Tucked away in a quiet corner of Cape Town’s vibrant inner-city Labotessa boutique hotel is a gorgeous urban hideaway that has quietly become one of the city’s most sought-after escapes, weaving European charm and understated elegance with a celebration of the cultural heritage of South Africa’s Mother City.
Though Cape Town may be filled with new-build hotels, Labotessa revels in its storied history. Hosted in a grand Dutch-style townhouse dating back to 1677, the hotel overlooks historic Church Square, one of the city’s oldest public spaces, and stands opposite the graceful lines of the Groote Kerk, a city icon dating back to 1701. In a very real sense, Labotessa stands in the historic heart of Cape Town.
But when Labotessa founders Johan du Plessis and Jan Fourie became the new custodians of the building, it was a shadow of its former self. After seven years of meticulous planning and heritage consultation, a reinvention of the building was approved, charting a rejuvenation of this historic gem that pays tribute to the past while embracing a contemporary future.
“Our vision for Labotessa,” says Du Plessis, “Was always to transform this into a grand hotel on the square, as you would find in the great capitals of Europe. From the first moment, we could see the potential in this building. It has such classical European charm, and it was the perfect location for a luxury boutique hotel with a personal touch.”
A hotelier at heart
Du Plessis is certainly no stranger to the fine art of running luxury hotels, even if his journey began where you might least expect it. From a childhood spent on the dusty farmlands of the Free State, Du Plessis’s path whisked him to a famed hotel school in Switzerland, and a career managing luxury hotels across Europe and the United States for one of the world’s most respected hotel corporations. In the early-2000s Du Plessis brought his global expertise to Cape Town, combining international standards of service and design with the authentic hospitality the Mother City has long been famous for. The goal was simple: to create an unmatched urban boutique hotel experience in the Mother City.
“Many people assume that city hotels – whether in Cape Town or almost anywhere else – are noisy and lack atmosphere. We wanted to tick all the boxes for a more intimate experience that is subtly memorable at every touch point for guests,” explains Du Plessis.
That begins on arrival, where valet service whisks guests away from the colourful bustle of the city and into the Labotessa reception lounge, for a welcome drink and introduction to the hotel. It’s a human touch that is a hallmark of the personalised service at Labotessa.
Seven unforgettable suites
Labotessa is an all-suite hotel offering six Signature Suites and a top-floor Presidential Suite, each with secure direct elevator access. From the elevator, guests step directly into an urban haven, where a sense of continental elegance combines with memorable city views.
While each suite has its individual design touches, the holistic design language and colour scheme create a sense of character and continuity throughout Labotessa, accentuated by hand-picked artworks and bespoke furniture pieces.
“For me, luxury is about three elements: space, quality, and simplicity,” says Du Plessis. “That’s why we limited the property to just six Signature Suites, plus the Presidential Suite, and we kept the room designs neutral with a modern yet uncomplicated approach to the décor. We didn’t want the décor to overwhelm guests, or feel over-designed, but rather showcase quality and luxury in the details and finishings.”
And the details will surely delight at every turn, from the French oak flooring and Mungo napery to the complimentary canapés that await in the in-room minibar. Fitted with SMEG appliances, it hides seamlessly inside a bespoke wall unit. At Labotessa the fridge comes fully stocked with a selection of wine, spirits, beers, mixers and soft drinks, all complimentary and replenished daily. Alongside, a central cocktail-style pedestal table with integrated international plug points creates a multipurpose space for working and relaxing.
And in a nod to the hotel’s globally informed sense of style, in the marbled bathrooms Diptyque amenities add a uniquely indulgent touch to the suites. Remarkably, Labotessa is one of just a handful of select hotels worldwide to offer in-room amenities by this renowned French maison.
While the six Signature Suites are expansive, the top-floor Presidential Suite is amongst the largest in the city and promises indulgent amounts of private space with three sumptuous bedrooms and two lounges stretching across two floors. The large open-plan kitchen – a private chef is available on request – and dining area ensure the Labotessa Presidential Suite offers an enviably exclusive escape for families and multi-generational travellers to the city. Awash in natural light, the living area gives onto a private balcony complete with sun loungers and a private splash pool offering remarkable views of the city and Table Mountain National Park.
“The Presidential Suite offers what I call sensible abundance,” adds Du Plessis. “People appreciate the simplicity here; it’s luxurious without being ostentatious.”
A taste of Labotessa, open to all
That same sense of subtle indulgence comes to the fore in Labotessa’s public spaces, where the charming Café & Terrace melds Dutch and South African inspiration into a space that is elegant yet approachable.
In the salon-style Café – where the spiral staircase leads to an intimate mezzanine area – low chairs and richly upholstered couches surround tables decked with vintage décor and splashes of colourful fynbos. When the weather’s fine tables are set on the fringes of the historic Church Square, shaded from the city bustle by the hedge of potted plants. It’s a delightfully understated destination, certainly something of a local secret, that serves up an extensive menu of ‘Dutch-inspired café food made simple’.
That’s a perfect snapshot of what’s on offer, from the buttermilk and vanilla Hollandse Wafel to the signature Eggs Benedict at breakfast, with the breakfast menu available à la carte for both in-house guests and outside diners. Come lunchtime the menu meanders into more hearty fare, taking its cue from both Dutch and South African kitchens.
There’s the Broodje Pittige Kip of harissa-dressed chicken, dates and toasted almonds on sourdough, or a fragrant Bo-Kaap Bobotie that offers an authentic taste of the Cape. While the kitchen closes at 4 pm daily, both hotel residents and outside guests are invited to enjoy the Borreltijd menu of drinks and light bites – the panko-crumbed Hollandse Bitterballen with piquant mustard is a highlight – until the early hours. Alongside a collection of classic cocktails, the concise wine list has been hand-picked to showcase some of the Cape’s leading boutique estates. And with most wines available by the glass, Labotessa is an ideal destination for a light dinner before a concert at the nearby City Hall, or an aperitif and nightcap to bookend an evening out in the city.
Fragrance and savoir-faire
Set alongside the Labotessa Café & Terrace, framing the entrance to the hotel is the Labotessa Diptyque Boutique; the only boutique of its kind in South Africa. It’s a highly personalised experience, with Labotessa staff on hand to guide in-house guests and visitors through the heritage and craftsmanship behind this storied French fragrance house.
Diptyque is globally renowned for its collection of unisex eau de toilette and eau de parfum, as well as the coveted range of signature fragranced candles. At Labotessa the Diptyque experience offers up to 18 different varieties of sizes and scents, alongside home fragrances, body lotions and soaps.
“We offer Diptyque products in all our rooms,” says Du Plessis. “Guests often fall in love with the products after using them in the hotel, whether it’s the scent in the bathroom or the candles in the room, and we are then able to help take some of that experience home with them.”
For guests at Labotessa it is perhaps the perfect parting, as the delicate fragrance of this celebrated French maison combines with the coastal breezes of Cape Town. A merging of European savoir-faire and vibrant Africa, all blending seamlessly in the heart of Africa’s Mother City.
