Add a little spice to your life at the Pepper Club

My partner and I were lucky to experience this luxury first hand, last Friday as guests in one of their One-Bedroom Deluxe Suites. Equipped with bedroom, spacious bathroom, living room and kitchenette area, the suite is wonderfully suited to couples who would like a little space to breathe and the option of self-catering.

Truffle foam and mended hearts

We had no need to make use of the kitchen however as a booking at the hotel's Sinatra restaurant had been made. Situated on the ground floor of the hotel the Sinatra Restaurant, as the name would suggest, is themed around ol' blue eyes; Frank Sinatra. Photos of the singer adorn the walls and the space conjures up an old school elegant charm.

Served by the incredibly sweet and chatty Nicola we chose a starter of venison Carpaccio with pepperdews and a rich wild mushroom soup with truffle foam (for which alone it's worth revisiting). These were followed by main courses of Teriyaki glazed salmon with Basmati rice and asparagus for me and beef fillet medallions, potato fondant and shitake mushrooms for my partner. Both were equally delicious and moreish. The only slight niggle was that the medallions were more medium well-done than medium rare, as was requested. On Nicola's recommendation we chose the raspberry-and-chocolate brownie cheesecake to share. So good, she explained, it cured one of her customers' broken heart, which, after tasting, I could surely believe.

Bottoms up!

Bellies stuffed, we rolled our way to the intimate Odeon Cinema housed one floor below. The fabulous Full Monty was on the line-up that evening and we managed to catch the tail end (or maybe that should be bottom end #giggle) of the film as dinner had rolled on a little longer than expected. With movies on every night, including complimentary popcorn, this cute 29-seater theatre really offers unique entertainment option value to the hotel.

As it was a long weekend the night we stayed, the hotel's Cayenne spa was fully booked so I returned a few days later to try the intriguing and somewhat scary-sounding 75-minute Intonga Stick Massage. Imagining being wacked by knobbly sturdy sticks all in the name of relaxation and health I tentatively entered the massage room. Luckily, my therapist explained beforehand that the various-sized sticks, which are very smooth, are rather rolled and pressed along the body for a deep tissue massage. Having the combination of both a traditional hand as well as stick massage was quite a unique experience; however I have to admit that I do prefer hands to sticks, as the sticks were understandably hard, a little chilly and quite ticklish in some areas. That said, they really do stimulate the muscles on a broader and deeper level.

Wined, dined, entertained and treated, our stay at the Pepper Club was a most comfortable and pleasant one. For more info or to make a reservation check their website at www.pepperclub.co.za.