Tooth cavities and hyperglycaemia be damned; you just can't beat Liquorice Allsorts. Whether I'm gasping for air atop some far-flung mountain or scoffing a handful for extra energy on a long road-trip, that colourful packet of ecstasy with E-numbers is my panacea for all ills; real or imagined.
Forrest Gump might have thought that life is like a box of chocolates, but I've found a hotel that's like a packet of Liquorice Allsorts; multi-coloured, irresistible and a well-deserved treat after a hard week at the keyboard coal-face. Yes, Hout Bay Manor had me at 'hello' with their free-for-all bowls of liquorice treats.
Like Hansel & Gretel stumbling on a fantastical gingerbread house deep in the forest, the wooded valleys of Hout Bay seemed a fitting spot to discover the only five-star hotel in this picturesque corner of the peninsula.
Unlike the characters in the tale by the Brothers Grimm though, there was no witch waiting at the door of Hout Bay Manor one drizzly Friday night. Rather the friendly face of Hotel Manager Claudia Mueller who, with her husband Alexander, run the hotel with friendly German efficiency.
The Manor was built in 1871 by one Jacob Trautmann, and was a popular destination for Victorian honeymooners… who probably had to endure a day's wagon ride to get there! Things have changed a little since Jacob packed his bags though.
Just 20 minutes from the city centre, and half that to the Constantia wine lands or the glamorous beaches of the Atlantic Seaboard, Hout Bay Manor is now an ideal spot for a quick weekend getaway without battling the freeways and blowing your budget on petrol.
But back to those Liquorice Allsorts.
When Sue Strüngmann took over the hotel in 2006 she decided it was time for a facelift. Out went the heavy-pile carpets and dowdy rooms, and in came a blaze of vibrant African décor.
Strüngmann describes her colourful collection of decor and art as 'a jewellery box of gems', but to me it's more a Wonka-esque walk-in-packet of liquorice allsorts. Forget Hansel locked in his cage, at the colourful Hout Bay Manor you'll feel like more like Charlie given the run of the Chocolate Factory.
Like all historic hotels though, you can still feel the history of the place and eyes follow you everywhere. A papier-mâché rhino stares blindly down the hallway, historic photographs peer out from tumble-down frames and African statues stand guard at the bedroom door.
And what a bedroom it is.
The hotel's 21 rooms revel in all things continental, from Xhosa-print curtains to a colonial-style free-standing bath. Sleek modern fittings sit contrast the Zulu head-dresses; both reflected in the crystals of a decadent chandelier. It's not all glitz and glam though… the rooms have a playful touch, with a pot of paints tucked in the drawer and a rubber duck (beaded, for an African touch) simply begging for a bath-mate.
But it's not the duck you'll want to be bathing with. This is the place for romantic escapism, from the outdoor shower in the 'Sotho' room to testing out the four-poster beds.
While the hotel is attracting the city's young and beautiful, the Hout Bay Manor is without doubt a grand dame who's seen it all and been dolled up for one last romantic fling.
As I pocket a last stolen handful of allsorts on my way out, I think to myself: "Who says you shouldn't accept sweets from grand old ladies?"
IF YOU GO…
Where it is: Hout Bay, Cape Town
Why go there: Apart from the free Allsorts? It's the perfect base for a few days in Cape Town – close to scenic beaches, great restaurants and the award-winning vineyards in Constantia. You won't find a more stylish hotel in the valley.
What it offers: 21 decadent rooms tucked quietly off the main drag towards Chapman's Peak Drive. The Sangoma Suite is ideal for families, or ask for a room with mountain views. Wi-fi, zillion-count linen, plasma satellite televisions and all the usual mod-cons are served up with a healthy dollop of style and character. You can walk to the beach, or there's a courtyard pool for lazy days when the South-Easter blows.
What it's like: An unexpected pleasure, really. Hout Bay is better known for its horsey-set mansions and sprawling township, so a stylish boutique hotel in this once-woody corner of the Cape is a boon. Friendly service and skilled barmen are a particular treat.
And the food: The restaurant 'Pure', under the skillet of Executive Chef Alexander Mueller, is making waves in the pernickety Cape Town dining scene. This stylish spot is not cheap, but for a menu including Foie Gras and Crayfish you get what you pay for. Extensive wine-list has an excellent range of Cape vintages.
What there is to see on the way: Everything the Mother City has to offer: shopping to the north, wine to the east, sundowners to the west and some of the best beaches in the country down south. Cape Point is just 30 minutes away.
Rates: From R1190 – R3800 per room until 31 October, and R1550 – R4950 from 1 November to 30 April 2009.
Getting there: Follow Rhodes Avenue (M63) to Constantia Nek, across the traffic circle and down into Hout Bay. Turn left off Main Road into Baviaanskloof Road. The hotel will be on your left.
Contact: Telephone 021-790-0116 or email
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. Visit www.houtbaymanor.com to find out more.
» Published in the Sunday Times, 7 September 2008
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