Nelson

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