The Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa unveils its new look

The iconic 5-star Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa, Cape Town, consistently wins more than its fair share of awards but this only encourages the owners to make even greater efforts. Recently voted the No. 1 City Hotel and No. 1 Hotel Spa in Africa and the Middle East in Travel & Leisure’s 2009 World’s Best Awards, and gaining an impressive score of 94.2 in the Conde Nast Traveler magazine 2009 Readers’ Choice Awards, this fine hotel has now been further enhanced with an extensive multi million rand structural and interior design refurbishment.

Owner Mrs Tollman and her daughter Toni, inspired by the panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean and towering peaks of the Twelve Apostles Mountains, have created a fresh and calming design scheme that artfully combines sophistication with simplicity and comfort with elegance.

The glorious seclusion of the surroundings has been used to great effect with the natural feel and character of the environment being echoed throughout the bespoke designer bedrooms, lobby, corridors, the 24 hour Cafe and the one of a kind Presidential Suite. The ambience has been achieved with light yet warm fabrics, natural wooden shutters in the bedrooms, plus various designs and colours of Bodrum marble and Thassos beige and white marble to create a delightfully decadent feeling in all the custom-built bathrooms – for convenience a pale blue LED night light provides subtle illumination.

Each en suite bedroom has been uniquely designed and decorated to suit every palate, using luxurious fabrics and scrumptious colour hues, personally chosen antiques with custom furniture completing each room.  White hardwood plantation shutters adorn the windows, which lead out to private balconies overlooking the Atlantic Ocean or to the famous fynbos vegetation nestling below the magnificent Twelve Apostles Mountain range. Beds are the ultimate in luxury, complete with 400 thread count sheets allowing guests the most perfect nights sleep.

Skilled craftsmen from the local area, and further afield, provide a number of the more unusual items, such as mud chandeliers made from recycled clay and candy stripe wool carpets to emphasise the relaxed beach feel of Cape Town. A host of other thoughtful details have been added to meet every conceivable need and desire with the latest technology flat screen TVs in all rooms, iPod docking stations and wi-fi for sheer business convenience, all discreetly in evidence, while the walls are adorned with impressive art purchased from local artists and from antique houses round the world. The extensive grounds, already boasting a superb selection of sculptures, have become a showcase for the work of the most talented local artists.

Clive Bennett, Managing Director of The Red Carnation Hotel Collection in South Africa, comments that, “Excellence is the result of constant innovation and we are keen to take our already luxurious offering to an entirely new level.  Discerning guests are constantly looking for a once in a lifetime experience with fresh pleasures and we’re confident that this stunning refurbishment will launch an entirely new era in the hotels illustrious history. Our staff pride themselves on providing the ultimate in customer service and can’t wait to perform on what they see as a magnificent new stage.”

The piece de résistance is the breathtakingly decadent Presidential Suite, which has undergone a complete transformation, finished with perfect architectural details and the utmost attention to detail. Taking up almost the entire top floor of the hotel at approximately 455 square meters, the layout is immensely flexible with a large lounge, wood panelled study and dining area. The suite easily transforms to provide 1, 2 or 3 bedrooms en suite as required. The principal bathroom and bedroom have been significantly extended, affording sweeping uninterrupted views of the Atlantic Ocean, Lions Head and the Twelve Apostles Mountains, which the hotel enjoys exclusively.

A free-standing, antique marble bath allows guests to relax and unwind while taking in the breathtaking views and the immensity of the blue ocean. The superb seclusion of the private terrace offers the most perfect setting for an intimate cocktail at sunset, or private dinner for two. The decor of brilliant white silks, taffeta and lush custom fabrics in ice blues offers a fresh and vibrant feel of lightness and soothing tranquillity. Chests of drawers have custom crystal knobs and the principal bedroom’s custom made headboard is upholstered in ice blue silk is tufted with over 600 clear crystal buttons.

The floors are cool white marble throughout with under floor heating, white chandeliers from Capri, Italy and walls adorned with antique mirrors; some clad with a specially designed sculptural effect and exquisite mosaics. The dining area seating ten, allows our Executive Chef to prepare for you and your guests an private dinner according to your personal selections and while these are prepared, enjoy a specially mixed cocktail of your choice at your private bar while sitting on Italian designed barstools covered in pale blue leather.

The hotel’s already excellent green credentials have been further enhanced with a redesigned kitchen.  Under the direction of Executive Chef, Roberto Carvalho, the kitchen has been transformed to create a world class environment that goes hand in hand with world class cuisine.

These improvements include a customised air extraction system.  Installed by WSP consulting engineers, it uses a UV filtering system to remove all odours and turn all grease not caught by the filters into ozone for an environmentally friendly waste product. The new Capturejet Halton canopy, locally manufactured by AMMS, is a first for South Africa.  It provides a healthy, fresh environment and ensures comfortable working temperatures throughout the year.

The level of investment and the sheer attention to detail clearly demonstrates why Red Carnation Hotels are so respected the world over.  Nothing stands in the way of their passionate commitment to offer guests an experience unmatched throughout the entire hospitality industry.