I sauntered in on Friday afternoon wearied of the work week, and was welcomed with a cool towel, a colder Mimosa, and a warm smile. The décor in the atrium is luxe. The monochromatic canvas of the walls is enlivened with accents of deep purple and tremendous pots of greenery. Clean and modern lines are juxtaposed with a grand spiral staircase, plush textures and dangling crystal chandeliers.
I stayed in a Premium Room on the second floor, and it was a thing of beauty. A chandelier hung above the king-sized bed clothed in crisp white cotton, and the view of Table Mountain was easily accessed from my personal wrap-around balcony. The open-plan bathroom housed a mammoth shower and bath, and was completed with details like a heated towel-rack, Charlotte Rhys bath products, and a comfy gown and slippers. Other room amenities included:
Dash Restaurant & Bar, the hotel's fine dining offering located on the ground floor, will satisfy any culinary craving you may harbor. The continental breakfast spread includes various pastries, cured meats, fresh fruit, muffins and cheeses, and deluxe smoothies that are easy on both the eye and palate. There is also a hot a la carte menu. I had the Forum - a vegetarian eggs Benedict bathed in the silkiest herb hollandaise. Meals can be enjoyed either inside the restaurant or on the terrace.
Dinner is a grand affair at Dash, with live music filtering through the air and Pomegranate Martinis whirling around the room. Chef Sam and her team execute meals that are thoughtfully conceptualised, expertly prepared, and artfully plated. I devoured the tempura prawns, pickled vegetables and sesame emulsion for the starter, and the oh-so-tender pan-fried venison loin, parsley mash and carrot purée for my main. Their deliciously gooey-centred hot chocolate fondant with orange ice cream and sugar brittle is worth all the hype.
The prime location of The Queen V - as I've affectionately named it - provides access to a number of exciting activities. The hotel's travel consultancy and information service will assist you in planning your outings, and arrange transfers to get you there safely. I went on a few excursions that I can highly recommend, and your Instagram feed will thank you for it:
No indulgent weekend away is complete without a spa treatment or two. Sanctuary Spa, the designer beauty spa shared between the Newmark Hotels in the vicinity, is small and intimate. I prefer this, as a crowded changing room can be slightly intimidating. After instructing me to deeply inhale some essential oils, the therapist performed a 60-minute full body Swedish massage that left me feeling delightfully drowsy. I appreciated the fact that she didn't attempt to forcefully sell me any products afterwards, as is common in some spas and can detract from the experience.
The sheer beauty of the hotel and its surroundings coupled with unswerving stellar service from the staff resulted in a heavy heart when I checked out on Sunday. Unless you're a part of the 'one percenters' you're not going to find the Queen Victoria Hotel to be a cheap getaway, but it's not supposed to be. Its unapologetic opulence is the reason why going there is such a treat. And after working 50-hour weeks, putting others first for the umpteenth time and dealing with all of life's admin, it's self-indulgence that you deserve.
For more information and to book your stay visit www.newmarkhotels.com
