The Twelve Apostles hotel enjoys a superb location a mile from Camps Bay glitzy seaside strip yet quite alone on its own stretch of coastline, without another building anywhere near. It is literally in the shadow of the Twelve Apostles mountain range of craggy peaks. This gives the Twelve Apostles hotel commanding seascape and mountain panoramas from its various terraces and bars. Tranquil and remote, one feels removed from life’s daily concerns in this imposing Cape Town institution. The hotel has warm hospitality with excellent service, being consistently complimented by guests.
The ambience of Twelve Apostles Hotel is welcoming and peaceful, with serenity ensured by the lure of the grotto-like spa. The stylish Azure Restaurant offers Atlantic seascape vistas in elegant surroundings of plushly upholstered dining chairs and soft drapes. Romantic al-fresco terrace dining lit by Moroccan candle lamps enjoys views back across Camps Bay and Clifton beaches up to the iconic Lion’s Head. Inventive Cape fusion cuisine in the Twelve Apostles restaurant specialises in seafood while sundowners beckon at the Leopard Room and Lounge’s broad terraces. At night deep yielding sofas centred around a restful fireplace are supremely comfortable. The Cafe Grill serves light meals while traditional afternoon tea is also provided.
Accommodation presents a choice between mountain facing and sea view bedrooms of which there are 70, plus 14 luxury suites. The incredibly rich flora of the mountain slopes and the ocean blues are reflected in the décor. The interiors are light and eclectically furnished in African darkwood motifs and European-style bed linens dressing four-poster beds in certain suites. Superior spacious suites have hand-woven fabrics, tasteful artwork, couches and private balconies. The palatial presidential suite has en-suite bedrooms with twin vanity and dressing facilities and a wide balcony. The bathtub is set against a picture window framing views of Lion’s Head. The decor is sophisticated in understated stone, cream and clean white soft furnishings with lounge and dining room of pale local woods.
All this in an environment that bursts with distinctive fynbos flowers extending along the slopes of the mountain range to Table Mountain National Park, home to more plant species than the entire British Isles! The uninterrupted sea views are magnificent whatever the weather and especially photogenic on stormy days when the wind stirs up the surf.
The Sanctuary Spa at Twelve Apostles Hotel incorporates natural rock alcoves, Buddha statue recesses and five treatment rooms in a subterranean cave of rock boulders and underfloor neon-lit glass walkway bridge. The Rasul Chamber offers mud wrap treatments while above ground shaded gazebos house treatment tables. The rock pool with restful waterfall feature and adjoining elevated terrace offer perfect sunbathing locales on the mountain side while the sea-facing one has an extensive decking platform from which to gaze out to the horizon.
In the winter season southern right whales may be seen surprisingly close to the shoreline overlooked by the hotel. Otherwise one can take a rewarding nature trail on eight established paths through the neighbouring mountain range or hike along to Table Mountain; the hotel will pack a picnic.
There is also an intimate 16-seater cinema, gym, business centre and conference facilities. There is a shuttle service into Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront and also car and helicopter transfer to Cape Town Airport. Numerous international awards have been given to Twelve Apostles Hotel, including 48th in the World’s Top 100 by Conde Nast Traveller Magazine, and 5th best Spa Hotel in Africa .
"Voted top City Hotel and Spa in Africa (Travel + Leisure reader survey 2009), the Twelve Apostles boutique hotel has only ocean and mountains as neighbours, yet is just a few minutes from cosmopolitan Cape Town."
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