Hospitality Design - September 2009 - 97

cape town city spotlight By Tara Mastrelli cape crusader Africa’s Mother City kicks off South Africa. Just the mere mention of the country’s name evokes contrasting images of apartheid, safaris, poverty, and beautiful, sweeping vistas. But with the FIFA World Cup being hosted in cities across the country next summer, one city has stepped ahead of the pack, attracting hoteliers, developers, and designers alike, with both its natural beauty and cosmopolitan vibe. Boasting a 45 percent growth in accommodation capacity over the past five years, with a surge of luxury hotel openings leading up to the World Cup next year, and close to $1.3 billion being spent on transportation infrastructure to keep up, Cape Town is catching everyone’s attention. Alfred (V&A) Waterfront, Tihany their own island—including a pair with in-room spa facilities. Three of the grandest suites are located in the hotel’s Marina Tower, with each more than 8,000 square feet in size and doubling as residential apartments. Inside, rooms are contemporary, yet thoroughly African in style, crafted from rich local walnut and stained ashwood. They’re all accented by woven carpets made in South Africa, “with a hint of African in their patterns,” Tihany says. The resort also features an 11-villa/13,000-square-foot ESPA Spa, a tri-level wine “loft”, and a pair of haute restaurants—Maze by Ramsay and Africa’s f irst branch of Nobu, which will be complemented by a 6,000-bottle collaborated with local architects Ruben Reddy and Dennis Fabian & Berman to create the 131-room resort using only local materials. “In the four years we worked on this project, we lived the site, breathed the air, met the people, and absorbed the richness and variety that Cape Town has to offer,” says Tihany. “We wanted our design to embody the local sensibility, and the multi-layered contemporary and traditional cultures that make up Cape Town style.” Guestrooms all feature views of the iconic Table Mountain, currently in the running for one of the new wonders of the world, with 40 suites literally inhabiting Photo by Mario Todeschini Homecoming King The one project that has everyone talking is Sol Kerzner’s South African homecoming with the opening of the continent’s first One&Only, bringing a star-studded international collaboration of talent that includes Adam D. Tihany, Gordon Ramsay, and Nobu Matsuhisa. “I wanted the resort’s feel to be contemporary while still drawing heavily on the rich African culture and heritage that has so greatly influenced my life,” says Kerzner, Johannesburg native and chairman and CEO of Kerzner International. “Much of the resort is inspired by my own love of Cape Town.” Located on the Victoria & From top: The historic and new glass tower façade of the Taj Cape Town; the lobby at the One&Only Cape Town. September 2009 www.hdmag.com 97
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Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Hospitality Design - September 2009
