Brian Berkman visited the Accor Hotel Group’s first Pullman-branded hotel in South Africa, formerly a Radisson Blu, and found that subtle changes enhanced the guest experience.
Photo: Supplied
The 214-key Pullman Cape Town City Centre hotel sits at the edge of the CBD in a tower block once occupied by the now defunct shipping line Safmarine.
Prior to Pullman, an Accor-brand incarnation, the hotel was operated by Radisson under its Blu label.
This is a hybrid property where the lines between hotel and apartment, and business and leisure, are blurred.
Many of the wonderful features that existed when it was Radisson Blu remain, such as the Ghibli Bar and the raised terrace pool deck.
The lobby feels quite different, with single check-in desks and a fun market-style cart offering flavoured waters and fresh fruit as a welcome refreshment.
To the left of reception, the Sea Street coffee shop and Konnichiwa, a new sushi bar at street level, are impressive.
The in-house guest experience happens behind an access-controlled lift lobby, with stunning floral arrangements.
Part of the hotel’s positioning is in welcoming all travellers with the understanding that most people today, even those on holiday, want to keep tabs on business and other activities.
There are five fully audiovisual- equipped rooms for social or business meetings, and they can be combined as needed. These rooms are located on the same floor as the main restaurant, where buffet and à la carte meals are available.
Within the main Stratus restaurant area, there are breakaway spaces that can be used for private dinners or group activities.
Hotel rooms, especially the corner units, have floor-to-ceiling windows with views of the city, Table Mountain, and the harbour.
There are also premium Italian Illy espresso machines in each room that pour perfect coffee. For the writer, this is one of the main reasons to stay here, as the Illy product is more premium than the typical Nespresso, and far more premium than the no-name pods that fit the Nespresso machines, which many hotels offer.
Rooms are comfortable and stylish, with geometric carpeting and full-wall decals. All the requirements for a great stay are offered: unlimited and very fast Wi-Fi; robes and slippers; a laptop-sized digital safe; plenty of bed-height charging points; as well as quality rooibos-and-mint bathroom amenities.
Extras like a pillow menu and scented pillow spray left on the bed during turndown are also a very nice touch.
Pullman offers access to the exclusive Executive Club Lounge to selected ALL (Accor Live Limitless) loyalty members, and guests who upgrade. The lounge provides refreshments and comfortable seating throughout the day, along with a selection of canapés in the evening.
Club access is particularly useful if you can get it, as it provides a significant saving on your food and beverage spend.
Breakfast bonanza
The buffet breakfast experience is fun on account of the various market carts and large centre tables spread out over quite a large area. Even during busy times, it doesn’t feel like a scrum.
One cart, for example, has a chef making omelettes, and another pancakes. Another still offers a wide selection of fresh juices and smoothies.
The varied selection of hot and cold items is impressive, and for people with gluten intolerance and other dietary restrictions, items are well labelled.
The hotel pays close attention to various religious dietary restrictions, too. Items that contain pork, for example, are separate.
The Chef’s Special during the visit was a spectacular creamed spinach dish with poached eggs.
Room configurations
The 214 rooms comprise 132 Classic, 61 Superior, and 21 Executive rooms.
Pullman Cape Town offers a 24/7 fitness centre and all-day room service.
While secured parking is available, a drawback is that hotel guests need to park on the fifth floor, which is open to the elements.
Green credentials
Pullman Cape Town is an eco-certified hotel, which means it measures and reduces its carbon footprint, energy, and water consumption; eliminates single-use plastics; and offers organic, local, and/or seasonal food and beverages while reducing food waste.
The hotel also provides a complimentary shuttle to the V&A Waterfront.
A slight drawback: despite the writer being on the 10th floor, there was quite a lot of noise pollution from revellers on the terrace below and people on the street.
For more information phone 021 467 4000, email [email protected], or visit PullmanCTCC.
