Tintswalo’s newest (and dare we say most beautiful) Cape Town boutique hotel
Originally established in 1904, the iconic Glencairn Southern Right Hotel was a celebrated landmark of coastal elegance, a meeting place for dignitaries and notable public figures. Sadly, over the decades, the hotel fell into disrepair and lost its former grandeur. In 2014 Tintswalo bought the historic building, operating it as a restaurant only, while researching and planning the full restoration.
Now, following meticulous renovation and design, the historic hotel has been reimagined as a luxurious seaside retreat that honours its heritage and embraces contemporary sophistication.
And Tintswalo Summer House is magnificent! With sweeping views over False Bay, there is just one glorious, luxurious detail after another.
There’s a sunshine-filled breakfast room with water feature, the Tini Martini Bar, a comfy lounge with sink-into-me sofas and colourful little corners where you can relax with afternoon tea. And then there’s the most sublime swimming pool and sun deck where we could happily spend days doing nothing.
The Sports bar, with black and white chequered floors, an antique fireplace and timber bar counter, is a popular spot for locals to meet and enjoy a casual meal … classic fish and chips, a burger, or the signature prawn roll.
The restaurant, Summer House Eatery, is posh, but not stuffy. On one side, the sea. On the other, a wall of antique dinner plates. And in between, the spectacle of the chefs doing their thing at the open fire, searing fish like yellow tail, or aubergines for the veggie lovers, or cuts like rosemary lamb rump which is sliced and served on a hot cast iron pan. Inspired by the charm of a French Bistro, Summer House Eatery is all freshly shucked Saldanha bay oysters served with passion fruit pulp and cracked black pepper, large pots of classic moules-frites, simply prepared with white wine, onion, garlic, green chilli and extra virgin olive oil and the blissful, freshly baked madeleines with lemon curd to end the meal. Heaven.
And talking heaven. The rooms! Honouring the classic features of the original hotel, no two rooms are alike. Each of the dozen rooms are whimsically named in a nod to their distinctive personality and colour palette.
So it’s all blush pink in Rosie, cheerful yellow in the Citron room, lush greens in Verdant. There are four room categories … Some with sea views, others overlooking the pool, thoughtful details throughout.
Talking thoughtful touches … besides a full and utterly delicious breakfast, guests are also served complimentary sunset cocktails and canapés, and there’s a daily tea ritual with the tea sommelier.
There’s plenty to do and explore in the area … but honestly, we’d have to be dragged out … it’s just an extraordinarily beautiful place to stay!
Rates include breakfast, a bottle of wine on arrival, sunset canapés and cocktails. Adults only – unless the hotel is booked out on an exclusive-use basis. High season rates from R5000 per room a night, but there are always specials worth exploring.
Details: tintswalo.com
