So, what is an Afrikaner hotelier – who grew up on a farm in the Free State, went to a Swiss hotel school, and then chose to live in Amsterdam – doing on Church Square, in Cape Town? Living his dream, of course. And it must be said, Labotessa’s founder, Johan du Plessis, is surely the most passionate boutique hotelier in this city. Not only does he nurture the trees in this historic square, but he’s brought a little bit of Europe with him and it’s catching on fast.
This beloved seven-roomed hotel is as narrow as the Dutch canal-side beauties and has an equally elegant history: these ancient walls have witnessed everything. From the first Congregational Church in South Africa, port-swigging traditions of a gentleman’s club, law firms, to aspirant musicians when it was a private music school.
Out on the square, you could be forgiven for thinking you’re in Paris while sipping coffee under the stylish navy and white shades, or in Amsterdam when you smell just-baked traditional apple pie – their signature Café & Terrace dish. Served with coffee beneath the gentle gaze of Vermeer’s Milk Maid. The wall painting was painstakingly recreated from a digitised image from the Rijksmuseum but in slightly brighter colours.
But as soon as you enter this historic 1677 landmark, through the original Table Mountain sandstone entrance, it’s the unmistakable scent of Diptyque, from the legendary Parisian perfumer, that seals the memory of your visit here. Johan has created an exquisite sanctuary to scent, which carries you up to the relaxed mezzanine, where a roaring fire and muted coral velvet sofa welcomes guests in an intimate low-ceilinged space. No intimidating hotel lobby here… it’s personal and warm.
A distinguished home away from home
So, why stay at Labotessa? It has just six standard suites and one presidential suite, and they’re anything but standard because they’re the size of a small apartment. Each one painted in soothing shades of blue, with accents of colour and glamour in ceramics and lighting. Johan has a weakness for Marcel Wanders, who owned one of the last hotels he worked in – making Labotessa the perfect city hideaway.
Thoughtful, simple, uncomplicated – a home-away-from-home – but not, as staying here feels distinctly like you’ve left town. The top-floor presidential suite, with magnificent views of Lion’s Head and a small plunge pool, is the piéce-de-rèsistance. What more could you want? Perhaps a chef to host a private dinner, as the open-plan kitchen is a stunner…
Written by Holly Durcan