Africa's Pride... that's Crystal Towers Hotel

The view from the suite.

It still looks as natty as it first did even though the excitement of its eclectic decor - Texas-bordello plush bar juxtaposed by the living museum pieces in the lounges dedicated to musician David Kramer and explorer Kingsley Holgate is no longer there. The man-fishing-with-his-son installation in the main foyer is truly an example of arresting art and I was pleased that there were none of the men-in-black front and security staff scolding the young child climbing on the fisherman's back. Perhaps this best describes the tone of this hotel. Undoubtedly upscale but with a casual and contemporary attitude that welcomes all and isn't precious about its many fine things.

Nice suite, but...

The bedroom, well appointed but that bathroom and loo...

We were thrilled to again be hosted in a suite, this time a top floor, corner Weisse Suite which has a very large sitting room, floor to ceiling windows and dining table and an equally large bedroom screened by Japanese-style paper sliding doors. As in other rooms in this property, bathrooms are behind a flimsy curtain. Even though the toilet cubicle has a door it doesn't provide audio or fragrance privacy so this is perhaps not the hotel room to share with a business associate. The suite does have a guest loo, too. Everything you could want - Nespresso machine, quality TV and sound systems and loads of great read-magazines you will find here.

Views of Table Mountain are nothing less than spectacular and watching the lights of the city burst into gems as night approaches is like watching a great runway come to life before your feet.

About that balcony...

Breakfast at the hotel's ground floor restaurant was as spectacular as the writer remembered it.

There is a balcony of sorts on the top floor and while there is a door to it a key wasn't immediately obvious so they're obviously afraid of jumpers. There is also no decoration on the balcony which I think is a wasted opportunity but I can imagine that on a windy day not much would remain so many floors into the sky.

Relax in the lounge.

Breakfast at the hotel's ground floor restaurant was as spectacular as I remember it except on previous visits I had made a bee-line for the pastries and starch, this time I hovered around the smoked salmon. I was pleased that there were many options for those of us following paleo and low-carb, high-fat diets and there were also non-pork options. The fussiest of eaters will be happy here.

What about a heated pool?

Fancy a dip?

The first floor cafe, spa and pool deck is dazzlingly bright with its white on white decor but a lost opportunity is not to provide a heated pool. The cantilevered pool is a striking visual feature of this hotel and more should be made of it. There are only so many days when it is warm and wind free that a heated pool would make the outside area much more desirable.

What makes me love The African Pride Crystal Towers Hotel is the easy walking proximity to the Virgin Active Gym and Canal Walk Shopping Centre. The hotel does offer a free shuttle to the V&A Waterfront but the reason to elect to stay here rather than at the sea or in the city itself is to enjoy being in the centre of the finest shopping precinct our city has to offer.