Share

Urban chic and indulgent opulence: 15 on Orange

Is there anything nicer than getting invited to spend an evening in a fancy hotel?

Not in my world, which is why I jumped at the chance to go and check out African Pride’s 15 on Orange in Cape Town’s popular Gardens. Nestled between Orange Street and the Company Gardens, it’s a stone’s throw away from trendy Kloof and Long Streets and less than 10 minutes to the beach if you’re traveling by car.

But with the rooftop pool (yes, it’s heated), new, gorgeous spa, the luxurious bar and restaurant as part of the package, you really wouldn’t want or need to leave the hotel.

The restaurant, Savour, really impressed me. I’ve stayed in many hotels and I’ve been disappointed with as many hotel restaurants. Even the Nellie let me down the other night with a steak that tasted like the chef was drunk and blindfolded. Not so with Savour.



Chef Sanel Esterhuize’s creations were sent from the kitchen one by one… Perfectly piquant steak tartare, melt-in-your-mouth carpaccio, rich and heady gorgonzola and walnut gnocchi, French fries with parmesan and truffle… I could go on but I’m making myself too hungry, so let’s move on to the bar.  

I really don’t know why that bar isn’t bursting from its seams every weekend. The opulent, theatrical décor, all in rich purples and vibrant silver kind of made me think of an extremely wealthy Russian gangster’s pad. In fact the entire hotel is such a fabulous mixture of extreme chic and over the top opulence that it feels almost tongue in cheek.

The room I stayed in was pure comfortable elegance – roomy and airy with bespoke art and furnishings with exquisite attention to detail – it had all the trimmings: thick luscious carpets, gorgeous linen, a lavish oversized bath complete with crystal wall, and clever mood lighting.



And when you’ve overdosed on opulence, you can always end your evening in a more traditional way: in a comfortable oversized bed watching satellite TV until you nod off in comfort.

Another highlight of the experience is the spa, long and luxurious massages and facials are on offer, and the expert staff use top quality products to pamper you to a state of bliss. I opted for the full body massage and my partner in crime had a facial.

At first, I was a bit worried about the music (an eclectic mix of unidentifiable world music), but when I got into it and allowed relaxation to take top priority it was pretty transcendental. Besides, my therapist’s strong, clever hands didn’t allow me to think of much else.

All in all, if you live in Cape Town and need a great night out, or if you visit the Mother City and you want the best that city life has to offer, try 15 on Orange. You won’t be disappointed.

Follow Women24 on Twitter.
We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE