When you think about Cape Town, Table Mountain is no doubt one of the first landmarks that comes to mind. Perhaps the city's stunning and vast sandy beaches, too, or the world famous vineyards and iconic penguins roaming Boulders Beach.
What may not be on the top of your radar, or at least wasn't initially on mine, is the V&A Waterfront. But while it may not be an universally renowned member of the city's top hotspots list (let's be honest, it's got some stiff competition), the V&A Waterfront is actually one of Africa's most visited destinations with almost 24 million people ascending on the mixed-use suburb annually.
A modest 300 acres and bursting with over 450 retail shops and 80 restaurants, as well as the Two Oceans Aquarium, the oldest working harbour in the Southern Hemisphere and upmarket residential apartments - including homes that apparently belonging to Elton John, Madonna and David Beckham, but who are we to gossip? - it's giving hectic. Right?
Wrong. Well, if you're staying at One&Only, then wrong. Because, despite being situated in one of the busiest tourist destinations the country has to offer, just one hour spent inside the hotel with its floor to ceiling windows and fringed by palm trees is enough to convince you that you are, in fact, on your own paradise island. If it weren't for the Table Mountain views around every corner, of course.
An enormous seven-storey building comprising 131 rooms and suites (including a four-bedroom penthouse) and an impossibly vast entrance lobby spilling into the Vista Bar & Lounge, there's nothing shy and retiring about this hotel. Luckily, sitting in the imposing shadow of said flat-topped mountain, it would be impossible for anything to feel oversized.
Inside the bedrooms, warm lighting and earthy colour schemes are complemented by thoughtful textures and organic materials, while the en suite's egg-shaped free-standing bath was particularly welcome after a day spent stomping up Table Mountain. Although, I have to admit, the view from the room's balcony - directly of the mountain itself - is just as exquisite as that at the summit, so there'd be no shame in deciding to save your legs and pouring yourself a drink.
Of course, having worked up an appetite and with Africa's one and only Nobu situated just downstairs within the hotel itself, there was only one thing for it; a beef toban yaki with my name on it. I may have a shellfish allergy and an aversion to practically anything from the ocean, but even I struggle to resist a Nobu.
My husband, on the other hand, who would happily live off nothing but seafood, assures me the black cod miso and tempura shrimp were among the best things he ate throughout the entire trip. The waitstaff were equally exceptional, matching the expert professionalism and familiar friendliness of the rest of the hotel's in-house team.
The Vista Bar & Lounge boasts a delicious, fresh menu of predominantly plant-based dishes, while Isola's poolside menu serves up the most incredible harissa chicken gyro that I've not gone a day without thinking about since.
Whether it was the gyro itself or the few hours spent sprawled on a lounger eating it as I overlooked the enormous pool strewn with tall palms and leafy trees that I'm particularly nostalgic about I'm not quite sure, but rest assured that I'd repeat the afternoon, and my lunch order, every day if I could.
Found on its own island across the bridge from the main building, the pool sits alongside the hotel's next-level spa whose signature Table Mountain Tonic treatment and One&Only Inner Calm Massage are worth booking in as soon as you arrive.
And maybe again before you leave, if you can bear to tear yourself away from the pool for long enough.
Prices start at £749/night and direct flights are available from London Gatwick and Heathrow.
For more from Glamour UK's Fashion Editor Charlie Teather, follow her on Instagram @charlieteather.
