A postcard and one of the symbols of South Africa, Table Mountain embraces Cape Town with its grandeur and peculiar shape. At your feet rests the Belmond Mount Nelson a pink hotel that frames spectacular landscapes with the mountain in the background.
The city’s historic landmark, Mount Nelson functions as a hotel since 1899 but its history has been going on since before, when the large house with gardens gained ground throughout the 19th century. It is no surprise that the baptismal name pays homage to both the mountain and Lord Nelson, a naval commander who fought in the Napoleonic wars.
Unmistakable, the pink facade was painted like this for the first time in 1918 to celebrate a breath of peace, when the First War had come to an end. Winston Churchill and Nelson Mandela were some illustrious guests over the decades, and, legend has it, John Lennon He used the gardens as a meditation spot.
With 125 years of history, Belmond Mount Nelson was one of the most surprising addresses I stayed at this year. It was my refuge and destination during the recording of the 8th season of CNN Viagem & Gastronomia in Cape Town, proving welcoming from the first glance.
Africa’s best hotel offers luxury and comfort with personality
The entrance is already impressive, with a portal of stone columns welcoming us next to a road lined with palm trees, planted in 1925 to welcome the Prince of Wales.
The hotel is divided into colonial architecture annexes spread across several hectares of gardens. It carries sophistication in its DNA, but without exaggeration. The personality lies in the balance between the colonial interiors reformulated with the timeless luxury echoed by modern touches.
Add this to the attentive and friendly service, the restaurants that mix South African cuisine with international touches and the first-class amenities and we have in front of us the Best Hotel in Africa title awarded by The World’s 50 Best Hotels in 2024.
To the 198 accommodations They vary in size and category, starting from 25 m² and going up to 100 m². The most special suites are the signature suites, which offer dedicated services such as transfers, butler, and complimentary laundry.
The garden chalets are also quite special, as they occupy historic bungalows with white fences and private gardens. But it doesn’t matter the category: all accommodations are decorated to the right extent, being spacious and accommodating from couples to families with children.
Speaking of the little ones, they have their own club, aimed at children between 4 and 12 years old, who find all the fun and comfort here without leaving us worried.
Exquisite gastronomy at Belmond Mount Nelson
As expected, the Belmond seal It also adds memorable gastronomic experiences to the hotel. Just remember the excellence in Rio, with the Belmond Copacabana Palace, or the experiences in Cusco, Peru, involving hotels and trains.
At Mount Nelson, there are several rooms where good food finds space, as in the The Verandah with dishes that change every two weeks that combine South African techniques and flavors; node Oasis which benefits from the landscapes of the gardens and brings farm food to the table with local inputs; and in Planet Bar trendy and elegant bar with an intimate atmosphere, ideal for sunset drinks and pre-dinner toasts.
But my biggest surprises concern the brand new The Red Room pan-Asian opened last year, and for Chef’s Table experience super intimate and revealing.
In a sumptuous Asian-inspired dining room, The Red Room is run by local chef Liam Tomlin which created menus with dishes to share. Among the bets, there are items such as beef tataki, tuna with sesame crust, kimchi pancake, pork belly, dumplings and Peking duck. The banquet was one of the highlights of the stay.
But the most special moment came with the experience of Table from the Chef in which we literally sat in the “hidden” kitchen of the hotel to watch the team’s meticulous work from a box. The evening is crowned with a tasting menu from the executive chef Luke Lawrence Barry which changes dishes daily according to the freshest ingredients available.
As if that weren’t enough, the hotel is still very popular among afternoon tea a ritual inherited from the British that has stood the test of time here. Served in the lounge every day for guests and visitors, small sandwiches, delicate sweets and exclusive tea blends arrive at the table, as tradition dictates.
From the pool to the wineries
Among the amenities, two heated swimming pools outdoors are part of Mount Nelson, one of large proportions, considered one of the largest heated pools in the country, and another more reserved, isolated among the flowers of the garden.
THE spa which occupies three restored Victorian houses, is a den of relaxation, with eight treatment rooms, including two for couples. Turkish bath, Finnish sauna, ice bath (between 6ºC and 8ºC) and space for tea complete the environment.
Those who want more action have a tennis court but adventurers on duty also have a range of programs available outside the property. It is a unique opportunity to discover other sides of Cape Town, how to do snorkel in the Great African Marine Forest, a giant kelp forest that is home to rich biodiversity off the city’s coast.
It is also possible to take advantage of a surfing lesson on Muizenberg beach, walk alongside guides on the lower trails of Table Mountain and combine helicopter flight and whale watching with experts, including food and wine tasting.
Speaking of which, the South African wineries would not be left out, as the tour in the Constantia region passes through three properties via private roads rarely open to travelers. In addition to the experiences, the Belmond Mount Nelson is definitely a hotel to remember, establishing itself as an icon that has become an illustrious character in the city.
Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel
76 Orange Street, Gardens, Cape Town, 8001 South Africa / More information at website.
The post The best hotel in Africa is at the foot of Table Mountain, in Cape Town appeared first on CNN Brasil V&G.
Source: CNN Brasil
Johanna Foster is an expert opinion writer with over 7 years of experience. She has a reputation for delivering insightful and thought-provoking articles on a variety of subjects. Her work can be found on some of the top online news websites, and she is currently lending her voice to the world stock market.
