Cape Town’s iconic Cape Grace has ushered in a new era of hospitality with a fabulous redesign by globally renowned interior and architecture firm 1508 London, writes JANE MAYNE.
The landmark property’s transformation now sees the Cape Grace join a collection of 90 Fairmont Managed Hotel’s worldwide.
Reopening its doors after nine months of renovations on 1 May, 2024, the venue has once again maximised its location in the V&A Waterfront precinct, offering panoramic views of Table Mountain and exquisite local cuisine, in addition to the luxury hospitality for which it has become known.
Chef Gregory Czarnecki
Inspired 7-course Degustation Menu
With Heirloom Restaurant the centrepiece of the Cape Grace experience, there is much to celebrate. Acclaimed Chef Gregory Czarnecki steers the taste-driven odyssey. He shares his passion for food in a Tasting Menu featuring creative dishes using locally sourced ingredients. Czarnecki is a French-born talent who brings with him a wealth of expertise garnered from his tenure at Michelin-starred restaurants across the world.
Known for fine-dining cuisine at The Restaurant at Waterkloof, and for his contribution to MasterChef South Africa, he’s the perfect complement to this flagship eatery. Czarnecki’s menus take their inspiration from the landscapes of the Western Cape and have been designed to sustainably source the freshest seasonal ingredients from local farmers and suppliers. As such, Heirloom’s highlight 7-course Degustation Menu blends ingredients gathered from the slopes of nearby mountains, oceans, forest floors, and fynbos of the Cape. Signature dishes include south coast Lobster caught from a nearby harbour, and locally caught poached hake quenelle served with a Cap Classique sauce.
Czarnecki says: “I have brought my DNA and personal touch to Heirloom and each of the unique dining spaces at Cape Grace. As the only hotel to be located on its own private quay, my aim is to craft a dining experience that celebrates the region we’re so lucky to be in, making the most of the ingredients and flavours from the local land and sea while pushing the boundaries of creativity and taste.”
Extraordinary Fairmont Hotels
Other new dining options at Cape Grace include a Pool Bar, and a Library Lounge, which is a great setting to enjoy traditional afternoon tea or the art of mixology. A revamped Bascule Bar & Lounge beckons in the evening for a pre- or post-dinner drink, and here patrons can savour an extensive whisky collection, or sample local vintages from an exclusive wine cellar.
But ultimately, this hotel is all about creating a haven for the contemporary traveller, and guests are accommodated in one of 112 rooms and suites which feature large French windows, or balconies that look out onto either the Harbour or Marina overlooking the majestic silhouette of Table Mountain.
The stand-out suite is a two-bedroom Cape Grace Suite with an expansive terrace offering breathtaking mountain views, a stylish lounge and a dining area with a private bar and butler’s pantry – perfect for families or entertaining friends who are in town!
Every traveler needs pampering, and the serene Fairmont Spa also awaits those who relish detox massages, tailored bath rituals, jet lag recovery treatments, a salt room experience, guided meditations, and other curated health-oriented packages.
Idyllic settings
Fairmont Hotels & Resorts are always extraordinary destinations which welcome guests to enjoy luxury and elegance in idyllic settings, and the Cape Grace’s pioneering approach to hospitality makes it another top-end addition to their portfolio. The Cape Grace’s novel design transformation has been inspired by South Africa’s heritage and culture, which is highlighted by handpicked artwork by local artists, which can be seen throughout the hotel. Under its new guise, décor materials were also chosen to reflect a contemporary, understated look that harmonises with Cape Town and its natural surrounds; with interiors curated in salute to the country’s diverse narrative – from its landscapes and languages, to its art and culture.
The V&A Waterfront continues to welcome millions of people from all over the continent and world, and The Cape Grace remains an integral part of this Mother City commercial and lifestyle hub. Embedded within this popular mixed-use destination located in the oldest working harbour in the Southern Hemisphere, the hotel remains a pivotal feature of this historic locale.
The Cape Grace is situated at West Quay Road, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, Cape Town, South Africa. Call +27 (21) 410 7100, or e-mail For more information, see www.fairmont. com/cape-grace/. Heirloom is open for Lunch from 12h00 – 14h00, and Dinner from 19h00 – 23h00. To make a reservation, see www.capegrace.com/restaurant/ heirloom-restaurant/