Property Type: Hotel
Rating: Luxury
Star Grading: * * * * *

The Taj's doors open to a precinct that includes the national and provincial parliaments, Government Avenue leading through the 350-year-old Company's Garden from St George's Cathedral, the cosmopolitan crafts of St George's Mall and Greenmarket Square and a diversity of culture, art, entertainment and cuisine.

The development is a joint-venture partnership between successful city centre property investor Eurocape and Tata's Indian Hotels Company, which owns Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces. Taj is one of Asia's largest hotel companies and for over 100 years it has been creating, enhancing and caring for landmark properties around the world. Its portfolio currently comprises some 80 hotels including 15 international hotels in the Maldives, Malaysia, the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia, the Middle East, Sri Lanka, Bhutan and now South Africa.

Rooms
The 177 rooms combine old-world quality and modern amenities. As well as the gamut of facilities that guests would expect from a leading luxury hotel such as a mini-bar, safe, voicemail and international plug sockets, standard features include high-speed wireless internet, an iPod docking station and charger, an internet-enabled television and a work station with a multi-media hub so laptops can be interfaced with the television. There is a selection of 11 room types.

These are:

• A two-bedroom, split-level Presidential Suite;
• Heritage Suites;
• A Taj Club floor combining exclusivity and convenience. This floor, with its private lounge is served by a dedicated butler team providing breakfast, evening canapés and cocktails;
• The restored historic buildings accommodate Heritage Luxury rooms with mountain and city views;
• Seventeen new floors offer a selection of one-bedroom and two-bedroom Tower Suites;
• The Tower Grande rooms provide panoramic city or mountain views;
• The Tower Luxury rooms all have walk-out balconies looking out across the City or Table Mountain;
• 24 Superior rooms complete the inventory.

Banqueting and meetings
The banqueting and meeting rooms are on the first floor of the BoE building, with its original large sash windows looking out on St George's Cathedral, the Company Gardens and the Provincial Legislature. The magnificent interiors have been restored to their original opulence, which is now complemented by state-of-the-art conferencing technology.

There are seven meeting rooms, the largest of which is able to comfortably host a meeting for 80 guests. Another can accommodate up to 50 delegates and there are three smaller function rooms. There are also two boardrooms and a fully equipped business centre.

Restaurants, bars and lounges
The Taj Cape Town has two restaurants and a seafood and champagne bar. These are Mint, the Bombay Brasserie and The Twankey.

Mint is an all-day informal restaurant offering dishes from around the world, grilled according to the traditional method in each country. It is built on three levels and bounded by an open-plan show kitchen, a floor-to-ceiling wine wall and full-length glass sliding doors giving uninhibited views of St George's Mall. Patrons can opt for the relaxed atmosphere of the contemporary interior or enjoy the sights and sounds of Cape Town at open-air tables under the trees in the Mall. The mezzanine level can be used for private dining.

The Bombay Brasserie is modelled on its namesake in London. It is a fine-dining restaurant offering authentic Indian flavours transformed into a contemporary gourmet experience. It is situated on Wale Street in the hallowed halls of the original Reserve Bank. Its elegant décor complements the classic style of the historic building. The high ceilings create a sense of space, without compromising the exclusivity and intimacy of the experience.

The Twankey is a seafood and champagne bar. It is a relaxed by sophisticated gathering place, ideal for meeting friends and enjoying a fresh seafood snack and a glass of excellent South African wine. Local bands often provide live evening entertainment. It also incorporates a coffee bar serving light meals. Leading off the magnificent lobby in the restored ground floor of the Reserve Bank are a formal lounge, cocktail bar and cigar bar.

Spa and fitness centre
The Taj Cape Town houses the only Jiva Spa in South Africa. Jiva Spas draw from Ayurveda, an ancient Indian healing tradition, to deliver a range of signature treatments, yoga and meditation. The spa includes two suites dedicated to skin, nail and beauty treatments, four generously sized massage suites, a double massage suite with a jacuzzi and an Ayuvedic consultation and treatment suite. The fitness centre offers a fully equipped Technogym, heated indoor pool, two saunas and male and female changing areas.

Sightseeing and entertainment
The Taj Cape Town is surrounded by significant historical buildings and cultural centres all within easy walking distance.

These include:

• The Company's Garden
• The Slave Lodge 
• St George's Cathedral
• The Houses of Parliament
• Adderley Street
• The National Library
• The South African Museum
• The Planetarium
• The South African National Gallery
• St George's Mall
• The Bo-Kaap

The hotel will arrange city centre walking tours and transfers to Table Mountain, Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens, beaches, the winelands and other popular Cape Town attractions.

Besides culture, history and sightseeing, the Taj Cape Town is also at the epicentre of a rejuvenated city centre, where an array of top restaurants offer a smorgasbord of local and international cuisine, nightlife abounds and shoppers can choose from international brands and African crafts.