European charm in the heart of the Mother City

LABOTESSA BOUTIQUE HOTEL IS CAPE TOWN’S MOST ELEGANT ADDRESS

Situated in a grand Dutch-style townhouse dating back to 1677, the hotel overlooks historic Church Square, one of the city’s oldest public spaces, and stands opposite the graceful lines of the Groote Kerk, a city icon dating back to 1701. In a very real sense, Labotessa stands in the historic heart of Cape Town.

Labotessa is an all-suite hotel offering six Signature Suites and a top-floor Presidential Suite, each with secure direct elevator access. From the elevator, guests step directly into an urban haven, where a sense of continental elegance combines with memorable city views.

While the six Signature Suites are expansive, the top-floor Presidential Suite is amongst the largest in the city and promises indulgent amounts of private space with three sumptuous bedrooms and two lounges stretching across two floors. The large open-plan kitchen – a private chef is available on request – and dining area ensure the Labotessa Presidential Suite offers an exclusive escape for families and multi-generational travellers to the city. Awash in natural light, the living area gives onto a private balcony complete with sun loungers and a private splash pool offering remarkable views of the city and Table Mountain National Park.

That same sense of subtle indulgence comes to the fore in Labotessa’s public spaces, where the charming Café & Terrace melds Dutch and South African inspiration into a space that is elegant yet approachable.

In the salon-style Café – where the spiral staircase leads to an intimate mezzanine area – low chairs and richly upholstered couches surround tables decked with vintage décor and splashes of colourful fynbos. When the weather’s fine, tables are set on the fringes of the historic Church Square, shaded from the city bustle by the hedge of potted plants. It’s a delightfully understated destination, certainly something of a local secret, that serves up an extensive menu of ‘Dutch-inspired café food made simple’.

Come lunchtime the menu meanders into more hearty fare, taking its cue from both Dutch and South African kitchens.

While the kitchen closes at 4 pm daily, both hotel residents and outside guests are invited to enjoy the Borreltijd menu of drinks and light bites – the panko-crumbed Hollandse Bitterballen with piquant mustard is a highlight – until the early hours. Alongside a collection of classic cocktails, the concise wine list has been hand-picked to showcase some of the Cape’s leading boutique estates. And with most wines available by the glass, Labotessa is an ideal destination for a light dinner before a concert at the nearby City Hall, or an aperitif and nightcap to bookend an evening out in the city.

Labotessa can be found at 5 Church Square, 37 Parliament St, Cape Town City Centre, Cape Town, 8000.

For more information or to book your stay, visit www.labotessa.com, email stay@labotessa.com or call +27 (21) 010 6600