At reception you’re greeted with a feeling of warmth, friendliness and good cheer. Another luring factor at the Cape Milner is also the location, if you are visiting Cape Town. If you live in the suburbs and want a romantic getaway in the city, it’s a great idea too. Tamboerskloof is a perfect location to plan an evening out on the town or in the day. Everything is within walking distance.
And if you’re mood for a night in, the Glass Lounge is exactly where you want to be, not just for the ambience, but also for the great food.
After we check in, we stumble into guests from Germany who have just spent the day exploring Table Mountain. They can’t stop gushing, so much so that we catch them trying to locate a special spot to see the mountain while they have sundowners – they are finding it hard to part with the mountain for the day.
I know the feeling, there is something magical about Table Mountain that you can never seem to get enough of. Whenever we get the chance to visit local hotels for the weekend, I am always fascinated to hear what foreigners have to say. They see things so completely differently from us locals. The German couple’s attitude is contagious, when we walk into our room, I get a full view of the mountain and I stop for a while to take her in.
The rooms are spacious and comfortable, done up in restful shades of cream, white and taupe with pops of colour in the form of artwork. They are furnished with a mix of modern furniture and bright pillows, and a little verandah overlooking the gardens and the road.
The bathroom is not traditional, it is blocked off by walls of glass and with a wide shower head that delivers an impressive drenching. A tea tray, coffee machine and the usual necessities are available too.
Outside is a relaxing pool deck area, with stunning views of the mountain. Manicured gardens, fruit trees and others in fragrant bloom create a maze of beauty that line the sidewalks. It truly gives you the feeling of an oasis inside a concrete jungle.
Dinner at the Glass Lounge is thoroughly enjoyable. The blue tones, soft lighting and glass ceiling add to the ambience. They have created a beautiful space for lunch or dinner parties and even special occasions.
The menu is impressive and is targeted at hungry guests who are not quite sure what they want. There are bigger meals, hearty steaks, smaller options like sandwiches and wraps, and even some South African favourites like Beef Isishebo.
Starters include truffle and cheese croquettes (R70 for 4), cheesy nachos with guacamole (R68), and jalapeño and cream cigars (R86).
I ordered the Beef Isishebo (R130) for my meal meal and it was prepared to perfection. The braised beef was slow-cooked in an aromatic mix of spices and tomato, then served with pap and chakalaka. The chakalaka recipe is one the chef should never part with, it had just the right amount of chilli, flavour and sweetness.
Dessert is an elaborate affair as well. Salted caramel tiramisu (R76), a trio of chocolate (R70) or the walnut and carrot cake (R68) are all equally great options. It is all dependent on what you feel like on the eve, you can’t go wrong with any of the desserts.
The drinks menu showcases fine local wines and exotic cocktail concoctions. If you love fresh lemonade as much as I do, then make sure you order the mint lemonade. It is freshly prepared, sweet, bitter and minty – all in one icy drink.
The best part about a hearty diner is retiring to your room a few steps away, with a good movie on.
After a restful night, breakfast is served buffet-style. Another round of good food and a walk up or down the hill is in order to walk off all the food. Depending on the direction you take, you are bound to stumble across Cape Town’s most visited areas, the Bo-Kaap or Table Mountain.
Spend some time taking in the city from a visitors perspective. After all, what’s more fun than being a tourist in your own beautiful city?
Contact: + 27 21 426 1101
Address: 2 Milner Rd, Tamboerskloof, Cape Town
Website: https://capemilner.com
Pictures: Nidha Narrandes
