Hotel review: Mount Nelson Hotel

By Anna Head

Mention Mount Nelson to anyone who has visited South Africa, even those who haven’t, and you will get an immediate nod of recognition. This hotel is truly one of the most exclusive in the world.

Its history alone warrants a visit. The hotel opened its doors in 1899, despite the uncertainty of the impending Anglo-Boer war. Great statesmen of the time, Kitchner, Buller and Roberts, discussed strategy here and there are wonderful mementoes dotted around the hotel. Following a state visit in 1925 by the Prince of Wales, there is an impressive palm-tree driveway named after him, which serves as a good foretaste of what’s to come.

Today, there are all the modern facilities one would expect, but not at the expense of losing the character of the hotel’s illustrious past. The nine-acres of gardens would be enough to put Monty Don into a state of rapture and it is worth making time to take one of the garden walks.

The hotel has a dramatic location at the foot of Table Mountain, but it is also within walking distance of the heart of the city of Cape Town, the National Art Gallery and the buzzing, cosmopolitan Kloof Street.

Although many of the guests are staying for business there is nothing remotely corporate about this hotel. It just oozes charm, with a wide variety of rooms to choose from in four separate wings, including several suites of varying grandeur.

The two restaurants compliment each other well, with the Cape Colony offering contemporary South African food in elegant surroundings with live music, and the al-fresco Oasis restaurant, which has a more relaxed feel and offers a Mediterranean menu.

A state-of-the-art gym, two large, heated swimming pools, tennis courts and a health spa complete the picture.

Without good staff even the best hotels lose their appeal, but at the Mount Nelson I am happy to say they are hugely helpful and utterly charming. I strongly recommend you ensure your holiday plans include a visit here, even if only for afternoon tea.

Mount Nelson Hotel
Cape Town
South Africa

Reservations
00 27 21 483 1000
www.mountnelson.co.za