Cape Town: The Twelve Apostles Hotel & Spa: Day 1

I don’t know about you, but 2 long weekends in a row has me wondering why that can’t be the norm every weekend!? I’m starting to campaign for a 4 day working week – who’s in?!  ;)

To keep me in the holiday mood, I’m continuing my Cape Town trip posts today, with my amazing experience at The Twelve Apostles Hotel & Spa. This magnificent hotel just outside Camps Bay, can only be described as an amazing escape from your normal day-to-day (unless of course you’re a celeb and then this is the norm!)

But everything from the grand entrance and welcoming staff, to being escorted to your room and having your luggage delivered shortly after, and then the take-your-breath-away views are the perfect start to a relaxing stay – I only wished we had stayed longer!

The hotel is part of the Red Carnation Hotel Collection which includes 17 boutique luxury hotels in Africa, Europe and America and it offers 70 guest rooms, an holistic spa, a private cinema and truly breathtaking views out across the Atlantic Ocean. Add to this a backdrop of the Table Mountain National Park and the Twelve Apostles mountain range and you’ve pretty much landed right in the middle of heaven-on-earth.

Rooms & suites face either the ocean or the mountains – we were so happy to be put in a luxurious one bedroom sea-facing suite with en suite bathroom and separate lounge area and a private balcony overlooking the Atlantic – the side where the sun sets each afternoon in Cape Town. We had been at a wedding the night before, so the king-sized bed was perfect for an early afternoon nap and you could see the ocean over your toes while dozing off – heaven!

We then headed out to the pool deck to watch the sunset and sip on a cocktail – the pool is heated so you can swim all year round, but I chose to head back to our room after seeing the most incredible sunset, to have a long spa bath instead, using the complimentary B|Africa bath salts to unwind before dinner.

We had tasted some of the Azure Restaurant dishes at Taste of Cape Town the week before (read my post here), so I knew dinner was going to be a treat and it didn’t disappoint. We sat inside, as it was super nippy on the terrace and had a lovely cozy table for 2 in the corner of the restaurant. The Azure Restaurant is fine dining, so attire is smart – getting dressed up for dinner is great though and I feel it makes the experience that much more special.

Chef Christo Pretorius focuses on the freshest seasonal ingredients and the menu offers a la carte as well as tasting menu options, which change with the season. I knew I wanted dessert so planned my meal around that!
I had 2 starters – a line fish, salmon trout & prawn ceviche and the chalmar beef – a barbecue beef tartar, pickled egg yolk & horseradish – and both were delicious. My partner had the lamb rack, which was slow roasted and served with sweetbreads, ‘slaphakskeentjies’ (pickled onions), charred aubergine capponata & ricotta fynbos thyme jus – it was delicious, but quite a small portion. We were served a delicious amuse bouche and palate cleansers in between courses, so the whole evening was a real experience – the perfect setting for a romantic night out.

After dinner, we headed up to The Leopard Bar for hot chocolate – this is where you can also enjoy ‘Tea by the Sea’ – afternoon tea with all the trimmings including chocolate brownies, cream scones, finger sandwiches and a selection of the best teas & coffee – I’m definitely going to have go back for this!

And that ended Day 1 at The Twelve Apostles Hotel & Spa – look out for my post later next week on Day 2, where we got to experience the amazing holistic spa!

Disclaimer:
Accommodation was generously provided by The Twelve Apostles Hotel, but all meals and drinks were paid for ourselves. Opinions are my own and no remuneration was received to write this post.

You can read more of my Cape Town trip posts here:
Taste of Cape Town
The Hop On – Hop Off City Sightseeing Cape Town Tours & Beau Constantia

If you would like to experience The Twelve Apostles Hotel & Spa yourself, why not take advantage of the winter specials currently running:

Detox & Delight (from R1630 per person sharing per night) includes a detoxifying 60-minute traditional Rasul experience to revitalise both body and mind, a mouth-watering spa lunch including snacks from the Health Bar and a room for a blissful night in. A full English breakfast the next morning completes this relaxing break from everyday life.

Spa Winter Glow (from R1630 per person sharing per night) allows for a tailor-made wellness experience. Following a hearty ‘soup of the day’ lunch in The Café Grill, including freshly baked bread and a glass of wine, guests may choose 1 of 3 indulgent 60-minute treatments – either a manicure & pedicure, or a B| Harmonised body treatment, or an Elemis facial. Plus accommodation & full English breakfast the following morning.

Dinner and a Movie (R435 per person) makes for the perfect winter date night. Movie-goers are treated to Azure Restaurant’s three-course Choice Select Menu before making their way to the hotel’s very own 16-seater cinema, to catch an old classic or the latest Hollywood release. The luxurious film experience comes with plenty of treats, including popcorn, sweets, ice cream and a rich hot chocolate or milkshake of the day.
Add on an overnight stay with the Overnight Dinner & a Movie package and check into one of plush guest rooms or suites, followed by a lavish breakfast the next morning (from R1455 per person sharing per night, including dinner, movie and snacks). 

The Hibernate to Rejuvenate package (from R1505 per person sharing per night; minimum stay two nights) includes accommodation, full English breakfast, a 40-minute Head and Shoulder Massage per person & a 1 hour session in The Spa’s hot and cold water plunge pools and salt water floatation pool. Guests are treated to a 3-course dinner from the hotel’s Choice Select Menu in Azure Restaurant and can use the private cinema for daily movies with popcorn, sweets and hot chocolate.

The Twelve Apostles’ Celebration package is perfect for a special occasion (from R1615 per person sharing per night). The offer includes accommodation, full English breakfast, a 3-course dinner from Azure Restaurant’s Choice Select Menu, a 1 hour session in the hot & cold water plunge pools and salt water floatation pool and a choice of 2 of the following treats – romantic rose petal turndown/bottle of sparkling wine/celebration cake/B| Africa spa gift/mini snack platter to enjoy while watching the sunset.

Or why not take advantage of the ‘Stay 4 Nights and only pay for 3’ offer, which includes daily breakfast and complimentary access to the spa facilities (valid until 19 December 2015, offer excludes Suites, rates are seasonal & blockout dates apply)

Contact:
THE TWELVE APOSTLES HOTEL AND SPA
Tel: +27 (0)21 437 9000 or Email: reservations1@12apostles.co.za