Some hotels impress. Others endure. Cape Grace is the latter—a place where time slows, where history hums beneath the surface, and where every detail has been touched by something greater than design alone.
Perched on the V&A Waterfront, framed by the shifting moods of Table Mountain, Cape Grace is both sanctuary and stage. For decades, its corridors have carried the echoes of travellers who arrived as guests and left as part of its story. Under the stewardship of Leon Meyer, this iconic hotel has not only honoured its past but refined it, breathing new life into a legacy that continues to unfold.
And at the heart of it all—the art, the people, and the stories they tell.
The Hands That Hold Cape Grace Together
For the people who make Cape Grace what it is, this is more than a workplace. It is an extension of themselves.
“When we greet each other, we say ‘Welcome Home’—because that’s what this place feels like,” says Elri Steenkamp, Digital Marketing Manager. “It’s not just walls and hallways. It’s moments. It’s the small things, the gestures that mean everything.”
That sentiment is woven into every interaction. Linda Taki, F&B Floor Manager, describes how the team shares an unspoken understanding of what true hospitality is. “It’s not rehearsed. We don’t just deliver service—we anticipate need. It’s organic, because we care.”
Sometimes, those moments are profound in their simplicity. A housekeeper noticing loose photographs on a guest’s dresser and arranging to have them framed. A driver overhearing a birthday mention and ensuring a bouquet is waiting upon arrival. These are not acts of duty, but expressions of something far greater.
A Suite That Captures the Soul of Cape Grace
Unveiled in 2024 as the pinnacle of the hotel’s transformation, the Cape Grace Suite is more than a residence. It is a living gallery, a private sanctuary, a tribute to everything Cape Grace embodies.
With sweeping 360-degree views of Table Mountain and the marina, the suite was designed for those who seek Cape Town’s finest offerings in absolute privacy. It is expansive yet intimate, refined yet deeply personal. French doors flood the space with light, leading to a terrace where the city unfolds at your feet. Within, carefully selected works from South Africa’s most compelling contemporary artists infuse every corner with depth and meaning.
“There are hotels, and then there are places that belong to a city,” reflects Stacy van der Merwe, Senior Front Office Manager. “This suite is Cape Grace in its purest form. It isn’t just about luxury—it’s about stepping into something rare.”
Curated by Lezanne van Heerden, the suite’s art collection is a love letter to South African creativity. Works by Benjamin Stanwix, Cathy Abraham, and Chantell Lungiswa Joe reflect the textures and narratives of a country constantly reinventing itself. Emerging artists find their place here too, ensuring that Cape Grace remains a window for the world to see South African artistry at its finest.
Beyond aesthetics, the suite is designed for indulgence. From private butler service and in-suite check-in to curated whisky and wine tastings, every moment is tailored to the guest.
Art as a Conversation Between Time and Place
Art at Cape Grace is not an afterthought. It is woven into the fabric of the experience, whispering stories that only reveal themselves to those who pause to listen.
For Elri Steenkamp, one piece in particular stays with her—Finding the Light by Leila Abrahams. Crafted from medical gel capsules and thread, it is a study in resilience, in unseen battles, in the beauty of perseverance. “It reminds me that we never know what burdens someone is carrying. It is a quiet call to kindness.”
In the Library Lounge, history sits on every shelf, but for Linda Taki, the salvaged books and prints from the original Cape Grace hold something more. “They are echoes of the past, reminders that legacy is not something we look at—it’s something we carry forward.”
For Thandiswa Sitofile, Front Office Supervisor, the piece that speaks to her most is Pleasure Has Made Me More Resilient, Regardless by Talia Ramkilawan. “It is textured, layered—like memory. It makes me think of those who came before, of the quiet strength in healing.”
Even in the reception area, art is more than an introduction—it is a feeling. Sunrise and Sunset by Galia Gluckman stretch across the space in shifting hues, a reflection of time itself. “I catch myself just standing there sometimes,” admits Stacy van der Merwe. “They remind me to pause, to take in the moment.”
Cape Grace does not just display art—it curates experience. It gives local artists the rare gift of an international audience while offering guests a glimpse into the soul of South Africa.
A Place That Lives Beyond Its Walls
Cape Grace is not defined by its history alone, nor by the transformations it has undergone. It is defined by the people who make it what it is, the stories that unfold within it, and the experiences that stay with those who visit.
Leon Meyer has not simply maintained the spirit of Cape Grace; he has enriched it. Through his leadership, the hotel continues to set the standard for true hospitality, which should be effortless, deeply personal, and woven into every interaction.
And for those who pass through its doors, whether for a night or a lifetime, Cape Grace is not just a place to stay. It is a place to feel, to connect, and to return to, again and again.
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