Cape Town - Situated on Camps Bay promenade, The Marly is easy to overlook. But that just confirms that sometimes fabulous things are hidden in plain sight.
Only a few months old, the boutique hotel is set to become a firm favourite for the discerning traveller.
Beautifully appointed suites are complemented by killer views of the ocean or Table Mountain.
Throughout my stay, I felt as if I was catching a glimpse of how Hollywood starlets live. The decor and comfort of the hotel all call to mind a very sophisticated era when screen goddesses lounged at the pool and uniformed staff attended to their every need.
With only eleven suites, the emphasis is on comfort and service. Staff are exceptionally friendly and eager to assist each guest, making your stay unforgettable.
All rooms have DSTV, a minibar and a beautifully appointed lounge area.
What sets The Marly apart is the attention to detail.
No crappy instant coffee or milk substitutes. Each suite comes with a pod coffee maker and the coffee and tea is of the finest quality. Ample bottled water and cold drinks mean you don't have to leave your room if you don't want to.
For the discerning guest there is a bath butler service to indulge yourself or that special person in your life. You can relax in a scented bath while enjoying delectable snack platters which cater to every taste. With the stylish bath surrounded by mirrors, the scene is set for a truly luxuriant and sensual experience.
Attached to The Marly are two fabulous restaurants, which also form part of the Kove Collection.
Umi serves Japanese fusion cuisine which is to die for. If you're a newbie to this type of cuisine, don't be afraid to say so. Their staff are eager to help and will suggest options suited to everyone's taste. My personal suggestion is the beef fillet if you want melt in your mouth goodness which is exotically flavoured yet infinitely yummy. The baby spinach is both refreshing and bursting with flavour.
As for location, you cant fault the Camps Bay beachfront as a settling for a beautiful meal. We had supper on one of the first truly cold Cape Town autumn nights. A roaring fire and discreet lighting creates a cosy atmosphere. Portions are ample and beautifully presented - for me again, the devil is in the detail.
A slight draught cased my dinner companion to shiver delicately, but our waiter was quick to produce a blanket and we truly felt as if they were in no hurry to get rid of us. In a bustling, vibey eatery that’s rare.
After dinner, our plans to take a walk along the beach were scuppered by the weather, instead we explored some of the trendy nightspots, but ultimately decided on a quiet night in.
Even here, The Marly comes up trumps. They offer a selection of DVDs to watch in your room our you can chill out with a good book in the stylish library area. Because the pool area is fully enclosed and totally private we went for a late night swim.
A peaceful night lulled to sleep by the sound of the waves, we were more than ready to take that walk on the beach. Brisk winds and stinging sea spray left us refreshed and ready for a hearty breakfast at Zenzero.
Beautiful decor, a huge fire and super friendly staff make this one of those special places you know you’ll visit again. Zenzero puts the fresh into freshly made, from fruit juice to fruit salads, muesli and exquisitely prepared cooked breakfasts, there’s nothing ordinary about them. Whether you choose healthy or indulgent, you will be pleasantly satisfied with the little twist they add to everything.
Every time a new hotel opens in Cape Town, we ask ourselves: what will set this one apart from the countless other hotels?
With The Marly it’s easy ... they have managed to combine glamour and style with seaside comfort. It’s not difficult to see that this little hotel is going to make big strides in Cape Town. - IOL
If You Go...
The Marly Boutique Hotel situated on the Camps Bay beach, Cape Town
Visit www.themarly.co.za for online bookings and more info
The hotel hotel is currently running a package - pay for two nights and stay for three nights (valid May1 - September 30, 2014)