A sultry city by the sea, Cape Town stands proud as the heart of South Africa. Known as ‘the fairest Cape of them all’, it’s naturally beautiful, framed by brilliant blue oceans and a striking coastline. The city is dominated by Table Mountain, which stands tall from every angle. The city’s turbulent past is learning to exist alongside a progressive, energetic young present – Cape Town is moving forward, and fast. And it couldn’t be any easier to get there and enjoy it: a direct overnight flight, minimal time difference, fabulous food and wine, great value and plenty of sunshine.
“Cape Town is undoubtedly one of the most breathtaking cities on the planet. This might sound biased as it’s my home town, but I’ve travelled extensively and I’ve yet to come across such diverse scenery. As an avid sports fan, there is so much on offer to keep you active all year round, from surfing to hiking. There are also loads of world-class golf courses, many having hosted European Tour events. One of my favourites is Clovelly. This is an amazing course – beautiful and challenging, and the scenic drive is worth the trip alone. After a long 18 holes, there is nothing better than heading over the mountains for a sundowner on the Camps Bay strip. Caprice is a great spot any time of the day, for breakfast or a late dinner, and on Sunday night it’s the place to see and be seen.”
Neil Docking – head of golf
What we can do for members
- Arrange a wine-tasting trip by helicopter of the surrounding vineyards.
- Charter a yacht around Camps Bay for an unforgettable sunset.
- Swim with sharks (thankfully in a cage).
- Arrange a bespoke safari trip, with accommodation in the game reserve.
- Organise champagne for your cable car ride up to Table Mountain.
What we can’t do
Guarantee the weather; with its microclimates, Cape Town can get up to four seasons in one day. If it’s raining, take a surf lesson. You are going to get wet either way.
Set your sights
Whether you go simply for the sand and shops, or en route to a safari in the Kruger, Cape Town time is all about beach-hopping, lazy days followed by sundowners, a fresh seafood dinner and a night of conversation at St Yves. If you get tired of the beach (which we think is unlikely), you could take a hike up Table Mountain or get your lifestyle manager to arrange a yacht to sail around Cape Point. Cape Town’s history and culture is present at every turn; a trip to Robben Island, the notorious prison, is a must. See Nelson Mandela's cell and hear stories that will leave you feeling very moved. Get your lifestyle manager to book ahead on your behalf, as public groups can be quite large.
Seize the day
Take control and see Cape Town the way you want to.
Morning: Grab your towel and head to the beach. At Camps Bay, you'll find great bars, wonderful sand and beautiful people who hang out on the palm-lined avenue or play volleyball on the beach. It’s like a small version of Miami South Beach.
Lunch: No trip is complete without a wine-tasting session at one of the local estates. Start at Groot Constantia in the leafy suburbs, where you'll find rolling lawns for picnics, cellar tours and an outdoor, shady restaurant for a delightfully lazy lunch.
Afternoon: Hike up, abseil down or get the cable car to the top of Table Mountain for jaw-dropping views. Go at sunset, on a day when the tablecloth (the cloud that floats like dry ice above the mountain) is off and the skies are clear.
Evening: Understandably, seafood is big in Cape Town and there are several very special places to find it. The glass-fronted Harbour House is built into the rocks and so close to the sea that spray can sometimes come in through the windows.
Show: South Africa is a sports-mad nation. Head to the world famous Newlands Cricket Ground to take in a bit of test match cricket.
Nightcap: For views of Table Mountain complete with champagne on ice, call your lifestyle manager to book a VIP table. The Fez offers the city's best late-night option, having recently re-opened after a lengthy hiatus, much to the delight of its stylish punters.
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