The Westcliff | WhaleTales Blog by Chris von Ulmenstein

The latest Condé Nast Traveler 2012 Readers’ Choice Awards lists seven Cape Town hotels in its list of Top 20 hotels in Africa, four of them ranking in the top five of this list, making it the city with the best accommodation on our continent, according to close to 30000 readers of this prestige travel magazine.

In Cape Town the hotels that made the Top 20 in Africa list are:

* Steenberg Hotel, listed as the top hotel in Africa, and joint 42nd on the world 100 list (above)

* The Cape Grace, at number 3

* The Twelve Apostles Hotel at number 4

* The Table Bay Hotel, at number 5

* The Westin Grand, at number 10

* The Victoria & Alfred Hotel, at number 13 (interesting that it is a 4-star hotel, the others all being 5-star)

* The Mount Nelson Hotel, at number 17

The Saxon (number 2), Le Quartier Français (number 18), and The Westcliff (number 20) were other South African hotels on the Top 20 Africa list, our country’s hotels contributing to half the list, a fantastic accolade to its world class quality and standards.

A Top 35 Resort List for Africa is also provided, and the eleven South African properties on this list are Safari Lodges at Phinda Private Game Reserve (joint 1st place in Africa and joint 3rd place on world 100 list), Londolozi (joint 5th in Africa and joint 26th on world 100 list), Singita Sabi Sand (joint 5th in Africa and joint 26th on world 100 list), Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve (7th in Africa and joint 29th in the world 100 list), Mala Mala Game Reserve (8th in Africa, and joint 93rd in the world 100 list), Le Franschhoek Hotel & Spa (9th in Africa, and 99th on the world 100 list), Singita (16th), Lion Sands (17th), Shamwari Game Lodges (28th), Palace of the Lost City (31st), and the One&Only Cape Town (joint 32nd).

One of the exciting lists to be seen on is the Condé Nast Hot List, featuring hotels bubbling under, and three Cape hotels (the only ones from South Africa) made it on this list, two being from the Winelands: Babylonstoren on the road linking Klapmuts and Franschhoek, with the Top 20 Eat Out Restaurant Award finalist restaurant Babel; the Delaire Graff boutique hotel in the Helshoogte Pass; and POD, a boutique hotel in Camps Bay.

Chris von Ulmenstein, Whale Cottage Portfolio: www.whalecottage.com Twitter:@WhaleCottage

The 2010 Eat Out magazine lists five pages of “10 of the best….” restaurants, many of these not being on the top 10 restaurant list.

The best restaurant sommelier list includes The Atlantic Grill, Azure, Catharina’s, Delaire Graff (interesting that the restaurant is included, only being 6 months old), Hartford House, Jardine, Ritrovo, Roots, Rust en Vrede and Signal.

The 10 best cheese platters are to be found, amongst others, at Caveau, Cotage Fromage, Hartford House, Mosaic, The Saxony and Zacharay’s.

The 10 best bathroom list includes Catharina’s, Grand Provence, maze, and Roots. Missing from this list, it is believed, is the bathrooms of Delaire Graff, the cleanest and best smelling cloakrooms ever experienced.

Best value for money restaurants include Bellini’s, Sinn’s, Societi Bistro, and Pronto.

Some of the best bread boards are to be found at Cape Atlantic at the Table Bay Hotel, The Food Barn, Ile de Pain, Jardine, Manna, maze, Reuben’s, and The Saxon.

The top desserts are the Grand Marnier souffle at The Green House, the ginger and pistachio cake at La Petite Ferme, the chocolate mousse at Overture, and the strawberry vacherin at Terroir.

The best service comes from Rust en Vrede, Auberge Michel, Aubergine, Grande Provence, Cape Colony, Fyndraai, Mosaic, and Roots, amongst others.

The best tea and cake are served at the Mount Nelson, Cape Grace, Myatt, The Cellars Hohenhort, The Saxon, The Westcliff, The Twelve Apostles and the Vista Bar.

The restaurants with the best view include Buitenverwachting, Delaire Graff, Dieu Donne, Harbour House, La Vierge, Overture, Salt, and Tokara.

The best coffees are served at Doppio Zero, Miss K, and Ritrovo. The best winelists and cellars include the following restaurants: Buitenverwachting, The Greenhouse, Linger Longer, maze, Mosaic, Ritrovo, Roots, Sands at The Plettenberg, and Zachary’s.

The “restaurants that buzz” include Caveau, Olympia Cafe’ and Pronto.

Chris von Ulmenstein, Whale Cottage Portfolio: www.whalecottage.com