Cape Town is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. I’ve long heard this statement and have been chomping at the bit to unpack this beauty myself.
Last weekend, I finally got the opportunity to fully experience and appreciate the Cape during the opening of Tsogo Sun’s two economy hotels, the SunSquare Cape Town City Bowl and StayEasy Cape Town City Bowl. Over my two-day stay at the SunSquare I not only got to enjoy the hotel’s charm, but that of the city.
It’s a hotel that appeals to the younger market looking for an affordable stay but who also want to enjoy a great experience within the city and have easy access to landmarks such as the V&A Waterfront, Table Mountain and the vibrant Bree Street.
I got to enjoy a few of the amazing eateries and night spots around the hotel. Its central location made it easy to move around between restaurants and amazing locations such as the towering Lion’s Head. The hike up the mountain and the amazing pictures I got to take at its summit were among my highlight moments.
In attendance at the launch party of these hotels were national, provincial and municipal dignitaries including the Department of Tourism director-general Victor Tharage, mayor Patricia de Lille, Western Cape Premier Helen Zille and the evening’s celebrity was the MC, Siv Ngesi.
The development, which cost R700million, incorporates the SunSquare’s 202 bedrooms and StayEasy’s 302 bedrooms.
As guests enjoyed champagne and some delicious food inside the hotel, I pulled Tsogo Sun chief executive Jacques Booysen aside to get the inside story on his new property.
A smile planted on his face, he spoke of how he found it special to see how the community rallied around the new development. He also touched on what made it so special.
With its panoramic view of the city, the rooftop bar deck is just the place for cocktails at dusk.
“If you look at the Cape Town inner city where we are now, most of the big hotels are five- and four-star. So for somebody who wants to travel to the Mother City and have a stylish but affordable experience, there’s nothing at the moment. And this is what we provide, stylish, but affordable.”
The 14-storey SunSquare hotel has much to offer. The pool deck at the top offers a magnificent panoramic view of the city and its mountainous backdrop. I spent a fair share of my time taking selfies here. My hotel room was elegant and spacious, and I loved the chic design of the bathroom.
The SunSquare hotel also consists of a spacious fitness centre with glass windows overlooking parts of Cape Town’s inner city. Other features include five banqueting and conference venues and a trendy casual dining offering.
I found the breakfast buffet limiting but still satisfactory. In addition to Tsogo Sun’s traditional Vigour & Verve restaurants, the hotel has its own unique restaurant.
This hotel features authentic specialities from the region such as uitpak slaai, a layered salad with bacon, cheese and soft egg; pickled fish, a local classic served with mosbolletjie bread; traditional Cape Malay lamb bobotie, with braised minced lamb, fragrant spices, yellow rice, and sambals; a vegetarian Cape Malay bobotie option; wood-fired peri-peri chicken featuring Portuguese and African flavours; classic fish and chips; butter chicken, with rice, roti, and sambals and lamb shank, slow roasted ouma’s way, with rosemary mash and citrus gremolata.
The SunSquare is an amazing addition to Tsogo Sun’s growing and diverse portfolio of hotels. The establishment is more affordable and it takes care of all the necessities without compromising on much. The perfect balance.