We were recently honoured to be invited to the Taj Cape Town’s grand reveal of their new and improved lobby, a whiskey bar and upgrades to the Mint restaurant.
The Taj Cape Town has always presented the perfect meeting place between the past and present; a magnificent heritage building with a proud history in the epicentre of an equally historic city, where the movers and shakers of the day meet. Now, the hotel is ready for an exciting future, thanks to the new reveal of its beautifully refreshed ground floor.
Mark Wernich, General Cluster Manager Africa for Taj Hotels, notes that there are many reasons to be proud of Taj Cape Town; not least the way it has graciously thrived through tumultuous times for the entire hospitality industry. With both local and international arrivals on the up, the refurbishment of the hotel comes at the perfect time for Taj Cape Town to welcome a new breed of international tourists, business and MICE travellers including local guests on the lookout for exceptional experiences.
‘The beauty of our spaces has always attracted people eager to indulge in a little opulent luxury – from barristers to members of parliament, from international guests who are already familiar with Taj Hotels’ exacting standards and commitment to “Tajness” to locals who want an inner city experience with a difference,’ Wernich said.
The lobby lounge is a case in point: the grand architecture of the old South African Reserve Bank, where Taj Cape Town made its home, is still intact including the iconic fluted marble columns, but key touchpoint’s have been updated to create a fresher appearance to appeal to the modern traveller. The inclusion of a live band and a grand piano felt like a piece of art in between the luxurious surroundings making the grand opening feel like a Met Gala dinner. Guests were also encouraged to pose for pictures on the red carpet in order to keep such memories with them forever.
There is also a range of new experiences for the Taj guest to indulge in. The Lobby Bar, for instance, now features an even more spectacular view of iconic St George’s Cathedral, thanks to the installation of a large, customised bar positioned so that it is framed between the gorgeous sash windows that are one of the most noteworthy features in this space.
We were also introduced to a whiskey bar, offering a wide range of fine whiskeys. The experience is curated by Andrew Chirauka who’s a whiskey sommelier with experience in whiskey tasting that dates back over two decades. The environment is lit up by dim lights with the decor of nostalgic heritage photographs, making the experience more intimate and exclusive. Learning about different types of whiskeys and the different ways of preparations that go into distilling them is an experience which is sure not to be missed by whiskey connoisseurs who will be visiting the luxurious hotel.
Meanwhile, the furnishings at Mint Restaurant have received a bold, dramatic update. The introduction of a wood-fired grill adds a new dimension to the space, introducing an element of theatricality while inducing that local Mzansi flavour.
For those with a sweet tooth the addition of the Pantry will be heaven on earth; where visitors are able to feast with their eyes and choose a delectable treat from a selection of golden baked goods, and enjoy its with creamy a creamy cappuccino or fine Ceylon blend while relaxing in the newly furnished Lobby Lounge – the perfect venue for special occasions like baby showers, birthdays or reunions with friends.
‘With the tourism industry in Cape Town swiftly gaining momentum once more, we are thrilled to be able to offer a range of experiences to suit everyone,’ Wernich says, adding that this repositioning of Taj Hotels in Africa has included a similar exercise for Taj Lusaka. ‘This places us firmly on the trajectory for growth; we wouldn’t be surprised to see the performance in early 2023 outpace 2019,’ he concludes.
For those who missed the grand reveal on 17 November and want to experience the grand reveal, make a booking online or simply walk in and experience the Tajness!
Pictures: Supplied
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