Twelve Apostles Hotel

The Twelve Apostles Hotel & Spa is well equipped for guests who like the option of dining and relaxing on a hotel’s premises.The all-white spa has seven treatment rooms (including dual therapy rooms), a flotation tank, rain showers, hydrotherapy pools and a health bar to complete the physical cleanse. To truly unwind, head to one of two private glass gazebos located on the slopes of the Twelve Apostles mountain range for a massage amid the tranquillity of nature, with views of the ocean and sunset.

The Rasul Chamber offers guests a traditional Arabic cleansing ritual that is a combination of mud and warm steam.The 16-seater cinema has Dolby sound and on-tap movie goodies like popcorn and milkshakes. Take in one of the scheduled shows along with a meal or select one of your favourites from the film library – perfect for a rainy day or when you need to simply sit back and relax.One of the most unique aspects of the hotel is that, because it lies on former farmland and was once the site of a 19th century hunting lodge, it is surrounded by hectares of pristine fynbos, the indigenous heather that forms part of the magnificent Cape floral kingdom. Within the fynbos garden are 10 hammocks that beg for you to lie down and catch up on your holiday reading or cat-napping.

There is also a rock pool with mountain views as well as a heated infinity pool along the front façade of the hotel (keep an eye out for passing pods of whales during August and September). The fynbos also has several natural hikes, with durations that run from an easy 10 minutes to a more taxing 45 minutes.The Twelve Apostles Hotel & Spa runs a shuttle service to the popular V&A Waterfront, near the Cape Town city centre and harbour, which has attractions such as the Two Oceans Aquarium, boats to Robben Island, excellent shopping and views of Table Mountain from the many bars and restaurants.

For fine dining, Azure restaurant serves up plump oysters (even for breakfast), tender scallops, succulent abalone and perfectly cooked springbok on its menu that intertwines seasonal ingredients, local flavours and international favourites, with an extensive South African wine list to match (the wine is stored in the specially commissioned ‘Vinoteque’ to be at the best-possible temperature). The expansive balcony has sea views while the interior is a stately combination of dark wood and light linen warmed by a log-burning fireplace. Enjoy ‘Tea by the Sea’, a classic high afternoon tea where you can nibble clotted cream on warm scones and dainty cucumber sandwiches.The Café Grill is more casual: open round the clock, enjoy light meals on its alfresco deck before sampling exotic flavours from the ice cream menu.For cocktails or celebratory drinks, head to the cosy Leopard Bar. A favourite with locals, this is the spot to order a nightcap and catch up on the city’s news and gossip. If you are out on the terrace for a cotton-candy sunset, try The Twelve Apostle’s delicious signature cocktail, aptly named ‘Atlantic sunset’.