Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel

The Mount Nelson exudes natural elegance,
even from the road, with its light pink facade, large windows, and columned entryway,
although the real beauty begins inside. The reception area is located in a
long room with wooden desks, cream ceilings, and a crystal chandelier. Just
beyond is the classically-decorated lobby with plush velvet chairs and thick
rugs on dark hardwood floors. The grounds are equally lovely with a mix of
brick pathways and lush lawns dotted with shrubs, palms, and deciduous trees.
At the center stands a round fountain with a column at its center, ringed by
small flowers in various shades of white and pink. The hotel attracts both
leisure travelers with cash to spare and business travelers, and its ballroom
often plays host to grand weddings. 

The Mount Nelson is located in a
central, safe area just off the M62 and across the street from a high school
and library. It's an eight-minute drive to the Table Mountain
Aerial Cableway and a 10-minute drive to the waterfront. Two Oceans
Aquarium, to the northeast, takes 10 minutes to reach by road while getting to the
Heart of Cape Town Museum is a 15-minute drive east. Cape Town International Airport
is a 20-minute drive east.

There are three room types at the Mount Nelson:
Rooms, Suites, and Cottage Suites, each of which can further be broken down
into different categories, but all of which are luxurious. Superior Rooms are slightly
smaller than Deluxe Rooms and some lack beautiful views, but there's not a huge
amount of difference between the two. All rooms include iPod docks, desks, flat-screen
TVs with DVD players, and free Wi-Fi. Suites range from one-bedroom
Junior Suites all the way up to the ultra-luxe Presidential Suite, which comes
with a kitchenette, private dining room, and spacious balcony with Table
Mountain views. All suites come with the same amenities as rooms in addition to separate living areas. Classic Suites and Deluxe Suites also have
balconies. Next to the pool, the Garden Cottage Suites feel like small
vacation homes. All have king-sized four-poster beds.Decor is fairly
consistent in all guest units and includes lightly patterned carpets, rich
cream walls, dark-wood furniture, and upholstered chairs in muted tones of gray
and gold. Gilded mirrors and photo frames add vintage appeal. Bathrooms are made of marble and
have separate baths and walk-in showers along with double sinks
(in most) and big mirrors. Although rooms are kept clean and are generally well-maintained, some past guests have noted a bit of wear and tear, particularly in bathrooms.

The Mount Nelson is home to the swanky Planet
Restaurant & Bar, which has black-and-white checkerboard tiles and
semi-open veranda seating as well as tables out on a grassy lawn. Inside, the decor
mixes classical elements with
modern celestial features like chandeliers that resemble clusters of stars and royal blue carpets with night-sky patterns. The menu is dominated by contemporary continental creations, with grilled meats and a few vegetarian
and vegan options available along with plenty of rich desserts. Unfortunately,
the restaurant is closed on Sundays, although guests still have the option of
eating at the Oasis Bistro, where an enormous, free breakfast buffet is served every morning. The hotel also has a gym
with cardio equipment and weights, along with an outdoor tennis court. Sessions with personal trainers and tennis instructors can be arranged, as can ones with swimming coaches who can help guests perfect their strokes in one of two heated
outdoor pools. The main pool is family-friendly, while a second pool is
reserved for guests over age 16.  Librisa Spa offers a wide range of
treatments, from relaxing massages to facials, and
uses Dermalogica and Africology products. The spa also has a dry sauna, steam
room, and plunge pool as well as its own leafy conservatory with lounge chairs.
There are also numerous on-site activities for young ones, including an
activity center for kids ages three to 12 and another dedicated space for guests ages 12
to 18.  And while the Mount Nelson is not a business hotel in and of
itself, it does offer significant amenities for corporate guests. Seven rooms are available
that can be used for meetings, banquets, and other events.