12 Hotels |
Cape Town is truly trending right now, recognised internationally as one of the best holiday destinations there’s no doubt it’s the Mother of all cities. And if you’re serious about doing more this summer, Cape Town is the place to be. With 12 Protea Hotels, 12 Holidays in one top city, we’ve got you covered.
From 1700 rooms and 496 self-catering apartments to 418 sleeper couches (just in case you hit and miss the bed) you’re spoilt for selection, be it a leisurely resort apartment overlooking a sparkling ocean, a luxurious Penthouse or Loft set at the foot of one of the 7 wonders of the world or a "comfortable and convenient" on-the go, we’ve got over 9000 "cushy" pillows of equal comfort, freshness and voema for the ultimate pillow fight. Fewer things can be compared to the anticipation of a buffet breakfast and ours is the real deal - serving 2760 eggs daily along with 545 kilos of fruit, 3174 cups of La Vazza coffee, and 3820 waffles (per month) rest assured you’re in for a treat. So, before you reserve one of 194 loungers at some of our coolest pools and proceed to choose from 135 types of cocktails that’ll have you doing loads more this summer, check out 12 top holidays to choose from:
A City Slicker’s Paradise There’s nothing like experiencing the pulse of a city so get stuck in and explore the concrete jungle. However, if walking and buses is not your scene; hire a bicycle and use the dedicated cycling lanes. Make your way from the Atlantic Seaboard to the CBD, a mere 15 minute ride with breath-taking views and city sites to accompany you all the way.
For the Ultimate Shopaholic There are two types of shopping to be done on holiday; souvenirs to take home and spoil yourself rotten. We have good news for you – Cape Town has it all. No matter where in Cape Town you stay, be it at Protea Hotel Tygervalley or Protea Hotel Breakwater Lodge, there is a shopping experience on your doorstep. For souvenirs, the place to be is Green Market Square; where local artists show off their crafts to the world that visits. From sculptures, masks and wood work to t-shirts and beads. All this is just a short walk from Protea Hotel North Wharf near the CBD. For designer boutiques and one-of-a-kind merchandise, Long Street shops and the Cape Quarter Lifestyle Centre are your friends. African Pride Crystal Towers Hotel & Spa has a bridge that links to the biggest shopping center in the southern hemisphere. Canal Walk offers everything from international and local stores to restaurants and cinemas. Then the Trump card, if you are not sold already, is the V&A Waterfront – Cape Town’s iconic shopping mall which is visited by over 23 million people every year. With high end shops, convenience stores and arts & crafts – you get the best all worlds under one roof.
Venture through the Vineyards Being a top producer of wines which are exported worldwide, Cape Town is surrounded by vineyards that are open to the public. Make a day of it and visit one of the four wine areas; Durbanville, Stellenbosch, Constantia or Franschhoek. Explore the Winelands with a difference; put on your leathers, hop on a Harley Davidson and get chauffeured through the vineyards of Stellenbosch. Alternatively, a relaxed cycle on a mountain bike puts you at one with nature and hop from farm to farm. Finally, they say that the early bird catches the worm and a 5am start in Paarl is worth it for the 1 hour scenic flight wherever the wind takes you.
Bikinis, board shorts and sparkling sands What’s a coastal holiday without a visit to the beach? With silky white sand, crashing waves and the summer heat – Cape Town is bliss. Offering beaches on the Atlantic and Indian Ocean, you are spoilt for choice. The Atlantic Seaboard is home to the famous Camps Bay and Clifton beaches. They are just minutes away from Protea Hotel President, so pack a bag and relax at the foot of Table Mountain and Lions Head. If you are seeking warmer waters, take a drive to Muizenberg on the Indian Ocean, where surfers and families congregate for a day on the sand. Whilst you are that side, make a turn past Boulders Beach with the kids, where you will see hundreds of Penguins on this protected reserve. However, if you want to feel like a celeb on a private beach, take advantage of some of the smaller beaches along the coast such as Queens Beach in Sea Point, Glen Beach between Clifton and Camps Bay, Beta in Bakoven and Llandudno. All of them are centrally located and only 15 minutes from the CBD.
