Luxury, Unplugged: The Cellars-Hohenort's Effortless Grace in Constantia Valley

In this Cape Dutch-style retreat, life slows down but doesn't stop. Neither do the offerings of luxury and heritage

- Words by GQ Staff

CAPE TOWN HAS no shortage of pretty places to stay, but very few have the kind of quiet confidence you find at The Cellars-Hohenort Hotel and Spa. Tucked away in the lush folds of Constantia Valley, the hotel doesn't need to shout to be noticed. It just exists, elegantly, timelessly, wrapped in the scent of old oaks and blooming gardens that have witnessed three centuries drift by.

Part of The Liz McGrath Collection, The Cellars-Hohenort sits on nine acres of award-winning gardens that could easily double as a living art installation. If you've ever wanted to know what a South African Eden might feel like, this is it. Paths curl through perfectly trimmed hedges, koi ponds glint in the sunlight, and the sound of distant birdsong hums like background music to the day. And yet, this oasis is just 15 minutes from Cape Town's city centre — close enough for convenience but far enough to feel like a reset button.

The hotel is a masterclass in balancing heritage and contemporary luxury. Originally two separate buildings — the old wine “Cellars” and the stately “Hohenort” manor — the property retains its Cape Dutch soul but has been carefully modernised to meet the expectations today’s luxury travellers bring with them. Imagine a late-afternoon gin and tonic on the terrace, a linen shirt slightly creased from the day and not a single thought of your inbox.