News
Trends
Celebrities
Interviews
Jet Set Pet
Suite Dreams
Top 5
Weekend Away
Specials
Family Vacation Packages
Romantic & Honeymoon Packages
Spa & Wellness Packages
Destination Weddings
Girls Getaways
Spring Specials
Summer Specials
Winter Specials
Destinations
Articles
Hotels
Hot Hotel Openings
Beach & Island Resorts
5-Star City Hotels
Adventure & Eco Lodges
Boutique City Hotels
Country House Hotels
Family Resorts
Romantic Retreats
Guest Ranches
Safari Camps & Lodges
Golf Resorts & Lodges
Spa Resorts & Wellness Retreats
Ski Resorts & Lodges
Wine Country Getaways
Villas
Beach Villas
Country Villas
Golf Villas
Ski Villas
Villas
Residences
Trips/Cruises
Cruises & Yachting
Rail Journeys
Ultimate Adventures
Private Jet Travel
Safaris
Family Travel
Travel Tips
Business Travel
Airline News
Arts/Culture
Events
Food/Wine
Restaurants
Bars & Nightclubs
Afternoon Tea
Coffee
Culinary Travel
Wine Travel
Spa/Sport
Spa & Wellness Retreats
Yoga & Hiking
Golf Getaways
Ski Vacations
Shop/Style
Gift Guide
Beach and Resortwear
Beauty and Fragrance
Books
Fashion
Home Style
Luggage and Handbags
Luxury Autos
Men's Style
Travel Essentials
Watches & Jewelry
Wine and Spirits
World's Most Expensive
Home Page
News
Taj Hotel Cape Town Opens in South Africa
October 30, 2009
Set in an area steeped in history and alive with art, culture, cuisine and entertainment, Taj Cape Town is adjacent to Mandela Rhodes Place and St George's Cathedral in the middle of a historic precinct. Here, St. George's Mall, the Company Gardens, the Slave Lodge and the Houses of Parliament are just steps away, as are the Groote Kerk, Grand Parade and the City Hall.
"Like all great city center hotels, you have museums, art galleries, top restaurants, live music venues, open-air markets and crafts all right on the doorstep," says general manager Michael Pownall. "Taj Cape Town is very much part of this city center experience for Capetonians and international guests alike."
"We've spent two years and more than R500 million (approximately US$65 million) restoring the original South African Reserve Bank and Temple Chambers/Board of Executioners buildings for Capetonians and visitors to enjoy. This is a five-star luxury hotel, but we've been sensitive to the local market when setting our pricing. We want people who come in for tea or a meal to feel that they've had a great experience and great value for money. We also want our overseas guests to get out of the hotel and enjoy the city, so we tell them about all there is to see and do and encourage them to take sightseeing tours."
With its two entrances, the porte-cochere on Wale Street and the South African Reserve Bank entrance off St George's Mall, the hotel is certainly welcoming. Both entrances lead into a magnificent lobby, which was once the main banking hall.
The lobby is dominated by a barrel-vaulted skylight supported by four meticulously restored fluted marble columns. The chandeliers are also originals as are the heavy grills and doors at the pedestrian entrance, still bearing the South African Reserve Bank's lion heraldry. Even the clock in the banking hall, which first kept the banking hours in 1932 has been polished and repaired. Just off the lobby are a formal lounge, cocktail bar and cigar bar.
A beautifully crafted wooden staircase leads from the lobby to the first floor of what was the Temple Chambers and later the Board of Executioners Building, dating back to 1896. This floor houses the meeting and banquet rooms, where the wooden paneling, fireplaces, and large sash windows are all original.
The furnishings in the 177 guest rooms combine old-world quality with modern amenities, such as high-speed internet and a wireless multi-media hub that allows laptops to interface with the television. All interiors are by renowned Singapore designers James Park and Associates, whose previous commissions include another of the Taj's historic city center hotels, The Pierre in New York. Large marble bathrooms are standard and most rooms look out over the city or mountain. The Tower rooms in the new section of the building all have walk-out balconies and the two-bedroom Presidential suite on the 17th floor provides a panoramic view of the city and Table Mountain.
Taj Cape Town's delectable restaurant repertoire includes:
-The Bombay Brasserie, a fine-dining Indian restaurant offering authentic Indian flavors in contemporary dishes and modeled on its famous namesake in London, which is considered one of the top Indian restaurants in the UK.