Jaw-dropping, adrenaline pumping adventure junkies You’ve left the airport and are driving to the hotel. You look out the window at what’s to be your home for the next few days. All you see are mountains, ocean and blue skies - a landscape that screams adventure. Set up base camp and gear up. Why not start off with a hike up Lions Head, maybe even paraglide on your way down. If you are staying at Protea Hotel Fire & Ice! Cape Town, you can map your route from your bedroom window. Your sea view from the Protea Hotel Sea Point will have your surfing feet itching, so suit up and surf away. Another phenomenal sea adventure is shark cage diving and the Cape Town seas never disappoint on a performance. For the icing on the cake, take to the sky on a helicopter flip and observe the beauty of Cape Town like never before. So whatever the adventure, Protea Hotels provide the base camp and Cape Town provides the rest.
Discover the City’s vibrant Culture & History Cape Town is incredibly rich in history and boasts numerous historical attractions that will enhance the cultural aspects of your holiday. Be inspired by the spirit ingenuity and dynamism of the locals as you journey through the multicultural townships of the city. By contrast the colourful houses of the famous Malay Quarter/Bo-Kaap are a must-do. Located literally half way between Protea Hotel Victoria Junction, Protea Hotel Cape Castle and Protea Hotel Fire & Ice! we recommend you travel to this attraction by foot and then walk the streets with a local who can even take you to a resident’s home for lunch. Next stop is Rhodes Memorial followed by Groot Constantia. Situated on the slopes of Devils Peak, Rhodes Memorial was built in 1912 by Sir Herbert Baker in memory of Cecil John Rhodes and offers fantastic views over the Southern Suburbs perfect for an afternoon tea in their tea garden. Groot Constantia, is one of the oldest wine estates in South Africa, it hosts a wine museum as we as well as wine tasting in additional to being an extraordinary example of Cape Dutch Architecture. Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for many years in the now famous cell number 46664 – has come to symbolize the triumph of the human spirit over enormous hardship and adversity. Enjoy a guided, highly educational and fascinating tour of the prison and surrounds
Be the Family other Families Envy The Mother in this City will keep your kids spoilt for choice with loads of things to do. Located across the road from Protea Hotel Victoria Junction at the Cape Quarter is the Art Jamming Studio, offering a selection of Canvas sizes and every colour paint you could imagine. Let your children Art Jam to their hearts desire, join in if you like and then treat them all too refreshingly fruity frozen yoghurt at the Yogiberry bar on the ground floor. For an outdoor experience there are unlimited options ranging from the Topless My City Bus which includes (a pick up right on your doorstep at Protea Hotel President) a full day tour through the city allowing to you select the stop-offs of your choice, Dune & Beach Horse Rides, to Putt-Putt located a short walk from Protea Hotel Sea Point and Protea Hotel Victoria Junction, famously fun Ratanga Junction situated on alongside African Pride Crystal Towers Hotel & Spa in Century City, take cable car up Table Mountain, a skaters paradise at Cape Town’s Skate Park. For more in-door kiddies experiences we recommend the Cape Town Planetarium located a stone throw away from African Pride 15 on Orange Hotel, the Aquarium at the V&A Waterfront a 5 minute walk from Protea Hotel Breakwater Lodge, indoor climbing at CityROCK and Ten Pin Bowling.
