WHAT’S IT LIKE? With carefully restored 17th-century buildings and courteous and able staff, the Steenberg Hotel blends timeless elegance with a warm, welcoming attitude. I had expected a stuffier vibe after hearing stories of how exclusive it was, but this luxury getaway was wonderfully lacking in pretension. The hotel clearly wasn’t trying to market itself toward a trendy crowd, nor was it stuck in a conservative mindset. (When I asked about a dress policy for dinner, staff jokingly told me it was clothes.) From the moment I arrived, the personnel were eager to cater to my every need, collecting my bags from the car, opening doors and even preparing check-in paperwork prior to my arrival, so that all I needed to do once I got there was sign my name.
WHERE IS IT? Located on the Cape’s oldest farm in Constantia Valley and in the shadow of the mountains from which it takes its name, Steenberg Hotel is just a 20-minute drive from Cape Town.
HOW MANY ROOMS? This boutique property has 24 en-suite rooms and suites, many with private patios.
ROOM FACILITIES When I arrived at my room, the porter showed me how to use all the electronic devices, but I was more dazzled by the view of the golf course. (True, I might have preferred views of the vineyard, but it was stunning, regardless). The room was peppered with antiques and original artwork, which lent additional warmth to the space, while modern amenities such as Wi-Fi, a digital safe and a tea/coffee maker were put to good use.
BUSINESS AND MEETING FACILITIES The hotel can accommodate up to 24 people in its meeting room equipped with a full terrace overlooking the vineyards and mountains. State-of-the-art video conferencing equipment is available for various occasions.
RESTAURANTS AND BARS Breakfast at Catharina’s blew me away. I’ve never been a fan of eggs, but the chef used a combination of spices that quickly turned me into one. He was even gracious enough to share the recipe with me after he saw my reaction. And, of course, dinner was no disappointment either.
The true highlight of Steenberg, however, originates from its vineyards. Obviously, I wasn’t the only one who knew this, because an eclectic mix of people was lunching there that day. In addition to tourists such as myself, many of the patrons had driven out from Cape Town specifically for a bite to eat or to purchase a case of wine.
I sat down to a wine tasting before lunch that turned out to be one of the best I’ve ever experienced. When I arrived, the bartender said I could take a seat anywhere—the patio, the bar, or on one of the inviting couches—and that she would bring me the wine. Feeling sociable, I chose the bar and sampled roughly a dozen stellar wines, purchasing a handful and ordering another one with my meal.
LEISURE FACILITIES The Spa at Steenberg, operated by the Ginkgo Spa and Wellness Group, offers a menu of treatments that will soothe avid golfers after spending a day on the property’s 18-hole course, which happens to feature the largest green on the continent.
The property also hosts daily wine tours, which I was sorry to miss. I had booked a spot on the tour for my second morning and was expecting to meet in the breakfast room, as the clerk hadn’t specified where to go. Roughly 15 minutes after the tour's scheduled departure time, I asked a staff member about it, and learned that the group had left without me. I was disappointed that nobody had bothered to find me, especially on such a small and intimate property, but I didn’t let it ruin my trip.
VERDICT The impeccable service and picturesque surroundings more than made up for the miscommunication that kept me from joining the wine tour. If anything, it only gives me a reason to return.
PRICE Rates start at ZAR 2,050 for a standard luxury room.
CONTACT Steenberg Hotel, 10802 Steenberg Estate, Tokai Road, Constantia, Cape Town, South Africa; tel. 27-21-713-2222;
www.steenberghotel.com.
