BLOEM - JULY 2024

The Nellie
Mount Nelson dates back to 1899 and is unequivocally the grande dame of Cape
Town. From the Prince of Wales gate, up the palm-lined driveway, to the impressive
porticoed entrance, it’s all old-school glamour and luxury.
Images: Kate Argo, Sean Gibson, Inge Prins
Glam and luxury. Yes. Posh. Absolutely.
Pretentious. Not in the slightest. In
fact, behind those pretty pale pink
walls you’ll find the most charming,
affable, family-friendly welcome.
It’s a romantic destination for
honeymooners, yes, but also with
multi-generational travellers high on
the guest list .... a hotel where local
and international guests return again
and again - little wonder, as they’re
remembered and welcomed with joy,
all their favourites on-hand without
them having to ask.
With it’s prime location, extraordinary
gardens and views of Table Mountain,
the iconic Mount Nelson - A Belmond
Hotel - truly is one of the Mother City’s
most loved destinations. First painted
pink to celebrate the coming of
peace in 1918 - which proved to be so
popular it’s remained so for more than
a century, then, and now, the glorious
hotel is so much more than a place to
stay ... it’s an experience.
Bucket list one ...
the much celebrated high tea
First bucket list experience is the
well-known and much celebrated
Afternoon Tea. Chef Vicky Gurovich
goes OTT with scrumptious
savoury and sweet treats, while
Tea Sommelier Craig Cupido talks
you through the choice of more
than five dozen loose-tea options
- his favourite is the strawberry and
vanilla tea - a fine match for scones
and cream. Insider tip: ask for the
clotted cream, which is only served
by request.
Equally - maybe even more -
desirable is the breakfast - with the
health station, the seafood station,
the crepes and waffle station and
juice and smoothie bar and a bread
station the size of a small bakery
followed by a dozen or so hot dishes
like eggs bennie and grilled kippers
and brioche French toast. Insider tip:
breakfasts are open for day visitors,
not just residents, so pop in even if
you’re not staying over.
For sundowners, order a Rose and
Rose - a heady mix of Cape Town
Pink Lady Gin, Aperol and Mount
Nelson rose, lemon and spiced
raspberry purée with a touch of
white chocolate - in the Planet Bar
... the achingly cool yet timelessly
classic bar with a fireplace for chilly
nights and a terrace for steamy
evenings. Or choose one of barman
Jono Makonga’s favourites - the Four
Noble Truths with Aqua Zulu Cachaça,
(made in Durban in small batches in
the traditional Brazilian style), mixed
with pineapple and roasted coconut
purée and lime. Just the one, though!
Insiders tip: Make time to stroll through
the mixology garden, where 95 per
cent of the botanicals used in the
signature cocktails are grown.
The Lord Nelson Room is moody ... all
wooden panelling on deep red walls,
where a roaring fire keeps things
cosy and guests play pool and chess
or one of the many board games ...
we can’t think of a more perfect spot
to spend a chilly evening. Insider tip:
The vibe’s smooth, old-time jazz ...
and you’ll find the Jazz Greatest Hits
playlist they love on Spotify.
The moody Lord Nelson Room
It’s a dog’s life at the Pink Lady. Check
into one of the hotel’s five ground
floor, pet-friendly rooms ... where
they’re as spoilt as you are. Think
personalised welcome cards and
treats on arrival, plush velvet beds
and chilled rooibos tea to cool them
down. They can join you for tea, where
there’s a dedicated pet menu, and are
welcome in most areas of the hotel
and gardens. Insider tip: The dress
code is Chommies ... and you can buy
limited-edition Chommies accessories
for Rufus. And ... a percentage of the
100 Get It Bloemfontein July 2024 getitmagazine.co.za/bloemfontein