On arrival security wasn't quite sure where we should park our car, it was only at check-in that we discovered that cars are valeted up to the parking area. It's really important to inform all staff about guest-arrival procedure - you don't want them to seem unhelpful and you don't want your guests feeling anything less than welcome.
After checking in, we headed up to our room to escape the unbearable heatwave cooking the city. Happy to find an aircon in the room, we settled in; while the rooms aren't huge, they're comfortably cosy. The Inn on the Square is situated in a great central location for tourists looking to roam about the city. You'll find it amidst the cobblestones of Green Market Square. Looking out our room window from the fifth floor, down at Shortmarket Street, I felt the energetic buzz of the CBD.
We headed up to the recreational area where we found the saunas, gym room and the pool deck. The heated pool is small and with three people in it, you're probably not going to be doing any laps, but it's perfect for those 35-degrees-in-the-shade kind of days. We bobbed around for a bit and headed back to our room for some R&R, accompanied by a glass of wine or three. We ran into our next hiccup when calling DISH, the in-house restaurant, requesting an ice bucket - they were all in use so we settled for ice by alternate means (try bowl, maybe?) - little did we know that we would be handed a plastic carrier bag full of ice. Classy, no; but I suppose it did the job.
After lazing about on the very comfy beds and zoning out in front of the TV, we headed down to grab some dinner. There are plenty of little cafe's and bistros in the vicinity if you're hungry, or there's always DISH. If it's a warm summery night, it's really a pleasure sitting outside opposite the deserted market square, which comes alive during the day. You sense the CBD simmering down and the nightlife taking over. We ventured out for the rest of the night and returned in the early hours of the morning to find the J&B Met party animals also filing in two-by-two into the hotel.
We had a relativity good stay at the Inn on the Square, but there are definitely areas they could improve on, such as lengthier hanger space - a show-stopping outfit, such as one might wear to The Met, will definitely not fit into the small space provided, and holes in guest towels are a serious no no!
I would recommend a stay at the Inn on the Square if you're planning a very short trip to Cape Town - for all the modern refurbishments, great location, cosy rooms and comfy beds, but it's just not homely enough to spend too lengthy a time under their roof.
The Inn on the Square is part of the Three Cities Group. For more info, go to www.innonthesquare.co.za.
