15 May 2019

GORGEOUS GEORGE CAPE TOWN

Gorgeous George in Cape Town is open! The paint is dry, the tiles are just attached to the wall and maybe I’m the first one to sleep under the covers in room 303. Let’s explore!

Illustrated map of Cape Town

When I arrive in the evening after a long flight, I’ll have to find the entrance. No big signs, no restaurant on the ground floor: it’s just an entrance leading you up to the hotel as everything happens on the 6th floor – and the rooms are located on the floors below. However, on the ground floor, you’ll find the check-in desk with an amazing illustrated map of Cape Town behind it. Hand-painted by Lucie de Moyencourt: on hundreds of tiles. On the other side, you’ll see a colorful painting called ‘Hide and Seek’ by Dennis Osadebe.

Design & art

It’s clear from the moment you step inside: Gorgeous George is a hotel made by people who gathered the best talents from South Africa to make the interior as striking as possible with lots of stories to tell. Tristan Plessis, from Johannesburg, was responsible for the design – he also did hotel Chapter Roma in Rome and restaurant Fyn in Cape Town. And artist David Brits hand-painted the artworks on the walls of the rooms. His grandfather was a well-known snake catcher in South Africa and the inspiration behind his Snake Man series.

The rooms

There are 32 rooms in the hotel spread-out over two buildings on St George’s Mall. I’ve stayed in the smallest room, but it is incredibly spacious with a sofa, bed, cocktail bar and bathroom. The thick green velvet curtains ensure a very dark bedroom at night and by that a very good night of sleep. Each room has a Netflix account. And in the bathroom, you can use the hand soap of Scents. If you choose a more expensive room category then you’ll have separate rooms or a free-standing bathtub, for example.

The rooftop terrace

And then we take the elevator to the sixth floor of the hotel. Basically the heart of the hotel and the place where you can find the restaurant and rooftop terrace. Here guests and locals mingle with a glass of wine or meeting friends for dinner. Don’t forget to check out the table-tops to see more of Lucie de Moyencourt’s illustrations. Have a cocktail or glass of wine or try the delicious cauliflower risotto. Anyone with a big appetite in the morning, go for the French Toast: I miss them already.

The location

The location of the hotel is very central close to the Company Gardens, but also within walking distance of all restaurants around Loop Street and Bree Street. In the evening, however, it is recommended to take an Uber – also for those smaller distances.

Check out: www.gorgeousgeorge.co.za

For more recommendations in Cape Town, check out Petite Passport Magazine #01