If you’re looking for a weekend away but don’t want to leave Cape Town, The Cullinan and Southern Sun Waterfront hotels are the perfect escape.
My first stop on my 48 hour staycation in Cape Town CBD was the 5-star Southern Sun Cullinan Hotel, located on the doorstep of the V&A Waterfront.
The lobby, with marble and towering columns, echoes the neoclassical architectural style of the building. The impressive staircase that leads to the Peach Tree restaurant and first floor gallery provides glamour.
The lobby leads to the secluded pool area, surrounded by Grecian style colonnades and palm trees.
The entrance hall of my 10th-floor suite led into a spacious living area featuring a lounge and dining room with a stocked mini bar, Nespresso machine and a selection of exotic teas. Sliding doors from the living area led to the bedroom with a king sized bed, second TV, chaise longue, writing desk and cupboard space.
The spacious living area in the Cullinan's suites features a lounge and dining area.
My luxurious 10th floor suite offered stupendous views of the eastern side of the city, overlooking the Waterfront, with Signal Hill peeking out from behind the city skyline.
The elegant bedroom in the Cullinan Hotel suite.
The on-site spa is a Manganwani spa. Sadly though, the service does not meet the 5-star standards the rest of the hotel offers.
Treatments can also be enjoyed around the pool area and guests can also treatments in their rooms.
I had dinner in the Stella Café & Bar, which offers guests a selection of wines and bubbly, which is known for their tapas and South African specialities including home-made bobotie and succulent Karoo lamb cutlets.
Being the end of June and mid-winter in Cape Town, I opted to sit indoors as it was too chilly for alfresco dining by the poolside, however it would be the perfect place to enjoy a glass of bubbly on warm summer evenings.
The bar has a great atmosphere and is frequented by locals and guests.
The Stella Bar & Cafe is a favourite for guests and locals.
My next stop was The Southern Sun Waterfront, which is next door to The Cullinan.
This 4-star hotel is an easy stroll to the city centre, Waterfront and Long Street, famous for its nightlife.
I arrived at 5pm and received a warm welcome from the reception staff.
My suite was decorated in relaxing shades of grey, and included a lounge area, writing desk and smart TV. Again there was a fully-stocked mini bar with tea and coffee making facilities.
The suites are spacious and elegant at the Southern Sun Waterfront.
Fortunately for me I happened to be staying over on a Wednesday - and every Wednesday from 5pm-7pm is Gin Day.
For R175 per person, guests can enjoy a selection of bottomless gin cocktails served with a platter of sushi while being entertained by live music - the perfect place to stop by after work to miss the CBD traffic jams.
After pre-dinner cocktails my colleague and I headed to the Yizani Restaurant, which serves South African fusion cuisine.
Restaurant manager Siphithemba welcomed us to Yizani. We were so impressed by his passion and knowledge regarding the ingredients and flavours in every dish on the menu and accompanying wines that we both opted for his recommendations.
My colleague chose the salmon and asparagus salad with dill, tomatoes and sesame seeds on a bed of baby spinach leaves and lamb's lettuce (R130), while I opted for cannelloni with spinach and fresh ricotta (R105).
Both were superb and the portions were generous.
Salmon and asparagus salad are one of the culinary delights on offer at Southern Sun Waterfront's Yinzani Restaurant.
After a good night’s rest I headed down to breakfast and was warmly greeted by the friendly staff.
The spacious suites at the Southern Sun Waterfront include a work desk and lounge area.
The extensive breakfast buffet is served in the dining room next to the pool patio and garden.
There is something for everyone on the buffet, which offers a selection of fresh fruits, breads and pastries, cold meats, cheeses and hot meals.
If you’re looking to go away for the weekend but don’t want to spend a fortune on flights, either of these hotels makes for a wonderful #staycation.
The Southern Sun Cullinan (021 415 4000): R1 462 pppn incl breakfast (2 kids under 18 stay free)
Southern Sun Waterfront Cape Town (021 409 4000): R1 208 pppn incl breakfast (2 kids under 18 stay free)