Sandwiched between There Cities' The Peninsula All Suite Hotel and Protea's The President, the 41-key Bantry Bay Suite Hotel is a bit of a hidden gem. Despite visiting and writing about hotels in the area for more than a decade it never before registered on my horizon - perhaps because of its boutique occupancy in terms of its neighbours, but whatever the reason it punches above its weight-class and is unexpectedly appealing.
With entrance on Alexander Road, it is neither on Beach Road or busy Queens Road yet overlooks both. Getting there is even easier now that the MyCiTi bus stops right outside The Peninsula. There is also a Woolworths Foods, and Spar, within easy walking distance so people who want to self cater can do so in the basic but adequate kitchenette.
First change to the hotel's look comes in the form of newly commissioned artwork - Cape Town scenes with Daliesq undertones, which Eben hopes will add energy to the first floor breakfast room and to give guests something other to look at than the sea.
Rather than compete with neighbouring restaurants, hotel guests can dine at The Peninsula or at other nearby restaurants, including the fine-dining La Mouette, and bill it to their room account.
Food is also available via a room-service menu or from the pool-side cafe. Expect to pay R75 for a gourmet burger and R95 for a cheese platter. Durbanville Hills Chardonnay will set you back R40 a glass or R150 for the bottle. They also offer in-room spa treatments at the standard R650 per hour.
We enjoyed our fifth floor duplex Penthouse not least because there was an enclosed roof balcony that would be suitable for all-over tanning - a bonus of Lion's Head views. There were also sliding doors rather than windows on both levels and we felt so secure we slept with the door open to the briny breezes and squeaking gulls.
We couldn't resist the two bikes for hire and sped along the promenade narrowly missing the tandem paragliders as they swooped to land on the lawns.
Many of the staff have been there for many years and we observed a number of regulars interacting with the staff and showing off photos of their children to them. I was also impressed how savvy and sensitive they were to the rules for the Jewish Sabbath as they stepped into the automatic opening doors so that observants could avoid triggering the electric mechanism themselves and breaking one of the Sabbath rules.
I also liked a hand-out in the room with 5 Great Ways to Discover Cape Town. Their selection of unusual activities and off-the-beaten track restaurants should be applauded - it would have been easier for them to recommend more typical activities.
Half-price Fridays at Freddies for cocktails and live music in the Michael Buble vein also attracts locals.
The hotel motto is "With Us You're Not Just a Number' and I felt this was reflected in all my interactions with the staff.
The hotel is currently graded four stars.
