‘Why don’t you put your feet up, relax by the swimming pool and I will bring you some tea and cake,’ were the words uttered by my delightful host for the day. ‘After I have a quick dip?’ I quizzed. ‘No problem! The tea will be hot and the cake will be sweet when you are ready,’ was the reply. This was a welcome start to what looked like a very pampering stay at the Last Word Constantia, located right in the heart of the Constantia Wine Valley.
I have stayed in a variety of establishments from down-right dodgy lodgings to expensive hotels, but I have never stayed in a place I could truly call a five-star home away from home. The minute I stepped onto the property I felt embraced by warm hospitality and a sense of belonging. You know that you have finally arrived when you start making mental notes of the intimate details that you would like to replicate in your own home, so you can try, if perhaps in vain, to surround yourself with the same beauty and luxury on a longer-term basis.
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‘Can I show you to your room so you can get settled?’ my host offered. Itching to see what my room boasted, I gladly agreed. On entering my elegant suite, my host affirmed that this is where I would be spending the night. I vaguely remember thinking to myself, ‘Only for one night? Are you sure you haven’t made an error?’ I was miraculously hoping that my one night at The Last Word had mutated into a few days, but the smell of fresh flowers in my room brought me rushing back to reality. The roomy suite, decked with the largest flat screen television I have had the pleasure of watching, soft, lengthly couches – that gave the bed a good run for its money – a Victorian bath, mosaic-tiled bathroom with rain shower and silky carpets screamed luxury and indulgence.
‘Can I send someone to turn down your bed for the evening?’ my host suggested. Taking a cursory glance over at the bed and remembering that I still needed to take a few photos of the immaculate room, I politely declined. ‘No problem! You will still have a wonderful sleep tonight!’ my host added. I had no doubt I would, but at that point I was trying to figure out how I was going to navigate my way out of the bed once I found my way in. I frantically tried to recall if I had my GPS with me. The generous size of the bed together with what seemed like puffy white clouds for pillows was definitely going to be a challenge for me. Sleep is my extravagance, and this time the hotel bed definitely had the last to say on this score. I swear I can still hear the bed uttering the words ‘I have you all to myself, hah hah hah!’
After eating a refreshing salad at Peddlars on the Bend, one of the local restaurants in Constantia, I decided to lounge on my bed and catch up on some much needed movie time. The victorian bath however kept catching the corner of my eye. Not being one for bathing, I was seriously having trouble deciding whether to go for the rain shower or the deep bath this time. One of the hopes that the Last Word Constantia strives to achieve is that once their guests have noticed the grasshoppers then they know their guests have finally relaxed and unwound. Taking more than 10 minutes to decide what I was going to choose as my preferred bathing option was certainly living up to their expectation. I finally decided that another dip in the pool, followed by a bath was the way to go. At least the shower would still be there in the morning, I surmised.
After deliberating about what to have for breakfast (making decisions was becoming increasingly difficult at this point), I selected my choice for the morning and placed my card outside my door. Not really being one for making food decisions ahead of time and following through on them when the time comes, I was mulling over whether I had made the right choice in breakfast items or not. When breakfast arrived, I really had a craving for eggs and not being part of my initial choice, I now felt disappointed that I hadn’t ordered it. To my delight, my waitress asked if I would like to make any additions to my breakfast ensemble and I hastily ordered my eggs together with a gorgeous cheese platter with figs, fruit smoothie, crispy croissant and a fresh brew of filter coffee.
Heading to one of the nearby seven top wine estates in South Africa for the morning, I felt a twinge of regret for not smelling more of the roses and drinking more of the coffee as I headed out the door.
Who do you think had the final say on this occasion? I don’t know about you, but I think this time it was The Last Word Constantia.
What you need to know:
- The Last Word Constantia has nine luxurious and stylishly appointed suites including pool suites, elegant suites and superior doubles
- 20-minute drive from Cape Town city centre
Rates:
Starting at R2500 a person sharing, including breakfast (for SADEC residents).
Other activities in the area:
- Boutique Shopping: Constantia Village and High Constantia
- Constantia Wine Route: seven wine estates
- Three championship golf courses: Steenberg, Westlake, Royal Cape
- 20 world-class restaurants
- walking trails
- Constantia Sports Club & Gym
- Peddlars On The Bend Restaurant
- Township tours
Contact:
Tel 021-794-2036, [email protected], www.thelastword.co.za
