TIME is precious, or so we’re told, and where better to muse on the value of time than the exclusive Dock House Boutique Hotel & Spa and intimate Manor House, both set alongside the original Time-Ball Tower in the heart of the V&A Waterfront’s historic and secluded Portswood precinct.
Both the Dock House and the adjoining Manor House attached to The Queen Victoria Hotel, re-open to guests tomorrow, 1 September after being mothballed for most of the pandemic. Both unique properties offer an unmatched destination for boutique escapes in the heart of Cape Town’s most vibrant shopping and dining destination.
The Dock House is intimately woven into the historic fabric of the V&A Waterfront precinct, and what was originally the Harbour Engineer’s private residence in days gone by is today an acclaimed boutique hotel, standing alongside the time-ball once used by ships to synchronise their all-important chronometers. Yet while the square-riggers and clippers have long since set sail, this elegant property still stands proudly on the hilltop, enjoying some of the best harbour views in the world.
The Dock House consists of five elegant rooms and one suite, making it the perfect destination for intimate celebrations, exclusive group bookings and bespoke corporate gatherings. The spacious ground-floor rooms offer direct access to the wind-protected lawns and pool arena, while the two front-facing rooms on the upper level enjoy private balconies – recently refurbished – boasting superb sea and harbour views.
In addition to the luxury rooms the spacious ground-floor suite offers yet more layers of charm and character, with French doors opening onto a sheltered courtyard garden; a private hideaway for couples seeking perfect privacy.
There’s also no shortage of privacy within the Dock House garden, where indigenous plantings and lush lawns surround the sparkling swimming pool that are surely one of the best-kept secrets of the V&A Waterfront. Sun loungers take full advantage of the glorious Cape weather, while the chic pool bar serves up craft beers, Cape estate wines and an inspired menu of poolside cocktails. A compact menu – and a delicious à la carte breakfast can be enjoyed out on the terrace, an idyllic location beneath waving palms, or in the cosy Victorian era dining room.
Just a few steps from the Dock House is the exclusive Manor House at the Queen Victoria Hotel, a popular destination for leisure travellers seeking a central location for touring the Cape, or corporate travellers needing a convenient base for city meetings. Both the UCT Graduate School of Business and numerous corporate headquarters are within easy walking distance.
Sharing a central reception area, the Manor House offers four luxurious junior suites, each with a spacious bedroom giving onto a private balcony or terrace overlooking the working harbour below. Each bedroom stretches to include a stylish sitting area decorated with contemporary artworks, as well as a separate compact workspace. En-suite bathrooms are particularly lavish, decorated in a modern-Victorian style that blends contemporary luxury with a flash of classical opulence.
The four suites at the Manor House offer a range of modern conveniences, from Wi-Fi enabled butler calling, to high-speed Internet access and in-room Nespresso machines. On the upper floor of the Manor House, a private room doubles as a secluded meeting space for executive travellers, or separate dining area for families and small groups.
But central to the appeal of both the Dock House and the Manor House is the level of personalised service on offer, says Andy Nold, General Manager for Newmark Hotels in the V&A Waterfront: “Guests at both properties are taken care of by a dedicated concierge, who is on hand 24/7 to help you craft an unforgettable stay in Cape Town. Guests also have seamless access to our collection of fine restaurants and bars at our larger hotels within the city.”
So when you feel like sundowner cocktails at the elegant Dash Bar at the Queen Victoria Hotel, or dinner on the quayside at Ginja in the Victoria & Alfred Hotel. Simply ask your concierge to reserve a table, and charge it back to your room.
Guests at both the Dock House and the Manor House also enjoy privileged access to the adjoining Sanctuary Spa, which offers a range of facial and body treatments. A highlight is the treatments within the unique Tylarium, fusing the restorative properties of both sauna and steam room. Alongside the spa, the well-equipped gymnasium offers state-of-the-art Technogym treadmills, bikes and cardio equipment. A separate floor space is equipped with weights and strength-training equipment.
Though the Dock House and Manor House may feel wonderfully removed from the bustle of the Waterfront and city centre, their central location and array of services effortlessly combine to deliver the best of all worlds. At these unique hotel destinations, service, setting and style come together to offer an unforgettably exclusive Waterfront escape.
The Dock House Boutique Hotel and the Queen Victoria Hotel’s Manor House re-open their doors on 1 September with reservations now live via www.newmarkhotels.com. An attractive re-opening rate of R5,650.00 per room per night inclusive of breakfast is available until the end of September 2021, subject to availability. Book for two nights or more and receive an additional saving of 10%.
