The Cape Milner - Experience

In any city when you are looking for accommodation, there are competing needs, if it's near the centre, it might not be luxury, if it has excellent views, it might not be affordable, if it has a touch of luxury, it is far removed from the heart of the city. When you visit the city of Cape Town, being one of the most beautiful cities in the world and one of South Africa's best destinations, and you want affordable luxury with views in the heart of the city, a surprise awaits. A key challenge of city hotels in the hustle and bustle that is accompanied by the vibrant city noise of the city here enters the Cape Milner Hotel, wherewith spectacular views of Table Mountain and Lions Head, and you could be forgiven for forgetting you are in the heart of the city. If you like accessibility and reach and want to maintain exclusivity and privacy, if you require comfort and luxury, including a restaurant with an exquisite lounge on-site featuring mountain views, consider the Cape Milner Hotel.

Cape Town is a vibrant city with rich culture, heritage, jaw-dropping landmarks, with the best of both worlds where the Mountains meet the Ocean. At times, you drive past a place without acknowledging it. I have driven so many times on Upper Buitenkant street but never took the time to see the area until it was time to discover a hidden gem. The mind has a way of conceptualising the place you are going to, especially if it's in the centre of the city. When we arrived on the corner of Milner and Upper Buitenkant street, we had travelled through four provinces and numerous hotels. Hence, parking in the city centre was a concern. When you arrive at The Cape Milner, the parking doors are closed, yet when you say I am checking in, there is always a welcoming voice that admits you into the place. The hotel is a real urban chic gem with a non-intimidating and welcoming lobby, and this is where the building plays a trick. Once inside, it is so relaxing and serene you forget that you are in the City Centre.

We go through the checking-in formalities, but I am not listening because I want to see our accommodation. When we get there, I am pleasantly surprised our room is beautiful, big, and modern. The bed is extra-large and screams comfort just by looking at it. By looking at the bed, you can tell it is one of those beds; when lying on them, they hug you, and you fall asleep immediately. An oversized stand-alone rose gold floor lamp accentuates a red chair, bringing contrast to the room. The suite is underlined by a lot of beautiful touches, including rose gold side lamps. The room has both a bathtub and a shower, but the bathtub steals the show. It is decadent and well-appointed, almost look like the room was built around it, with a black tap which is unusual and beautiful. All the suite coordinates are clearly in concert, only separated by a pleasing glass wall, making it a unique space.

For the next few nights, let's explore the hotel and its surroundings. The Glass Lounge must be my favourite spot in The Cape Milner hotel. The lounge has beautiful lighting that drapes from the ceiling creating a luxury ambiance. You can also indulge your hydration needs at the bar. The blue colour scheme brightens the room. The natural light that comes through the windows and the glass roof makes for an ultra-grand experience. My favourite feature of the Glass Lounge is its back window that gives you access to Table Mountain and Lions Head views. The service overall was great, and the staff was attentive and friendly. Thandi was the lady who looked after us with a smile behind the mask, and she was everything, bar lady, waiter.

To the fore of the lounge is the courtyard and deck, where surprisingly, you have views of both Table Mountain and Lions Head. The deck has a sparkling pool with views; it is the best place to sit with a book and have something to drink or have a meal. The food was delicious. Sometimes I try to be good and eat healthy wholesome food when I travel, on this day, for instance, I had fish with butternut and spinach, all was going well until I realized that they have malva pudding on the menu, I just had to have some, and yes it was the best choice of the day. You can never! I mean, never go wrong with malva pudding. For breakfast, you get an option of Continental or English breakfast or both "whatever floats your boat," I love the saying "whatever makes your soul happy, do that."

I love commuting, but sometimes all I want is to walk everywhere. When you are in The Cape Milner Hotel, you are a few city blocks from Long Street, that has a great night life. The Cape Milner is a stone throw away from Bo Kaap. Bo Kaap has picturesque, vibrant houses that make for a good photo opportunity. It is one of the most Instagramable streets in Cape Town. I find the Cape Milner hotel to be a central place around most of the activities in Cape Town, and it is a few minutes away from the beautiful Camps Bay Beach.

The Cape Milner Hotel is in the city Centre; you are near Table Mountain, where you can go up the cable car and have 360 views of the City of Cape Town. V&A Waterfront is only a few minutes away from the hotel, where you can indulge in some shopping therapy, great restaurants, or a boat cruise. We are all talking about transforming our cities into 15 minutes, cities where you are always 15 minutes away from everything. How about you start by visiting a hotel which is 15 minutes away from most Cape Town tourist attraction places.

For more details or bookings visit The Cape Milner Website