Once Cape Town

Cape Town has been voted the world’s top tourist city for the seventh time running –  no wonder, when it caters for all types of magnificently diverse people out there. For those who love to feel the soul of the country through its rich culture and history, I’d recommend a trip to the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary African Art – architecturally designed in an old silo. Then, immerse yourself in the legend of Nelson Mandela with a day trip to Robben Island where the man who changed a nation was imprisoned for 9 years. 

For the active adventurers,  the city also offers mountain ranges to hike and white sandy beaches for the beach bums and surfers. Just a 30 min drive from the Once takes you to the lush vineyard valleys of Stellenbosch. Encapsulated by mountains and quaint, picturesque farmhouses, you’ll find yourself surrounded by some of the finest wine around. Let’s not forget the restaurants and fresh food markets back in Cape Town – a foodies dream come true. As the African sun sets over the sea, the lights of the city illuminate the night, guiding the party seekers into secret gin bars with DJ’s bursting the dance floors. All of this wrapped in the arms of the warmest, most hospitable South Africans makes Cape Town a true gem of a city at the Southern tip of Africa.

Cute and clean with a pop of African vibrancy (you can buy the awesome throw pillows a few doors down). After beers and pizza at Yours Truly, take just a few flights of stairs up and flop onto your comfy bed. Be sure to switch the fan on in summer, mozzies are about! A little tea and coffee station is the perfect way to start your morning while admiring impressive Table Mountain from your bed. Be patient with the showers, they’ll get the job done in typical laid back Cape Town fashion. Being water conscious means the water pressure is low – we’ve all got time for that. For a quiet night’s sleep book a Mountain View room, these are further away from the buzz of Yours Truly and Kloof street.

What a rad spot! A walk through the hanging garden of Yours Truly takes you to reception which always has at least 3 people at the desk answering questions, checking people in and generally looking pretty cool. The staff are friendly, laid back and welcoming with a wealth of knowledge on Cape Town. There’s a weekly board at reception giving you the low down on everything from the weather to where to party that night. There are no lifts so good luck with those heavy bags…  however, there are plenty of helpful hands if you ask. There’s private parking at the back and with Yours Truly attached to Once there’s always a buzz of people around giving the venue a good vibe and a secure feeling.

Once is on the very cool, hip Kloof Street. Across the road is The Wellness Centre with shops, a grocery store and an excellent yoga studio. Kloof Street leads into famous Long Street and the centre of town. From top to bottom are restaurants, cafes, local designer stores, bars and art galleries. You can walk to all these areas but best to keep street smart and handbags zipped. If you head in the other direction you’ll hit Table Mountain and the cable cars. There’s also Platteklip Gorge which is the most direct, oldest hiking route up the mountain. Lions Head, the free-standing peak located next to Table Mountain is an exhilarating hike with epic views. Just on the other side of the mountains, you get Camps Bay and Clifton which are great beach spots however if you’re after the surf head further to Llundudno or Muizenberg.

Yours Truly is a super diverse crowd. I took tequila shots with a group celebrating a 40th, hung out with a Dutch traveler drawing caricatures, got chatting with a crew touring from Louisiana and exchanged some recommendations with the barista.