Soooo ... come with me and I'll show you what you missed/share some of our photos from the Vineyard Hotel in the leafy, quiet suburb of Newlands, Cape Town ...
Built in 1800, "Paradise" was the residence of Lady Anne Barnard and her husband Andrew, the secretary of the first British Governor of the Cape. It was the first English style home to be built in the Cape. In each of the rooms there is a very interesting book with the story of those early beginnings but I sadly didn't have time to read the whole book. It has of course, been added onto ... this being one of the more modern blocks of beautifully appointed rooms overlooking the gardens. Ours was the one in the gap in the trees with the window open (closed umbrella under it) ...
But let's start at the entrance which is on the other side !!!! Small cannons guard the front door ...
... inside the foyer, and indeed, all over the entire hotel, there are antiques and treasures from bygone days ... this is a huge consomme pot from the old Carlton Hotel in Johannesburg ...
... take a peek down the original main passage ...
.. which takes you into the gardens ...
.. which takes you into the gardens ...
... passing the old staircase and a gallery of drawings and paintings done by Lady Anne ... a painting of her is in the oval frame ...
... a corner in one of the lounges ...
... a corner in one of the lounges ...
Let's go up this staircase to our floor ...
.. down the passage lined with old pieces of Afrikaaner furniture and prints of well known artist Jacobus Hendrik Pierneef ... another very interesting website is www.gbu.co.za/trees/jacobhendrikpierneef.htm ...
I am sure this - below - is original. It's a Christmas greeting card to the now deceased owner of the hotel, Henry and May Patousis .. (but it is still in the family as the sons now own it) ...
... on we go ... into our room with a panoramic view of Table Mountain (the 'table top' is round to the right) ...
... on we go ... into our room with a panoramic view of Table Mountain (the 'table top' is round to the right) ...
... and the beautiful lush gardens below ..
The dining area is in an old courtyard linking the old building on the left to the newer part ...
.. with a beautiful mosaic fountain inscribed "Family Patousis .. Vineyard" ..
If you need a workout or a little pampering, there is a gym and spa nestled in the gardens ...
I shall take you for a stroll around the gardens next ... so watch this space !!
.. with a beautiful mosaic fountain inscribed "Family Patousis .. Vineyard" ..
If you need a workout or a little pampering, there is a gym and spa nestled in the gardens ...
I shall take you for a stroll around the gardens next ... so watch this space !!
Now why did I think the Vineyard Hotel was in Constantia?? Here you say Newlands.
ReplyDeleteWhen my daughter worked for that American lady she lived in a hotel, for some reason I remember it being the Vineyard...I visited her there a few times and it was not in Newlands...But..that could mean I have the wrong name...will ask her when we chat again...If I can get hold of her, struggling lately. Leaving her messages and sms's and never hear back.
What a beautiful place! I love that mosaic fountain. How unusual! And the breath-taking views. I must make a note of this and visit when we're in CT again some day!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful place Avril!
ReplyDeleteWhat a stunning place. And the vew from the bedroom, WOW!
ReplyDeletethat was fun...
ReplyDelete