The Cellars-Hohenort Hotel

If you are looking for a beautiful weekend getaway that's full of elegant charm and in tranquil surroundings, I may have found just the place for you.

For our one year wedding anniversary, we spent 2 nights at the Cellars Hohenort hotel in Constantia and it was lovely. Here's the details....

A Little History:

Back in 1693, The Cellars-Hohenort was known as 'Klaasenbosch farm' and was owned by the chief surgeon of the Dutch East India Company (the land was given to him by The Governor of the United  Dutch Chartered East India Company, Simon van der Stel).

By the 1750's the farm found its calling and began producing wine.

In the early 1900's, after a few more owners and two centuries, the farm was bought by Arnold Spilhaus. He replaced the original thatched farmhouse with a German style manor.

Then in 1992 the Cellars-Hohenort was purchased & restored by current owner, Liz McGrath, and was subsequently invited to join the internationally renowned Relais & Chateaux association (which it is still part of today).

Side note: want to read a more detailed history, visit here

Our Suite:

We were lucky enough to have our room upgraded to a suite with a view over the garden.

I really loved how spacious the room was and the classic decor. There was a separate living room, large bathroom (with shower and tub), desk, loads of closet space, coffee station, complimentary mini bar and extremely comfortable bed.

I was very impressed with all the extra, complimentary details - including fresh flowers, a welcome fruit platter, a "handy" phone to use during the stay (we didn't , but it's a cool idea for foreigners), toiletries (including a dental kit & shaving kit) and a nightly turn-down service (which included a weather report for the next day and a chocolate).

Side note: The only real difference between a standard double room and a suite is the extra living room space. I stayed in a luxury double room a few weeks later and it was still pretty darn perfect, even without the extra space. 

The Grounds:

The Cellars-Hohenort is situated on the eastern slopes of Table Mountain, on 9-acres of lush land. Cultivated and cared for over three centuries, the hotel's award-winning garden will be the envy of every horticulturalist.

The beautifully maintained garden is filled with a variety of plants - including herbs, 950 vines, fruit trees, ancient camphor trees and more than 2500 roses. Many birds, squirrels, lizards, insects and a few porcupines also call this garden their home.

Garden tours can be arranged for visitors and guests.

The Pools:

Hotel guests can also enjoy two pools on the property, one is solar heated and one not. Both pools are surrounded by nature and are salt-chlorinated. Loungers, Lemon-infused filtered water and fresh towels are available all day.

During my stay I enjoyed a swim in the heated pool and then spent a couple hours reading on a sun lounger, it was blissful.

Top tip: summer or winter, don't forget your swimsuit. 

The Greenhouse Restaurant:  

There are two restaurants on the property and we were lucky enough to try both during our stay.

I honestly cannot say enough good things about The Greenhouse. The service was fantastic and the the food was a unique culinary experience. We had a 7-course tasting menu and I was wowed by each and every dish.

While this restaurant is definitely not everyone's idea of budget-friendly (just ask my husband), I would still highly recommend visiting for a special occasion or a memorable dinner.

The Conservatory:

If you are staying at the hotel, The Conservatory Restaurant will be the place where you have breakfast (it is included with most rooms).

There is a continental buffet and a cooked breakfast option available. I sampled both and enjoyed it all. Cost of the breakfast for visitors is about R350 a person.

Lunch and dinner are also served at The Conservatory. The menu is classic and incorporates fresh produce from the garden, when possible.

High tea:

While there, I really got into swanky hotel life and indulged in having the Cellars Classic High Tea in our room.

The High Tea is usually served at The Conservatory and costs about R245 per person. The sweet & savoury treats pictured below are for one person (me and the hubby shared,  as I was only a bit peckish after the big breakfast).

The Classic High Tea is a great thing to do for a girls lunch or special occasion. My only tip is to not eat anything beforehand.

Final thoughts:

I enjoyed so much about this hotel stay. The surroundings are very peaceful, staff was helpful and both restaurants were great. After two nights there, we both felt relaxed and were reluctant to leave (great signs of a fabulous getaway).

This hotel is perfect for anyone wanting to get away from the hustle and noise of the city. Though, if you should want to visit a more vibey area of Cape Town, there is a complimentary shuttle that departs for the V & A Waterfront daily.

For those looking for a bit more relaxation during your stay, the Hotel also has an on-site spa (which I plan to try next time).

Would I stay there again? Absolutely and without hesitation.

For more details or to book, visit HERE

Please note: This review was not sponsored, but the upgrade was complimentary. All thoughts are my own