South Africa was a whirlwind trip for me. It was one of my insane trips which was planned around a mistake fare.
I traveled for days and days to finally reach Capetown, which was a lifetime dream for me. I loved it and I hope to continue that dream and see more one of South Africa one day soon.
I spent four nights in Capetown, the first two at the magnificent Radisson Blu Waterfront, and the latter two at the Radisson Blu Le Vendome, in the Sea Point area of Capetown. The Radisson Blu Waterfront is such an outstanding hotel that it is hard to put it next to the Le Vendome and compare the two. Le Vendome is a bit of an older property, relatively recently acquired by Club Carlson, that could use a renovation and is a bit away from the famed V & A Waterfront Mall. Having said that, there are many positives about the Le Vendome.
First, though an older property, it is clean. Second, the staff is as nice as can be and goes that extra mile for the guests. There’s the gifts in the room and the wine in the lobby. Third, the hotel is right by the boardwalk where it’s great to run, or an easy (and very inexpensive Uber) ride from just about anywhere. Fourth, like any other place in Capetown, you can look up and see Table Mountain. Fifth, the price of the hotel is 1/2 to 1/3 of the Radisson Blu Waterfront and 38,000 gold passport points rather than 70,000 per night. So, it is a very economical option for a very good hotel, that I would still say is way above average.
The elegant lobby.
The room was large and comfortable, with a terrace. The decor was from another time, perhaps something I might describe as colonial. In some ways, I thought I was in a fancy children’s room, in others, I thought Martha Washington could have lived here. The room was very large. Oh, I said that!
In addition, there was also a refrigerator and Nespresso machine (Oh, how I love those Nespresso machines!), and the cutest little Parmalat single-serve milks.
I could see the ocean!
The bathroom was likewise old fashioned but grand!
bidet….
The carpet:
This was such a thoughtful welcome amenity!
I had the breakfast buffet one morning. I’ve never seen a real honeycomb at a meal!
There was a nice selection of fruits and yogurts and cereals.
and breads and pastries.
and meats and cheeses.
and juices.
and more yogurt!
coffee and tea station.
hot breakfast items.
You could additionally order from a menu.
My breakfast. It was quite good.
The dining room was very pretty.
the mezzanine area of the hotel was regal.
Though ready for a renovation, the Radisson Blu Le Vendome was simultaneously regal and grand. I felt like I was transformed to another time. The property itself is lovely, and the employees couldn’t be more caring. For all of these reasons, I recommend the hotel.
A New York frequent flyer who elegantly combines her passions for worldwide travel, running a gazillion marathons all over the globe and staying fit ... without sacrificing her fancy for good wine and food.
I sure hope you where there on points or otherwise free. It’s a old tired property, and brand a bit stale. I personally prefer the Protea brand in SA. But that’s my preference.
Yes, I was there on points, and yes, it was pre-devaluation. Thanks for your thoughts.
Your post brings back memories of our recent trip to ZA, where we too stayed at the Vendome and Waterfront properties.
Our favorite Carlson property in ZA was actually the Radisson Blu Gautrain in JNB, where we were really treated like honored guests. I’d go back there in a minute. The buffet, technically the same as the Vendome’s, was much tastier; the croissants were among the best I have ever had. The staff, at every level, could not have been more accommodating, from working some magic to allow us to check in very early to helping us get medical assistance when my husband hurt his shoulder; from storing our winter jackets when we went on safari to making sure we had perfect breakfasts every day of our stay.
I really did not like the Waterfront. The staff was very snooty and seemed to be doing us a huge favor by allowing our stay courtesy of a global e-cert. I really felt that to them, since we were guests on an award stay, we were second class. I am not into aspirational travel, so a snazzier lobby and newer decor do not make up for what comes across as a very unwelcoming attitude. Twice I asked for someone to call me regarding a problem, and twice no one did, despite assurances from the desk staff. Our upgraded room was tiny, quite different from the upgrades at both the Vendome and the Gautrain. And we also loved the in town location of the Vendome, in a neighborhood with “regular” people vs. the Waterfront property which was filled with rich tourists. We also felt that the Vendome staff went out of their way to make our stay pleasant.
Thanks for reminding me. I loved our time in ZA and it is fun to look back.