On our last days of our trip to South Africa, we were lucky to visit the hotel 21 Nettleton. Nestled in the heart of Cliffton, it was the perfect end to our journey. As we arrived, the grand entrance of the hotel immediately caught our attention and we knew we were in for a treat.

On the check-in, we were greeted by the assistant manager and staff who couldn’t have been more welcoming. They were more than happy to help us with our luggage and even offered us a glass of prosecco as a complimentary welcome drink. The luxurious tone of the hotel was already setting in and we couldn’t wait to explore more. We had a quick tour around the property and were impressed by the complete privacy and exclusivity offered by the hotel. With only six rooms, they pride themselves on moulding a bespoke experience during your stay at Cape Town’s most sought-after residential address.

Our room for the stay was the Emperior Suite, which was a 75m² oasis of luxury. The suite was beautifully decorated and had all the amenities we could possibly need. The room was spacious and inviting, with large windows that let in plenty of natural light. We felt like royalty as we lounged in the outdoor lounge, taking in the beautiful views of Cape Town. The minibar and snackbar were well-stocked, and we indulged in some delicious treats during our stay.

We decided not to leave the hotel on the first day, and instead explored the area around the swimming pool and the hotel itself. I spent some time working in the lounge area, which was a piece of art in itself. A striking, distinguishing feature of 21 Nettleton is the collection of hand-selected pieces owner Hugo has picked up during a lifetime of travels, providing glimpses into the myriad of cultures and people he’s encountered. The art collection boasts over 150 pieces and predominantly focuses on iconic South African art, but also features unique pieces from Europe, China, India and the Middle East. It was like a mini-museum.

We spent the rest of the evening sipping cocktails at the pool grotto and enjoying the outdoor parlour area near the pool grotto. With bird calls and breaking waves forming the soothing backing track, we enjoyed in-house spa treatments. I also didn’t forget to hydrate, as the hotel provided the bottles by “Yes definitely” brand, which is their water collaboration celebrating local artists. We ended the first day with sunset canapes and a romantic dinner with the seafood and wine selection curated by the in-house chef Ronald. We spent hours indulging the views overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. It was like a dream come true.

The next day, we decided to explore Cliffton beach. Luckily, the hotel is in remarkable proximity to both the Lions Head and the beach – you can move from one to the other with barely the blink of an eye. The staff had made a beach bag for us and ensured that we had everything from beach towels to water and snacks. We felt like royalty.

When we got back to the hotel, we received a surprise from the hotel. They have heard that we have recently got engaged and prepared us some romantic decorations and treats in the room so that we can celebrate it there. It felt like a honeymoon. In the evening we were lucky enough to have another dinner with the in-house chef. We ordered a steak and a salmon paired with South Africa’s finest wines. 21 Nettleton is the best place to try great wines as their curated wine selection is based on wine farms we have visited. It was a real treat. Another point about the food – our breakfast was amazing. It’s my favourite part of the day, and I couldn’t wait for what the chef was going to offer. I was absolutely in love with their egg benedict. It was the icing on the cake.

All in all, our stay at 21 Nettleton was fantastic. The hotel offers a bespoke experience that is tailored to your needs, and the staff went above and beyond to make sure we had the best time possible. We felt like royalty and would highly recommend this hotel to anyone looking for a luxurious and personal touch on their next trip to Cape Town.