Morea House’s contemporary, angular facade faces right out onto the beach from where the lively V&A Waterfront is a 20-minute drive north, with Sea Point, another popular stretch of seafront, just 11 minutes away by car. But if you’re coming to Cape Town, trendy Camps Bay is really where you want to be. Its cold, clear Atlantic waters stand out against the dramatic backdrop of the Twelve Apostles mountain range, and a wide, bustling promenade runs its length, where you’ll find a host of bars, restaurants, and boutiques. Inside the hotel, a soothing palette of timber, stone, and bronze tones, layered with sculptural forms and soft textures, reflects its surroundings. Voguish Lebanese restaurant Omri attracts discerning locals as well as guests, and an indulgent in-house spa helps make it a must-book.
Given its proximity to the Atlantic, it’s no surprise that cold water therapy forms part of the hotel’s wellness ethos. On arrival, guests are supplied with a hand-drawn map of the surrounding area detailing the best places to take a cold plunge, from local lidos to tidal pools. There are 90 rooms here, spread throughout the upper four floors. Some have an oceanfront view, some face towards the mountains, but all follow a similar, tasteful design aesthetic: pale, stone-colored walls, blonde wood flooring, and light, marble-clad bathrooms. The food here is in a class of its own, its Lebanese menu honoring the heritage of one of the hotel’s owners and helmed by highly skilled, fellow countryman Joe Estello. Smoky grilled meats pair with delicious dips from muhammara to baba ganoush, accompanied by piles of puffy pita bread. —Laura Millar