New Attractions for the Mother City
Cape Town's captivating mix of iconic attractions is ever more compelling to international travellers.
A confluence of landscapes, cultures, and cuisine, and framed by the iconic Table Mountain, there is no place like Cape Town. Travel is a growing trend for 2017, prompting a host of new places to stay and new things to do in the Mother City.
Cape Town's V&A Waterfront receives over 20 million visitors annually.
The annual MasterCard Global Destination Cities Index (GDCI) ranks the most visited cities around the world according to spend estimates, delivering an understanding of how people travel and spend around the world. In the 2016 GDCI, Cape Town is listed one of the top nine fastest-growing destination cities in the Middle East and Africa.
The Mother City welcomed an estimated 1.37 million overnight visitors in 2016, a 6.2% increase from 2015. Visitor spend is an important source of revenue for the city's hospitality, retail, transport, sports and cultural sectors. Travellers to Cape Town in 2016 were expected to spend USD 1 billion.
Restaurants, entertainment, and shops intermingled with cultural and historical sights, iconic landmarks and world-class hotels are what make Cape Town a hub of activity.
Art & Culture
September 2017 will see the opening of a new major cultural institution focussed on collecting, preserving and exhibiting contemporary African art.
The museum, which seeks to match the status of world-famous art galleries like the Museum of Modern Art in New York and the Tate Modern in London, will be housed in the heritage-listed Silo building at the V&A Waterfront.
To honour the founding art collection, the renowned Zeitz Collection, the museum is named the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (Zeitz MOCAA).
Spanning nine floors, the Zeitz MOCAA will be the largest contemporary art gallery in Africa, comprising over 9500 square metres, of which 6000 square metres will be dedicated to exhibition space.
Considered to be the leading collection of contemporary art from Africa and its Diaspora, German-born businessman, Jochen Zeitz, will commit his collection on long-term loan, underwrite the running costs of the museum and provide a substantial acquisition budget for the procurement of new artworks over time.
The Silo Building is the new location for The Silo Hotel, the Zeitz MOCAA, and the Radisson Red Hotel.
New Cape Town Hotels
This year will see the opening of three new hotels in Cape Town - The Silo Hotel and the Radisson Red Hotel at the V&A Waterfront, and the Tsogo Sun Hotel Complex in the city centre.
Silo Hotel
Built in 1921, and at 57m tall, the Silo building is an icon of the Cape Town skyline. The building has two parts - the elevator tower and the storage silos. The Silo Hotel has been built in the elevator portion of the historic silo complex, occupying six floors above what will be the Zeitz MOCAA.
The Silo Hotel features 28 rooms, including an impressive one-bedroom penthouse. Each room has been individually designed and decorated with diverse, colourful pieces to contrast the industrial architecture. Run by the Royal Portfolio, the 5-star, 28-room Silo Hotel opened on 1 March 2017.
Radisson Red Hotel
Another addition to the "Silo District" of the V&A Waterfront is the contemporary 3-star Radisson Red Hotel. Inspired by art, culture and music, the upscale Radisson Red in Cape Town will be the first of its kind in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
Operated by the Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group and set to open in September, the Radisson Red will feature 235 guest rooms, 24/7 deli and bar, a fitness studio, rooftop pool and garden, as well as five meeting studios for business travellers.
Tsogo Sun Hotel Complex
Opening in the same month as the Radisson Red is a 500-bedroom Tsogo Sun Hotel complex in Cape Town's CBD. The complex will comprise two hotels, a 200-bedroom SunSquare and a 300-bedroom StayEasy, both offering stylish and affordable accommodation.
Also included in the hotel complex will be 300 underground parking bays, conference facilities, banqueting and casual dining facilities, and retail space.
Enjoy a wide spread of new flavours at one of the many new restaurants in Cape Town.
New Dining Delights
The Mother City started 2017 with a wide array of new restaurants and dining experiences.
La Tête in Bree Street and Ash Restaurant in Church Street follow the nose-to-tail eating philosophy. A philosophy that refers to the preparation and consumption of the whole animal as opposed to just choice parts.
La Tête, opened in November 2016, offers an artisanal bistro menu in a casual setting, while Ash Restaurant, a charcoal-cooking-themed eatery, serves contemporary food with exciting flavours.
The affluent suburb of Constantia is home to the new Chefs Warehouse at Beau Constantia Wine Farm, offering a seasonal and produce-driven menu and a signature tapas for two experience.
Bold by Brad Ball, is the latest addition to Peddlars & Co, a much-loved destination in Constantia. The menu features robust flavours, tempting cocktails and remarkable wines.
Following the hotel's revamp, renowned South African Chef, Bertus Basson, will be at the helm of the revolving restaurant at The Ritz in Sea Point. The Top of the Ritz will feature an 80-seater fine dining restaurant, a champagne bar and a cognac lounge.
Taking health food to the next level is Scheckter's RAW in Sea point. Focused on plant-based, cruelty-free and nutrient dense food, the Scheckter's RAW menu offers wholesome food made from local and internationally-sourced ingredients.
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