Recently our little family was invited to visit the Radisson Blu in Cape Town. We usually like to get out of town, and staycations are always a bit... awkward. I mean, our home is a ten minute drive from the hotel, so I didn't expect to feel like we were really 'away' or that I'd get that relaxed, 'Getaway' vibe. Hotels are sometimes quite cold, cramped or impersonal, so we're usually more drawn to cozy B n B's or cottages. However. When you enter The Radisson Blu it's like stepping in to an Ibiza with ocean and harbour views, seagulls blustering about and groups of other festive patrons all around you. The water sport activity was incredible with jet skis, speedboat races, yachts and ships providing loads of languid viewing. The staff is incredible, and the 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom suite is almost as big as our house. The spa with indoor heated pool, the gym overlooking the harbour with private classes and instructors, the sauna, the beauticians and maseusses, the heated outdoor pool that falls in to the ocean. The pool boys with fresh, soft towels and trays filled with cocktails. The restaurant, breakfast buffets, wrap around ocean view balcony - I'm going to try sum up The Radisson in five easy, breathtaking and spectacular points. Here we go.
1. The views. Our room had a wrap-around private balcony. This overlooked the ocean, harbour, pool, deck, restaurant, jetty, peer, ships, boats and yachts. The balcony is kitted with sun loungers, towels and a little table & chair set for sundowners, tanning or your morning coffee / breakfast. No matter where you are at The Radisson, you are spoilt with an incredible view. The boys even spotted some dolphins and loved watching the speedboats and water traffic.
2. The Restaurant, Tobago's has a great vibe, more fantastic views and excellent service. There are couch areas for snacks and drinks, and standard seating for diners - hotel residents or outside guests. The atmosphere is vibrant and festive. The food is great and the wine list extensive. They have everything from beautifully presented salads, kids meals, prawns, burgers, curries and amazing (amazing) snack platters. There IS room to put some sushi on the menu and healthier meal options for kids (hint hint Radisson).
The menu is more expensive if compared to a local franchise restaurant (which this is not) so you're looking at about R90 - R180 a meal. I had the most amazing Bacon, Smoked Duck, Avo and Mozarella Salad and Graeme had the Curry which were both delicious and beautifully presented. At dinner we tucked in to the Buffet which had everything from freshly baked pies, sirloin steak, pickled fish, oysters, salad tables, fine cheeses, dessert buffets, roasted vegetables, more curries, roasts, potjies - a really wonderful mix of South African dishes and some familiarity for international guests.
The Breakfast Buffet was by far my FAVOURITE (always is) and I especially loved that they made the boys little cinnamon wholewheat crumpets with honey. I love fruit and pastries, so let's just say I went back with my plate more times than I should have. I regret nothing. The restaurant is a GREAT place to take someone special for a fancy, ocean view lunch, sundowners or fancy dinner. When I say "ocean view", I don't mean "oh look at the pretty ocean in the distance" I mean "careful you might actually fall in to the ocean." It is SO beautiful.
3. It's Family Friendly. When we entered our suite, the boys' beds were kitted out with coloring pages, crayons and play-dough. This made SUCH a difference. Graeme and I had our hands free for a few minutes to explore, unpack and settle in without two super excited little boys running around (yet). Sometimes it's also a bit scary for little kids to be in an unfamiliar environment away from all their security and favourite things. The main bathroom had Spider-Man bubble bath, wash cloths and little rubber duckies for the boys. They were SO excited. This is a feature that they've just launched at The Radisson and I love it. No matter how fancy pants they are, there is always a bit of room for some Spider-Man bubble bath, right? The restaurant also had playthings for the kids, and between swims at the pool, the attendant happily brought Noah some paper and a pen when he asked. Some hotels are a bit snooty about kids (and some don't allow kids under 12 at ALL) but The Radisson is proudly family friendly.
After dinner we went back up to our room and they'd placed little mini kiddies bath robes (the CUTEST) on their beds and they'd printed out bed time stories and left cookies and hot chocolate at their beds. The boys felt so, so special. They also had a little flat screen TV in their room, and passed out within minutes - half eaten cookies still in their little hands. They were really comfortable and happy. This gave mom & dad a little time to sit on our balcony, put some soft music on and enjoy a bottle of our favourite wine while watching the harbour lights. It was really just magical - we all had a great time.
4. The Rooms. We really loved just hanging out in our suite for most of the time. It was so stylish and spacious with great views. Usually you try get OUT of your hotel room because it's cramped or doesn't have a good vibe, but we loved being there. The rooms are decorated in great taste and everything is super fancy and luxurious. I managed to squeeze in two looooong, hot bubbly baths and we enjoyed a movie on the couch and lots of "staring at the ocean" time. You really get to enjoy the room that you paid for and not rush in and out all the time. Also: room service and free, fast WiFi. I didn't want to leave. View all the room options here.
5. The Activities. While there really is no need to leave The Radisson at all, they are happy to get involved and help you plan some great activities for your family. We chose to do the City Sightseeing Bus which we all loved. We were also meant to go to the Two Oceans Aquarium but the boys were so happy at the hotel that we decided to stay on a bit longer!
The Radisson has Amani Spa that does everything from pedicures to facials to treatments. They have a sauna, indoor heated pool and massage rooms too. There is also an indoor gym with classes like pilates, yoga etc. They have treadmills overlooking the ocean and I totally would have gone for a little workout if I'd known to take my gear along. JUST KIDDING. I would have been at the buffet.
The Radisson also has a shuttle that does free trips to the V&A Waterfront every hour until 11pm. We took the boys for a ride on the Big Wheel and an ice cream cone and... maybe bought a few nice things at the shops. My credit card hates me and my wardrobe wishes that I went for that workout after all. Really, there is loads to do within a 2km radius of The Radisson if you're keen on exploring the city. The City Sightseeing Bus also goes to the Constantia Winelands for some tasting and Hout Bay for the market, World of Birds and in to town to the Company Gardens to feed the squirrels or Camps Bay for a play on the beach or even to Table Mountain. You actually have too many options. Good luck with that. View their exact location and suggested activities (including a trip on their very own Catamaran) here.
We had a really great time at Radisson Blu and you will too. Hop on to their website for more details on rates, availability, special deals and for reservations. You're going to LOVE it!
Luccky you - looks fabulous!
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