Cape Grace

Cape Grace is a four-story modern building with a brick red facade and off-white and grey accents. Guests enter into a considerably swankier lobby that features molded ceilings with chandeliers and multiple seating areas with a purposefully eclectic mix of furniture, including brown leather ottomans, a yellow-and-white Giorgio-upholstered sofa, and paintings of beach scenes. A reading alcove with comfortable sofas and chairs is at one end of the lobby; here you'll find shelf upon shelf of paperback novels to borrow as well as the day's newspaper. More books can be found in seating areas in the hallways, and there are four glass-encased bookshelves along with the riempiesbank -- a yellowwood and ironwood bench that dates back to the mid-18th century. 

The ceilings have unusual chandeliers that feature a combination of classical crystal teardrops and more modern elements such as cups and saucers, shells, branches, and what appear to be animals and horns. Although there are meeting spaces here, the hotel is more suited to business guests with work engagements off-site, as well as tourists wanting a comfortable marina-side stay. 

Cape Grace is located right on the waterfront in the marina, within walking distance of restaurants, cafes, and shops. It's a seven-minute walk northwest to Two Oceans Aquarium. The Heart of Cape Town Museum is 10 minutes southeast by car, while Table Mountain Aerial Cableway and Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden are each a 15-minute drive away. Cape Town International Airport is about 20 minutes east by car. A bus goes directly to the airport as well and takes about 45 minutes from the hotel. 

Rooms range from Luxury units -- some with views of Table Mountain -- all the way up to enormous Three Bedroom Suites with huge terraces. One and Two Bedroom Suites are also available, as are rooftop penthouses with terrace access. Decor is consistent throughout rooms, which tend to be on the dark side -- especially when the heavy grey drapes are drawn. 

Rooms have off-white walls and a limited amount of art in the form of small framed prints. Beds sit up against mirrored walls, which creates the illusion of spaces being larger, and come with tan bedspreads with red and sage-green patterns and muted red accent pillows. A similar decor scheme can be found in seating areas. In-room amenities include free Wi-Fi, kettles, umbrellas for guest use, capsule coffeemakers, safes, minibars, iPod docks, flat-screen TVs, and air-conditioning. Suites and penthouses also come with X-Box 360s. Bathrooms are luxurious, with marble walls and counter tops, double sinks, and Charlotte Rhys toiletries. All have marble walk-in showers with glass doors and separate soaking tubs. 

The hotel's Signal Restaurant features elegant wood decor, large columns with oaken hues, and high ceilings hung with gorgeous crystal chandeliers. There's also a bar area with round crescent booths and a couple of stools designed to look like wine casks. The daily continental breakfast buffet includes yogurts, cereals, fruits, cured and cooked meats, salmon, South African cheeses, and a special gluten-free and vegan muesli. There's also a cheaper a la carte breakfast menu for kids, although anything on the menu can be ordered in a smaller kids' portion. Lunch and dinner menus feature contemporary takes on European classics and include a few vegetarian and gluten-free options. An afternoon tea is served in the library on a daily basis and whisky tasting is available at the Bascule Bar. 

Cape Grace has a tiny fitness center with a couple of treadmills, cardio machines, and basic free weights. There's also a small board room for business travelers, with other spaces in the property set aside for meetings as well. The hotel spa has a sauna and offers a huge range of facials, massages, scrubs, and wraps along with beauty services that include mani-pedis, haircuts, and waxing for men and women. A sundeck area, designed to resemble a yacht deck, was added in 2014 and includes a pool, whirlpool, and poolside bar.