Situated on a private quay between Cape Town’s kid-friendly Victoria & Alfred Waterfront and the tranquil yacht marina with a breathtaking view of Table Mountain, Cape Grace Hotel could not be better located for a stay in town. The hotel feels like a walk-in storybook depicting South Africa and Cape Town’s heritage and cultural diversity: rare Cape Dutch antiques mixed with bespoke hand-painted fabrics, tapestries and ceramics by local artists, fashioning a delightfully unique hotel with contemporary style. The amazing staff and truly wonderful atmosphere, with carefully and thoroughly planned child-friendly details, made us immediately feel at home away from home.
Cape Grace sits in the shadow of Table Mountain beyond, and many rooms have unbroken views. Photo by Cape Grace Hotel
Cape Grace Family-Friendly Review
Accommodations
All of the 120 rooms have either a view of Table Mountain with the yacht marina or the working harbor. Each room is uniquely designed and no two are the same. For children, foldaway beds, pullout sofas and cots are available. There is a tea and espresso machine as well as a complimentary mini-bar filled with the best international and local products for adults and children, allowing for a luxurious break on your private balcony.
Our room, with French doors opening onto the balcony and an age-appropriate welcome gift
Dining
A specially created children’s menu is offered in the fine-dining Signal Restaurant as well as in the library, which is a more relaxed dining space with an outdoor balcony. You may also prefer a cozy night in your room with DVDs and room service. Or you may want to explore the city for dinner … while the staff is taking care of your children.
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Make sure you have enough time for the delicious breakfast buffet, which includes a mimosa bar and a special section just for kids. We enjoyed the outstanding quality and selection to the fullest, and almost missed our check-out time!
Gingerbread painting with lovely host Samantha puts a smile on little faces
Activities
Cape Grace hosts African storytime and gingerbread decorating for children every day at 6p in the library. (Tip for parents: Book a Cape wine tasting experience to enjoy in the bar while your child is entertained in the library next door.) Port and sherry are served after dinner if you’d like to linger. All of these experiences are complimentary.
My husband also had the opportunity to visit the hotel’s wine cave and whiskey bar with the sommelier, an opportunity that he truly enjoyed.
Parents can take advantage of the Cape wine experience in the Bascule Bar
Amenities
The hotel has a heated outdoor pool, a fitness studio and a spa that includes a sauna and a peaceful relaxation room with top-floor views. We had the pleasure of experiencing a massage treatment that felt absolutely heavenly and revitalizing after two 12-hour flights. The spa also has treatments for teens and tweens (12 to 18 years) and little ones (11 and under), with such delightful offerings as a Princess Facial and a Sparkle Manicure.
Having her own child-size toweling robe and slippers made my girl very happy
Just for Kids
You may ask yourself if a 5-star hotel can really be family-friendly. At Cape Grace, the answer is a clear and loud yes. They truly love their young guests and work hard to make the little ones feel like VIKs (Very Important Kids).
The pampering starts with a welcome gift plus coloring and activity books, and continues with DVDs, game consoles, books and board games. At the end of day, there’s a special children’s turndown service. You can also ask for baby and toddler equipment such as car seats, strollers, swimming aids and baby monitors.
A real game changer for our family was the 24-hour on-call doctor service the hotel provided. Having the peace of mind that a highly trained specialist is at hand to take care of your loved ones is priceless!
Getting There
The hotel is easily accessible by car, about 20 minutes’ drive from the Cape Town airport. They provide free parking and chauffeur transfers (advance booking is essential and subject to availability) within a 6-mile radius.
Relevant Links:
Browse all family-friendly destinations and accommodations in Africa on Ciao Bambino
72 hours in Cape Town with kids
Jock Safari Lodge: Creature comforts in South Africa’s Krueger National Park
Tips for planning an age-appropriate African safari
Africa for kids: Best Kenya safari camps for families
Five great safari experiences with kids in Africa
Editor’s Note: Photos by Nicole Schick except where noted.
The original content (article & images) is owned by Nicole Schick. Visit the site here for other interesting stories.
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