Tucked away in the heart of Cape Town, on the charming Heritage Square, you’ll find the Cape Heritage Hotel, a boutique four-star gem that brilliantly fuses history and contemporary elegance, intimacy and liveliness, as well as style and coziness. This hotel lets you experience the modern city and what the city must have been like hundreds of years ago. The Cape Heritage Hotel is ideal for anyone wanting to immerse themselves in South Africa’s rich historical and cultural heritage, ideally located in the city centre, and within walking distance of many prime Cape Town attractions.
Originally built in 1771, the Cape Heritage Hotel resonates with the history of this vibrant city. This historic building tells stories of bygone eras, and you can feel the echoes of time in every nook and cranny. The location of the Cape Heritage Hotel is unrivaled. It is situated right in the center of the hustling and bustling city. The hotel can be reached in under half an hour from Cape Town International Airport.
The Cape Heritage Hotel forms an integral part of the lovingly restored Heritage Square. For over 300 years, Africa has held a special fascination for travelers and fortune seekers alike.
The Company Gardens at the foot of Table Mountain. Source: Wikimedia Commons
A Blend of History and Modern Comfort
The 17 individually decorated bedrooms are a testament to the preservation of this rich heritage. Each room has been lovingly adorned to not only retain the charm of the past but also to offer an array of modern comforts that cater to your needs and desires. The timeless high ceilings - all constructed of Rhodesian teak - extend the already spacious rooms. The deep-set windows are a testament to the building style of old. Modern luxuries add comfort to the stylish en suite bed chambers. The temperature in every room is carefully controlled.
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Only the highest quality extended king-sized mattresses are used, which makes sleeping in the Cape Heritage Hotel a pleasure. Surrounding the Cape Heritage Hotel is an eclectic collection of modern chic bars, restaurants, and stores. The Waterfront is within walking distance, and Table Mountain is a short ride away.
The Enchanting Courtyard and Ancient Vine
One of the most captivating features of the hotel is the enchanting courtyard that it opens onto. South Africa's oldest known fruit-bearing grapevine shades the hotel's central courtyard. This delightful space houses the oldest living grapevine in South Africa, a symbol of the hotel’s rich history and connection to the land.
One of the oldest vestiges of ‘Wine in the City’ is the two hundred and fifty year old fruit-bearing vine in Cape Heritage Square. Research has shown that the vine is a Crouchen Blanc, one of the first varieties to arrive in the Cape from the Western Pyrenees in France. However, when Frenchman Jean Vincent Rindon, winemaker and viticulturist, previous custodian of the vine and owner of Signal Hill Winery, sent cuttings to the Institut National de la recherché Agronomique, he was told that the vine was probably Gros Chenin. This vine is so old that it is difficult to accurately identify the variety.
‘It is already a small miracle that after all this time she is still around’ say the current owners of Heritage Square, Johan and Victoria Nel. The vine was then abandoned for over ten years, surviving unattended and fed only by the Cape’s rainwater. It is thanks to the vision and passion for heritage and art that the Nels possess that we have a glimpse of what Cape Town was like 200 years ago. The square is also becoming a gourmet food and art destination, constantly buzzing with activity. Adding to the concept of ‘Wine in the City’ is another French Winemaker, Christophe Durand, who is the current caretaker of the Heritage vine, who has also recently made taken residence in the Square.
In the 1960’s, the square was under threat of demolition to become a car park as part of city re-planning.
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The Cape Heritage Hotel includes breakfast, which you can enjoy in the breakfast room or the courtyard. Coffee shops, boutique restaurants, and modern eateries are found on Heritage Square. The reception will happily make your mealtime reservations at your behest.
Historical Context
To truly appreciate the Cape Heritage Hotel, it's essential to understand the historical events that shaped the region:
- In 1686, the Reverend Johannes Overneij and Governor Simon van der Stel established the colony’s first church in the early days of the Stellenbosch settlement. Until that point in time, church services had either been held aboard ships moored in Table Bay or at the Castle in Cape Town.
- A new Cape Dutch inn was built, complete with a front gable and steeply pitched thatched roof, which unfortunately also succumbed to a third fire in the 1890’s. The façade was again restored, this time with vaguely Georgian lines.
- On Sunday 2nd February 1659, Jan van Riebeeck, founder of the European settlement in South Africa, wrote in his diary: “fine warm weather… Today, praise to god, wine was made for the first time from Cape grapes…” Van Riebeeck planted the first vines in the Company Gardens at the foot of Table Mountain.
Cape Grace Hotel with views of the marina and Table Mountain. Source: cntraveler.com
At the Cape Heritage Hotel, you’ll be enveloped in a sense of timelessness and tranquility, providing the perfect backdrop for your romantic honeymoon.
Guest Reviews
Honeymooners and romantic travelers have praised the Cape Heritage Hotel in Cape Town for its excellent location, historic charm, and exceptional service. The hotel's location, surrounded by vibrant and friendly eateries, is within walking distance of the V&A waterfront and Bo-Kaap, making it ideal for exploration. Guests admired the hotel's beautifully restored 18th-century building and its comfortable rooms, complimenting the attention to detail such as daily weather updates, biscuits, and a beach bag with essentials. The staff's warmth, friendliness, and local knowledge were frequently mentioned, enhancing the overall experience.
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Here are some comments from verified guests:
- "Staff were so friendly and helpful, including help with luggage and advice about how to get to places. The location is great for exploring downtown Cape Town. The hotel is an excellent restoration of an 18th Century building with very comfortable rooms. But the best feature has to be the lovely staff, all of whom were kind..."
- "Perfect central hotel location. The hotel staff are so friendly and helpful. The location of the hotel is so much better than we expected with lots of tasteful bars and restaurants very close by. The bedroom was really lovely , clean, and good size with large bathroom. Highly recommend"
- "This hotel is a feast for the eyes with many art works and fixtures. Our room had a four poster bed and the decor was like a colonial stately home. Beautiful. The staff were on the whole warm and friendly and super attentive."
The Cape Heritage Hotel truly offers an unforgettable experience where history and luxury intertwine.
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