Westin Grand Hotel Cape Town Arabella Quays

In December 2009 we decided to live the high life and booked 2 rooms at the Westin Grand Hotel Cape Town Arabella Quays (one for us, and one for the babysitters and our toddler). The 2 standout differentiating features of the hotel are the spectactular views from the pool on the 19th floor and the smoothies they provided for breakfast :)

Westin Grand Spa

The highlight of the stay was the visit to the Westin Grand Spa (or Arabella Spa), which is situated on the top floor. I had a full body massage and facial, lasting 110m, after which I swam in their heated pool which must be a strong contender for pool with the most beautiful view in Cape Town - the far end of the pool drops off with a view of Cape Town's dockyards. The spa would be even better if they offered joint spa treatments in the same room for couples.

Click on the images to see details of the spa treatments available at the Westin Grand Spa.

Rooms

The bed was very comfortable, the views fantastic and I love the little lie-down couch they've got. The TV remote control didn't work well, and it's important to get these details right, otherwise a guest's lasting memory of an otherwise wonderful stay may be of standing in front of the television struggling to change channels.

Complimentary internet

Although we didn't make much use of it, we loved the complimentary internet voucher they gave us.

Photos

Various photos taken from and in the Westin Grand Hotel.

Cape Town's famous bridge to nowhere.	Comfy couch in our room in the Westin Grand.

City Lodge Hotel at the entrance to the Waterfront.	Southern Sun's Cullinan Hotel.

Europcar desk at the Westin Grand Hotel.	Cool lemonade served in the foyer of the Westin.

Cape Town Stadium in Greenpoint.	Sea Palace Restaurant from the Westin Grand Hotel.

The Table Bay Hotel (background), Waterfront.	Offices of Amway & Uwe Koetter Jewellers.

Thirty Seven restaurant

We supped at their "Thirty Seven" restaurant. The food was top-drawer (the pavlova comes highly recommended for those with a sweet tooth), but for the first time in my life I did not finish a virgin strawberry dacquiri - it had way too much lemon-juice in it. The breakfast was the best I can remember getting at a hotel - highlights were the vegeterian sushi and the variety of smoothies they had on offer.

Cost

Here's a selection of what things cost when we visited in December 2009 (obviously prices will change):

Appletiser from minibar	R25
Evian water from minibar	R20
Coca Cola from minibar	R20
Arabella Spa (facial, full body massage, pedicure)	R1385
Dinner for 2 at Thirty Seven restaurant (no alcohol)	R406
Room service for 2 teenagers and 1 toddler	R409
Accommodation (per room)	R819

Westin Grand Reservations

Online reservations	Telephonic reservations	Physical address
Westin Grand Hotel reservations	+27-21- 412-9999	Convention Square Lower Long Street Cape Town Western Cape 8005 South Africa

Map centred on the Westin Grand Hotel

News

Jul 2011	The Westin Grand launches its "room with a view", an interactive set of views by Starwood Hotels and Resorts. Participating Starwood hotels can broadcast, via webcam, their locations, allowing hotel guests to explore webcam feeds like Argentina’s Iguazu Falls, New York’s Empire State Building and the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
13 May 2011	The sale of the Arabella Hotel & Spa and the Westin Grand is concluded, with transfer to Hospitality Property Fund taking place. "The change in ownership of The Westin Cape Town will have no effect on clients, suppliers or hotel guests whatsoever. The hotel, which has been part of the Starwood network for the past eight years, will continue to deliver the same service excellence and superior five-star accommodation and facilities." says the Chief Operating Officer of Starwood South Africa, Friedrich Schaefer.
31 Aug 2010	The US Consulate in Cape Town lifts its directive restricting US Government employees from staying at the Westin Grand, as measures had been taken to prevent theft.
27 Aug 2010	The US Consulate in Cape Town advises US Government employees not to stay at the Westin Grand Hotel.
25 Dec 2009	Noseweek magazine reports that the Westin Grand Hotel is up for sale, together with the Arabella Western Cape Hotel & Spa in Kleinmond and Paulaner Bräuhaus (a Bavarian-style hostelry in the V&A Waterfront). The seller is the German company Schörghuber Stiftung & Co Holding KG, and the financial adviser is Deutsche Bank.