Lagoon Beach, bringing the mountain inside

Granted that when we think beachfront we don't think Paarden Eiland or even Lagoon Beach, the gentrified name for the former industrial area, however, aside from the pumping South Easter wind which afflicts the greater Milnerton area, there are no compelling reasons not to be excited about Lagoon Beach.

I suppose it is snobbery on my part that grimaces slightly at the idea of the area, but I can't think of another hotel that is right on the beach (and only 8km from Cape Town CBD) other than the exquisite Last Word Long Beach in Kommetjie. Others, and I'm thinking Winchester Mansions, The Peninsula, 12 Apostles are all separated by a road (and a nosily busy one, at that). So, for that reason alone, the four-star Lagoon Beach Hotel must be considered.

Although the postcard view of Table Mountain is from a little further along the coast (Rezidor's new Radisson Blu in Blouberg will no doubt champion this), from Lagoon Beach, Table Mountain seems to also frame the working harbour which adds visual interest to the spectacular view.

Spacious - and with a second loo

What the hotel lacks in personality, (the clean lines leave it a bit sterile), it makes up for in very spacious suites, all with second loos (which I think is the most essential factor for continued marital harmony) and all-glass sea-facing walls and sliding doors to the large balcony which brings the mountain, sea, (and the wind and the sand) inside. Interiors are contemporary and uncluttered of the sort you'd find at IKEA.

Because the three-storey structure hugs the coastline, some of the rooms are quite a distance from the double-volume reception area and public spaces.

Under previous management the restaurant, then called Abalone, tried unsuccessfully to present sophisticated fare. Now the space is more user-friendly with good buffet breakfast options and light meals. For the moment in-house facilities are used to cater for their booming conferencing business, but the adjacent Zorba's for Med-cuisine or Wangthai, a few paces around the corner, are recommend. I'm told F&B options at The Lagoon Beach Hotel are soon to be upgraded.

Welcome to Camelot

Second to the CTICC, the Lagoon Beach Hotel claims the largest conference facilities (eight venues catering for from 15 to 550 people) as well as a rooftop and beachfront pool deck, which also houses the good, marine-focused Camelot Spa.

While other hotels ask you to check in after 3pm, I like their earlier 1pm check-in although check-out is at 10am rather than 11am.

The completed Rapid Transport System into Cape Town will make this property even more desirable.

For two people in a standard room (ask for sea facing) between August 1 and September 30, 2010 rack rate is R1720.

Contact +27 (0) 21 528 2000 or visit www.lagoonbeachhotel.co.za.