Watching the sunset, we don’t know where to look first. The reflection of the sun as it hits the ocean or the ever-changing drama of the Jurassic landscape that is the Twelve Apostles. In any case, we’re enveloped in elegance and luxury in the area’s most lavish resort, the Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa.
The Twelve Apostles mountain range forms the back of Table Mountain, stretching 6km and averaging 750m above sea level. It provides a stunning backdrop to the luxurious South African property that’s the Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa.
Stood on the private terrace of our vast corner suite, overlooking the ocean as the mountains towered over us, it was hard not to be overwhelmed by the area’s cinematic beauty.
The concierge remembered the wine we enjoyed over dinner the previous evening at the Azure restaurant; and moreover the conversation we had about being able to make out the silhouettes of seals basking in the last of the day’s sunshine on the ocean rocks in the distance. When we returned to our suite after a long day of exploring, we found a chilled bottle of the same wine on ice to enjoy, as we took in the sunset. Laid alongside was a pair of binoculars. They remembered our interest in the wildlife of the western cape and ensured we got the opportunity to take a closer look.
It is this personal relationship and attention to detail that has people rebooking and returning to The Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa. So rarely these days do we experience this approach that sees all the staff remember our names, drink preferences and whether we liked sun or shade by the pool. It’s no wonder that so many of our fellow guests who we spoke to return every year from across the globe. Some never leave, in fact!
| Perfect for | Fly into | Right on time |
| The Sophisticate | CPT | GMT +2 |
| While you’re Out There |
| Just a ten-minute drive from the Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa is stunning Hout Bay. There’s a gorgeous beach there and relaxing here is a wonderful way to spend an afternoon. The harbour hosts craft markets and a number of fab restaurants. Boat trips to Duiker island to see the 6,000-strong colony of Cape Fur Seals are also recommended. For those who would rather raise a glass than find their sea legs, make sure to call into the Hout Bay Vineyards where the Roeloffzes have been crafting award-winning champagne-esque sparkling wine for well over a decade. A tasting visit to their cellar is a must-do, but available by appointment only. |
Our accommodation and the hotel’s communal spaces have the relaxed ambience of a private members club, effortlessly stylish, yet informal enough to treat as our own. The Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa’s private grounds are open exclusively to hotel residents and have walks that range from a ten-minute stroll to one-hour hikes. Clearly marked paths, a detailed map and the option of a picnic basket are all available. We opted for an early morning (recommended before the summer heat kicks in) walk after our sumptuous buffet breakfast. We hiked up to the rock formations and boulders and instantly felt dwarfed by the magnificence of the surrounding landscape. We were glad we packed our sports shoes, as this is not a Jimmy Choo kind of terrain.
Heading back to the hotel, we really appreciated the hammocks that were set up beneath the trees en route, marked on our map as if they knew we would stop. The pathway back led us directly to the hotel’s rock pool with its invigorating cool water, conveniently located next to the Cafe Grill which offers some of the best sushi in Cape Town.
After all this exercise, the spa called, followed by a massage in a private gazebo, where we breathed in the mountain air and zoned out to the sound of distant waves crashing. Needless to say, we were rather tempted to take a leaf out of the books of those guests who check in and stay all summer!
Photography courtesy of Red Carnation Hotels