-Looking out over St. George's Mall, Mint is an all-day informal restaurant offering a classic menu featuring meat, seafood and poultry grills, with a contemporary interior, dramatic show kitchen, a mezzanine level for private functions and open-air tables under the trees in the Mall
-The quaintly named Twankey takes it moniker from the statue overlooking the corner of Adderley and Wale Streets; originally intended as a symbol of the benevolence of the Board of Executors, Capetonians cheekily christened the large draped female the Widow Twankey after the pantomime character. Today the relaxed seafood and champagne bar below her celebrates this historic irreverence and is an ideal place to meet friends and enjoy a fresh seafood snack and a glass of excellent South African wine while local bands provide evening entertainment
Exclusive to the Taj group, the Jiva Grande Spa draws on ancient Indian healing wisdom of Ayurveda. Everything that touches the body is completely natural, from organic cotton, sun-bleached fabrics and oven-baked pottery, bamboo fiber, soy cotton and a range of other ingredients making up 200 customized products. The spa is equipped with single- and double-treatment suites, beauty treatment rooms, and vitality pools. Downstairs from the spa is a fully equipped, modern Technogym, complete with a heated indoor pool, two saunas and men's and women's changing areas.
The Taj Cape Town combines the comfort and convenience of a modern luxury hotel, with the splendor and character of yesteryear. It's a mix of historic and contemporary Cape Town, reflecting the city around it.
Like Us
Facebook
Follow Us
Twitter
Follow us
Instagram
Sign-up for Our Email Newsletter
FIND A LUXURY HOTEL & BOOK WITH EXCLUSIVE PERKS!
Andorra
Anguilla
Antigua & Barbuda
Argentina
Australia
Austria
Azerbaijan
Bahamas
Bahrain
Barbados
Belgium
Belize
Bermuda
Bhutan
Botswana
Brazil
British Virgin Islands
Brunei Darussalam
Cambodia
Canada
Cayman Islands
Chile
China
Colombia
Cook Islands
Costa Rica
Croatia
Curacao
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Dominica
Dominican Republic
Ecuador
Egypt
England
Estonia
Ethiopia
Fiji Islands
Finland
France
French Polynesia
Galapagos
Germany
Greece
Grenada
Guadeloupe
Guatemala
Honduras
Hungary
Iceland
India
Indonesia
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Jamaica
Japan
Jordan
Kenya
Kuwait
Laos
Latvia
Lebanon
Luxembourg
Madagascar
Malawi
Malaysia
Maldives
Malta
Martinique
Mauritius
Mexico
Monaco
Mongolia
Montenegro
Morocco
Mozambique
Myanmar
Namibia
Nepal
Netherlands
Netherlands Antilles
New Caledonia
New Zealand
Nicaragua
Norway
Oman
Panama
Papua New Guinea
Peru
Philippines
Poland
Portugal
Puerto Rico
Qatar
Russia
Scotland
Seychelles
Singapore
Slovakia
South Africa
Spain
Sri Lanka
St Vincent & the Grenadines
St. Barthelemy
St. Kitts & Nevis
St. Lucia
St. Martin
Sweden
Switzerland
Taiwan
Tanzania
Thailand
Turkey
Turks & Caicos
U.S. Virgin Islands
Uganda
Ukraine
United Arab Emirates
United Kingdom
United States
Uruguay
Vanuatu
Vietnam
Wales
Zambia
Zimbabwe
Beach
City
Coastal
Countryside
Desert
Golf Course
Island
Jungle
Lakeside
Mountains
Remote
Waterfront
Wilderness
Adventure/Eco/Nature
Culture
Business Meeting
Casino/Gambling
Food & Wine
Family Vacation
Golf Getaway
Pet Friendly
Romantic Getaway
Safari
Scuba Diving
Shopping & Fashion
Ski Vacation
Spa & Wellness
Villas
Wedding
Wineries / Wine Tasting
Luxury Partners
Villa Lala — Romantic Boutique Hotel in Puerto Vallarta
Cabo Platinum - Cabo San Lucas Luxury Villas, Yachts & Concierge Services
Villa Firenze - Costa Rica Luxury Villa Rental
JUP - Personal Service for Buying and Selling Real Estate in Jupiter, Florida
Polaris Slingshot - A three-wheeled sensation that re-ignites your love for driving
Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa - Rancho Santa Fe, California - One of the West’s most sought-after five star resorts
Tuscan Dream - Immerse Yourself in the Tuscan Villa Vacation Experience
Grand Hotel Portovenere - Cinque Terre - Discover this beautiful region of Italy!
Dude Ranchers Association - An all-inclusive vacation experience like no other
El Encanto, A Belmond Hotel - Santa Barbara, California - Experience timeless Californian glamor.
Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa - Poipu, Kauai, Hawaii - Beachfront Resort
Culture, Spirituality, and Wellness in Japan's Tochigi Prefecture
Blue Waters Resort & Spa - Antigua - A hidden gem nestled in a private bay on Antigua's northwestern coast with sunset views
A.M.A Selections - Luxury Villa Rentals throughout Europe
Live Aqua Beach Resort Cancun, Mexico - Adults Only, All Inclusive
Argentario Golf & Wellness Resort - Porto Ercole, Tuscany, Italy
Porto Zante Villas & Spa - Zakynthos, Greece - The leading villa resort in Europe