Hotel Update

Cape Grace has recently unveiled its new look after a six month refashioning project. The new interiors illustrate the fascinating history of the Cape region, such as at the time of the Dutch East India Company, when the Cape played the paramount role of halfway house between the Europe and the East.

It was during this time that the Cape was gifted with a rich heritage of porcelain, paintings, furniture and silver left behind by the trading companies of that era. Now valuable China plates, antiques and interesting artefacts make up the décor and stories of the past are retold in paintings on walls, fabrics and textiles. The colours used in the rooms have been inspired by the botanical kingdom of South Africa hence rich deep earthy colours.

Local talent has been used to create the new look which includes exclusive fabrics and custom made metal, glass and leather items. For example, a local artist and blacksmith Conrad Hicks forged his designs from recycled wrought iron and steel. Additionally, artists from the surrounding townships were employed to create one-off paintings on fabrics.

Cape Grace is located on its own private quay in the thriving V&A Waterfront in Cape Town. 121 guest rooms and suites look out across the iconic Table Mountain, the international yacht marina and/or the Waterfront harbour. The hotel features Bascule Bar the largest whisky emporium in the Southern Hemisphere and a signature restaurant Signal serving locally sourced produce. Guest facilities include the exclusive use of a 56ft fly-bridge yacht for excursions to Clifton and Camps Bay and a pampering African inspired spa to mention a few.

To celebrate the end of the refashioning Elegant Resorts (01244 897516; www.elegantresorts.co.uk) offers 4 nights for the price of 3 from £1,455 per person (a saving price of £255pp) based on two people sharing a Luxury Double Room on a bed + breakfast basis. Price includes flights with British Airways from London Heathrow and private transfers. Valid 1 – 10 December 2008.