JHB West - Dec 22 / Jan 23

Old-school CHARM
Glamorous doesn’t come close to describing The Winchester Hotel ... the iconic hotel
with the most desirable location on Cape Town’s Sea Point Promenade.
Built a century ago as a residential
property, The Winchester Hotel,
managed by Newmark, really is
the grande dame of the Sea Point
Promenade ... a three-storey gabled
building which was converted into a
hotel in the late 1950s.
And despite having a revamp recently,
it still retains its classic attractions ...
it’s all elegant and well-bred and old
money. So it oozes glamour ... but
quietly. There’ll be no crass showing
off here, thank you.
The 1920s Cape Dutch-style hotel
dominates its location, sitting right
on the edge of the Atlantic Seaboard,
overlooking the ocean and the
pedestrian promenade which is the
heart of the city’s social hub.
It’s all old-school charm, from the tiny
parking lot hidden around the corner,
past the pool which could be straight
out of a golden age Hollywood movie,
to the quiet lobby, from where you’re
ushered off to your room. Just six
dozen or so - with lofts and suites and
a couple of family-friendly options,
with no rooms identically decorated,
but all with views over the sea or
that mountain!
Sticking with the less-is-more policy,
the hotel offers just the pool (with a
spa on the cards), a top-notch bar and
an amiable restaurant.
Harvey’s Bar, all midnight black and
light wood, is well-frequented by
locals (always a good sign), and serves
up creative cocktails and fine liqueurs,
as well as a small but well-thoughtout
menu for those who simply can’t
tear themselves away from the view.
A stone’s throw away is Shoreditch,
the hotel’s restaurant which has the
same restraint shown throughout the
venue. It’s quiet, refined, and quite
lovely, with a menu that offers sharing
dishes like marinated olives and fresh
oysters, linefish ceviche and wagyu
sliders, unpretentious steak rolls and
mushroom risotto and Caesar salad.
Breakfast, should the Cape weather
be generous, is served out in the
central courtyard ... black and white
tiles and a cascade of bougainvillaea
along with your muesli and yoghurt ...
marvellous.
As is, really, the whole Winchester
affair. A gorgeous hotel, with
everything you need for a quiet,
luxurious stay ... and with everything
else you may want - nightlife and
clubs and walks and swimming and
shopping and people watching
- literally on your doorstep.
Details: 221 Beach Road, Western Cape.
021-434-2351. newmarkhotels.com
32 Get It Magazine Dec 22 / Jan 23