The Spa at Cape Grace

The Spa at Cape Grace

After a few days of game viewing and a long drive into town nothing feels better than a massage and beauty treatments. It was especially nice to change into on a bathrobe and oversize slippers in our Cape Grace hotel room and walk down the hall to the hotel spa for a much needed respite. A large and colorful mosaic greeted me behind the glass doors of the spa. Beyond it a young lady welcomed me politely and showed me to a waiting area nestled between therapy rooms. The common room had a marvelous view of Cape Town and its famous Table Mountain. Being the only one in the room, I sat down in a cushy lounge chair, sipping herbal tea and enjoying the million dollar private view.

Steenberg Hotel

Steenberg Hotel

Our half hour drive from the Cape Town airport to the Steenberg Hotel was easy. On the way, we admired the beauty of the area including the mountainous background that gave it a dreamlike quality. Inside the property, which shared space with an upscale golf community, there were grapevines lining the road. At the Steenberg, we were close enough to enjoy all the benefits of bustling Cape Town and yet it was a different world of serene beauty.

Mount Nelson

Mount Nelson

For years we heard how wonderful the Mount Nelson was. We left our extraordinary waterfront accommodations early to sample the historic Mount Nelson . We need not have bothered. We found droopy, dated, and at times smelly, common areas, poor food, indifferent staff with an attitude; and a less than desirable location for our Victoria & Alfred Waterfront oriented visit.

Kagga Kamma Private Game Reserve – Bushman Lodge

Kagga Kamma Private Game Reserve – Bushman Lodge

Kagga Kamma, located in an arid area, was named for the waters that were plentiful at one time. It is the only game lodge in South Africa with four star graded luxury caves, was a great place to get away. We appreciated the lodge’s comfort orientation; cave design rooms, and efficient service staff. Without phone, fax cellular phone, or Internet access, we focused on the quiet and stark beauty of our surroundings.