Why The Vineyard Hotel remains one of Cape Town's favourites

Brian Berkman has a blissful, peaceful weekend away in one of the Cape's most loved hotels, with its mix of the historic and contemporary, inside and outside attractions.

- Brian Berkman

With seven acres of beautifully landscaped, mostly indigenous gardens, The Vineyard Hotel has the feel of a country estate or resort.

Yet it is within a few minutes’ walk from Kildare Road in Newlands and its many restaurants, or Cavendish Square — one of the southern suburbs’ first shopping centres. In fact, from this location you have the most notable schools and Genadendal, the president's official residence, in close proximity.

The Vineyard Hotel, The Oude Werf and The Stellenbosch Hotel are owned by the Petousis family, long regarded as fine hoteliers.

FROM HISTORIC TO MODERN

Built in February 1800, The Vineyard was Lady Anne Barnard’s Newlands retreat and the Cape’s first English-style house. The gardens flourished with indigenous protea and keurboom alongside English box and fir. While the original bones are historic, over the years three floors of accommodation have been added and, later still, a conference centre and contemporary indoor pool, gym and spa complex. The Angsana Spa at The Vineyard Hotel is operated by therapists trained by the Banyan Tree, one of Asia's most celebrated spas. This hotel is chock-a-block with quality art and crafts, including matriarch Kitty Petousis's fabric art. Important ceramics, antiques and pieces from the original homestead are displayed with more contemporary pieces.

During COVID-19, The Vineyard underwent a significant upgrade of its reception area, which now benefits from much more natural light and views into the gardens. As cavernous as its entrance lobby is, it also feels cosy with conversation settee setups throughout.

INSIDE AND OUTSIDE