It is located in the penthouse of The Promenade centre, also home to The Kove Collection's Paranga, Zenzero and recently opened Umi restaurants. The building is a Solomon Brothers' development and appears as if The Marly replaces St Ives and the Beach Club which I think it an excellent use of the space.
If ever there were a poster child for great design, this must be it. There is nothing about experiencing The Marly Boutique Hotel that doesn't appear as if it weren't always intended as an upscale accommodation and Kovensky, and designer Gregor Bremer of Soda Design must be applauded.
Room One is a vast suite in white and grey tones. The bed is raised on a dais with grey buttoned-leather headboard while an impossibly long and impossibly soft white leather couch is at its feet. Think about the interior as a mash up of a Christian Dior Paris boutique and a 1930s Hollywood movie palace. I love it.
The bathroom is all marble and mirror with sea-facing window so there's a view of palm trees and beach below. There's also a bath butler menu if you're after a pamper or therapeutic spa vibe.
As vehicle access to The Marly is directly from the parking garage upper level there is guaranteed anonymity and Solange, Beyonce and Jay Z might well be there and if you didn't spot them at Caprice you'd be none the wiser.
Although Kove's The Alphen Hotel in Constantia has all the glamour and elegance of The Marly, it doesn't have the urban edge this property has. If your guests usually stay at Hotel Costes in Paris or at W Hotels, New York this is where they'll want to be in Cape Town.
A drawback is having to use Zenzero which doesn't enjoy direct access to the hotel as a breakfast eatery but 24-hour room service is offered and the well stocked Lavazza coffee maker in the room means you need leave your suite only if you want to.
Looking to continual growth
I recommend you do though if only to allow Huge, yes, that's his name, to make you a cappuccino or muddle a mojito for you on the pool deck, that's when you're not splashing in your private spa or sunning your toes on your own deck.
According to a media statement, Kovensky has his sights set on continual growth. He aims to employ and empower the 900 people already employed so they can develop intellectually and emotionally, resulting in polished guest experiences and service excellence.
"We are going to keep hunting for the best possible locations, be it local or abroad," he says. "We will continue to open unique, interesting hospitality outlets, be they hotels, bars or restaurants."
You'll find The Marly at 201 The Promenade, Camps Bay, Cape Town. For more information go to www.TheMarly.co.za
