Why I love The Cape Grace Hotel

It’s not what you want to hear when you arrive into South Africa after over 20 hours of travel …. “you are being admitted to the hospital for a deep vein thrombosis.” I was in South Africa to lead a group of 50 people on a luxurious African Safari vacation.

While I had to remain in the hospital in South Africa, the Hills of Africa team on the ground took excellent care of the group!

The group was staying at the Cape Grace Hotel in Cape Town and during their trip, they enjoyed a beautiful Cape Peninsula tour where they saw penguins and enjoyed excellent shopping and great food. They then headed off to Spier wine estate in the Cape Winelands with two gorgeous days of wine tasting and then three fabulous nights at Sabi Sabi Bush Lodge. Here, they saw some spectacular animals, including lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants, and much more.

Sadly, the trip went off without me and I ended up spending six fantastic days being spoilt by “my new family” at the Cape Grace Hotel.

Honestly, the staff became my friends; they looked after me, they spoiled me, they taught me new words, they laughed and just like friends do, made me feel part of their family.

I wanted to share spotlights on some of my new friends at the Cape Grace Hotel and illustrate how they cared and how they looked after me.

Sandy, Tanya, and Jacques – the Managers

If there was anything that I needed – in my case – it was a lot of extra nights – they took the time to help me. I had to have a nurse escort me home, and Jacques even offered to be my nurse. They took the time to come to my room, have a cup of tea with me (or green juice, which I now love), and really made me feel at home.

Laeticia and Wonga – my meal servers

I remember just checking into the Cape Grace after being in the hospital for 5 days, and Wonga came to serve me. He had not met me yet, but knew my name and helped me to find the most perfect salad on the menu – Smoked ostrich, balsamic poached pears, arugala, gorgonzola, and toasted pine nuts. Each morning I came down, Laeticia always had on her lovely smile and Wonga would find me the best table with a view and helped me to start my morning off right. Wonga also served me breakfast, lunch, dinner and breakfast all in order – I asked him if he had any sleep. He told me he was on the Vuku, Lala, Vuku shift – meaning work, sleep, work shift. He must have been shattered but he continued to smile and treat me as family. Tips: My favorite breakfast was kippers and poached egg, not on the menu, so I ordered hopefully – so delicious. Lunch: Smoked Ostrich and Arugala Salad. Dinner: the best ever bobotie (which you can see a picture of below!)

Trevor, Lance, and the Chauffeurs

Trevor brought me home to the Cape Grace Hotel after the hospital, and so was my first point of contact with the hotel. He made me feel welcome and helped me to check out of the hospital. I got to know the chauffeurs very well, as they took me back and forth across the city for six days. Did you know that the Chauffeurs have to check out every restaurant, know all the markets, wine bars, museums etc. in Cape Town? they do this clandestinely, and are so very knowledgeable. Tip: The Cape Grace Hotel offers a complimentary BMW chauffeur service to anywhere in a 10km radius of the hotel.

Liezel, Renato, and Hoon – Concierge Staff

The service given to me by the concierge staff was beyond extraordinary. They were so knowledgeable, helpful, and friendly. I had some pretty menial chores to do, such as collect a prescription, and, of course, it was done within minutes with a friendly smile. I heard them chasing lost bags from airlines, making reservations at Test Kitchen – which you can’t get into for 6 months (these folks know how to do it), ordering flowers, you name it.

Thabang Rapotu – Sales Executive

I have known Thabang for many, many years. We have been sending her VIP letters for our clients staying at Cape Grace for years, and she always makes sure they are put in exceptional rooms and offers upgrades when she can. Thabang kindly had breakfast with me on my first morning at the Cape Grace Hotel and set the standard for the way to come. Love you Thabang.

There were so many other amazing people who looked after me so well with every need catered to.

So next time you think about choosing a hotel in Cape Town, think about how you want to be treated. Do you want to feel like family? Do you want your every desire and need catered to in a loving, kind way? Do you want to feel not only cared for, but cared ABOUT?

Cape Grace cared about me, they made me feel like family (I even cried my eyes out saying goodbye to every single member of staff).

Thank you my Cape Grace Family.