TRIP REPORT SOUTH AFRICA
WINTER 2012 (summer southern Hemisphere)
Part 1: JFK-YUL-AMS
Part 2: AMS-CPT
Part 3: Pepper Club Hotel & Spa
Part 4: Pepper club Hotel & Spa part II
Part 5: Cape Town
Part 6: CPT-JNB BA/Comair
part 7: JNB AirFrance Lounge/KLM JNB-AMS
part 8: AMS crown Lounge/KLM AMS-JFK
Greeted by a friendly Driver from the PepperClub Hotel and Spa he escorted me to the awaiting BMW out in the cool breezy 66F weather, this was heaven. He apologized for the breezy weather! You kidding, I just came from a Northern winter, I was glad not to be wearing a coat let alone can't wait to get into shorts.
20mins on a quite highway to the hotel in the BMW I was gleaming with excitement, especially since I could barely see anything in a hard night sky.
Pepper Club
Arrival at the hotel at around approx.10:40pm, I was greeted by the hotel doorman and offered a seat at the reception. Quick photocopy of my passport and key in hand it was up to the 11th floor. I wanted to venture out but I was also exhausted and wanted to sleep.
Reception desk
lounge area
lounge area
Elevator - whole lot of red (lift)
Walking into my room I was pleasantly surprised. To my immediate left was a frosted glass door for the toilet with a vanity mirror and sink, to my immediate right frosted class door for the closet which was lit up inside. In front of me a long hallway (for a hotel room) to the bedroom. As you walk in, to your right is a kitchenette with hotplates, oven, bar fridge and in the cupboards a dual toaster, microwave, and on the table a cappuccino machine - awesome!
A large king size bed, seating area and glass door to a large deck that surprisingly had no outdoor furniture. So of course what does one do, look over the other balconies to see if there was any furniture..nothing. Very odd! As I looked down, the streets were alive with young 20 somethings having a midweek night out and about. The energy soared up to me and brought a smile to my face.
Turning back into the room a large frosted door for the bathroom across from the bed that looked quite inviting. A large deep tub fit for a 6 foot man and my favorite item, a rain shower. I seriously need to get a rain show in my apartment. In fact every time I shower at home I almost cry knowing how incredible rain showers are and the exuberant life in hotels, well 5 star ones at least, sorry Hilton lol and to think of the miserable water pressure of my New York City apartment.
A nice array of toiletries by Charlotte Rhys Cape Town on display on the vanity. This room was indeed wonderful and to boot awesome soft lighting to make anyone from a long haul flight look like a Fitness Magazine model..ok maybe just look good against the soft lighting, ha.
Entrance to the room 1114
bedroom view from outside in
double door out to the large deck no furniture
Bedroom view out
bathroom
rain shower
view out bathroom
deep gorgeous bathtub
view from the room
awesome cappuccino machine
Since I was in a delightful mood, I decided to venture out into the streets to check out the vibe. It reminded me of Sydney, Australia or perhaps the northern beaches of Sydney. It definitely had a familiar feel to it. Lots of young men and women in shorts, tank tops and flip flops. Perhaps I was a little over dressed in khaki's and a ralph Lauren polo. Nevertheless I was intent on having a good time in Cape Town, but moments later my pushing late 30's body didn't agree with my 20 something brain and immediately headed back to the hotel to crash.
BTW note to everyone, South Africa has completely different outlets than rest of Africa. I bought an adapter and even asked for the right one for South Africa, and of course what would the Duane Reade guy know about South African Electrical outlets.(rolling eyes) So I have added a pic of what their outlets look like. Luckily there was a bedside outlet for european plugs, not adapters but plugs. I have Europe plugs for my apple products (glad I bought the international adapters for apple products) and there was one australian outlet which I used to power my laptop.
outlet
view from the pool
pool
pool
lounge area
Hotel Amenities, The hotel has nowledgable concierge staff as well as friendly bar staff, to the point of needing to say to myself chill and take it all in, perhaps this NYer is not warm enough, well not until you get several cocktails in me then, we are pals for life or at least Facebook friends, ha.
The gym has an incredible view of spectacular Table Mountain, to the point I was on the treadmill for 90mins watching the clouds spill over the mountain. There was decent equipment with free weights as well as two treadmills, bikes elliptical and weights machines. Towels and water provided as well as a 50 inch tv screen.
Luxury Car Service - I was picked up in a BMW and taken to the hotel which was around $45us but they also have private tours in the luxury cars. I found out later on my trip back to the airport, they are contractors.
The pool was cold but the views were truly spectacular, but it was just far to cold to take a dip. Towels were available as well as comfortable sun chairs. A Sauna and change rooms were also available, though I never used them.
The Spa - inviting amber scents and water with lemon incited you in. You walk through the spa reception desk to get to the pool. After looking at the list of products I was shocked how cheap facials were. In New York Facials go for $150 up and massages are in the same number. I had to make an appointment for their top facial deluxe which cost around $60us. I was taken down to a mens private shower room changed provided slippers and robe and escorted into the well scented room. The specialist was well informed and well trained not just in products, dermatology but simply customer serve with a soothing voice.
A 75min treatment and falling asleep on the bed I was woken up to her soothing voice and a bright cleansed face. She brought water though asked if I would like tea. As I left to change, I notice a selections of tea available.
Room Service is poor in choices but then there are so many restaurants outside, and a full functioning kitchen that really is no need for room service.
There is a turn down service that usually comes in around 8pm assuming you are out to dinner. My second night I had the room attend in to do turn down service. I assume it would be place water on the table, and remove the decorative pillow but she also checked the bathroom, cleaned out the trash and checked the toilet and then flushed...yikes hope I was a good boy and didn't pee on the seat or something lol
Next installment....The inclusive breakfast in the restaurant.