For the Foodies Once you’ve treated yourself to the perfect La Vazza cappuccino at any Protea Hotel or African Pride Hotel in Cape Town, your next best coffee can be found at Delux Coffee Works in Church Street (off Long Street), Been There on the corner of Whale & Bree and our number one choice famous Italian deli where the real who’s who’s get their fix, Giovannis. For fresh, organic and delicious try 1 or all of 4 food markets: The Hout Bay Market, The Neighbour Good’s Market (aka The Biscuit Mill) the Stellenbosch Market and the City Bowl Market on Hope showcase everything from crepes, cupcakes and croissants, oysters, champagne and sushi, curries, jams and homemade chocolate to freshly squeezed juices, smoothies and organic fruits and vegetables. A must have is the best sushi in the city at Willoughbys in the V&A Waterfront, an experience a Star Dust, Pizza and Cocktails for sundowners at the Grand Café on the beach, Burgers at the Bungalow, a Cookie Monster Cup Cake at Charlie’s Bakery for live music and entertainment we recommend Stardust and Pigalle, Katima for gourmet Thai, Food Barn in Noordhoek, breakfast at Liquorice & Lime on Kloof Street and, if you are a chocaholic the Lindt Studio in the Cape Quarter is an absolute must!
Up Close & Personal with Mother Nature Table Mountain is not only one of the 7 Wonders of the World, its home to an inordinate amount of flora and fauna and a walker and runner’s paradise. From Platteklip Gorge to Skeleton Gorge, Porcupine Ravine, The Apostles and Silvermine Nature Reserve of Table Mountain, to the contour paths the lush Newlands and Tokai forests , (Find out secret gems for nature) . The garden includes an indoor greenhouse, exhibiting plants from a number of regions whereas the outdoor landscape moves to plants native to the Cape region including a collection of Protea’s. From the gardens several trails lead off along and up the mountain slopes and these are much used by walkers and mountaineers. On the slopes above the cultivated parts of the garden a contour path leads through forests to Constantia Nek to the south. The same contour path can be followed to the north for many kilometers and it will take the hiker past the Rhodes Memorial to the slopes of Devil's Peak and beyond.
Experience something special with someone special You’ve found your special someone and now you need a romantic trip together. Savouring the beauty of a gorgeous view from Table Mountain is fun, but a sunset view is all the more romantic. The Ariel Cable Car to Table Mountain is open until 8pm during Summer making it the perfect spot to watch the sun fade from the shore as the night life of the city awakens. Be old-fashioned and take a ride through Cape Town by carriage ending in the company gardens. Come and experience a sushi making class at African Pride Crystal Towers Hotel & Spa followed by cocktails on the suspended pool deck and a couple’s massage at the Life Day Spa.
Relax & Rejuvenate There is nothing better for the mind, body and soul than a Spa break. However, it helps to learn the lingo and know everything about the treatments in order to get exactly what your body needs. For a Spa retreat in an urban environment we recommend Life Day Spa and Suntra Spa. Being the only spa in Cape Town that stocks Le Prairie product range, Life Day Spa’s therapists are specially trained in performing treatments using this exclusive product. Comprising of 11 treatment rooms, a Rasul Chamber, a Floatation tank and a Nail Bar this multi award winning Spa is a pure haven for stress relief and pampering. For a more intimate indulgence with a difference, Suntra Spa offers a therapeutic Hydro bath, with colour light therapy for completely relaxation. Their signature treatment, the Bellabachi massage, is an ancient Chinese art using silicone cups and is highly recommended.
Set Sail As you drive along the city’s breath taking coastline, the idea of being in that post-card perfect ocean is tempting especially with choices like kayaking ,kite surfing, the thrill of speed boat or the glamour of a sunset cruise or a charted yacht on Clifton, a 5 mere minute swim from the beach. Moving along the Peninsula to Hout Bay, why not take a trip to Seal Island. As the name gives away, there is a large population of seals that have made this piece of land their home. If you are lucky, you might get a glimpse of a Great White Shark as they are known to feed on the seals regularly. One of the musts is to board the Robben Island boat, which does multiple trips to this historical site every day. As an added bonus, you will also be exposed to a jaw-dropping panoramic view of the Cape Peninsula. |
