With the natural beauty of Cape Town on the doorstep, yet safely set apart from the frenetic bustle of the city, Palm House Boutique Hotel and Spa is an urban hideaway amid the leafy streets of Upper Wynberg. Located close to the forested slopes of Table Mountain, and just minutes from the venerable vineyards of Constantia, Palm House has for decades been a fixture of this historic suburb; a stately home transformed into a boutique hotel brimming with character and charm.
And now, with a recent change in ownership, a reimagining of Palm House has infused this grande dame of the suburbs with the elegance and refinement she deserves.
That new energy comes courtesy of Max Jong and Shelagh Wood, who became custodians of this historic gem in mid-2023.Dutch-born Jong is a successful entrepreneur who divides his time between the Netherlands and Cape Town, while Wood is a proud Capetonian who operates several businesses within the complementary realms of wellness and hospitality.
When the pair took ownership of the property, they realised that although the ‘bones’ of this eleganthome were solid, the hotel needed “a complete aesthetic overhaul,” explains Wood. “We placed enormous energy into curating a new look for Palm House to ensure the feel of the property, that almost indefinable character,was just right.”
While retaining key elements of the original house – note the wood-panelling around the lobby fireplace, the hand-crafted sweeping staircase and first floor landing – the refurbishment entailed a floor-to-ceiling reboot that paid homage to the original while infusing the hotel with a sense of elegant modernity. That meant new herringbone floors that echoed the originals, graceful chandeliers with a subtle sense of grandeur, bespoke wallpapers from a specialist décor atelier, and hand-picked artworks. The result? An aesthetic that brings both sensory delight and a sense of home comfort.
“It was important for us to position Palm House as a real home-from-home for travellers,” adds Jong, a seasoned traveller with an innate understanding of luxury hospitality. “Whether you’re coming down from Johannesburg for meetings once a week, or jetting in from abroad for the summer, we created a space where people can step through the doors and immediately feel at home.”
That cross-over appeal for leisure and corporate travel extends to the selection of elegant guest rooms and suites, which are set both within the main house and within the spacious Palm House gardens.
Decorated with a sense of approachable luxury, the collection of Garden Suites – available in one- to three-bedroomconfigurations– are ideal for multi-generational travellers and those looking for a sense of space and privacy. Each offers their own private lounge and sitting area, while private patios step directly onto the wide lawns that lead to the swimming pool terrace.
Stepping through the striking pillared entrance of the century-old main house – a proclaimed National Monument, designed by aprotegé of Cape architect Sir Herbert Baker – the casual charm of the Garden Suites is replaced with a sense of contemporary opulence. Here original pressed ceilings blend effortlessly with hand-picked artworks, bespoke wallpapers and richly furnished bedrooms, most offering wonderful views across to Table Mountain. And if it’s views you’re after look no further than the Deluxe King Suite, which offers a spacious lounge and expansive private terrace overlooking the hotel gardens.
Forest foraging and refined dining
In step with the reimagining of the design and décor comes a new energy in the kitchen, with Palm House Boutique Hotel now set to cement its position as a significant culinary addressin Cape Town’s southern suburbs.
At the helm is respected executive chef Gregory Henderson, who brings decades of experience and apassion for sustainability to the dining experience at Palm House Boutique Hotel and Spa. Open to both local diners and resident guests, the hotel offers a culinary experience in two parts: casual all-day dining at the Palm Terrace, and more creative culinary fare in the elegant dinner-only de Tafel room.
Beginning with an inventive breakfast menu – don’t miss the feather-light omelette soufflé, or indulgent EggsBenedict – the heart of the Palm Terrace experience is Henderson’s menu combining on-trend small plates and family-friendly favourites.
“People love choice,” explains Henderson. “So we have made sure that the menu really allows diners the freedom and flexibility to dine and indulge as they see fit, whether they’re preparing for a busy day in the office, whiling away an afternoon on holiday or catching up with friends over fine food.”
At the Palm Terrace that means a delectable selectionof small plates to be enjoyed as they are, or elevated to a main course portion. Think tender lobster cappelini made in-house, or caul-wrapped lamb rack on hand-chopped ratatouille. Even the house burger is given an overhaul, with a patty of hand-ground short-rib on a house-made brioche bun. Create a platter of plates to share across the table, or select a few for yourself.However diners choose to indulge they can look forward to a menu brimming with Cape-inspired creativity.
Afternoon Tea at the Palm Terrace has also recently been introduced and is served daily between 2pm and 5pm. Enjoy a three-tiered étagère of savoury and sweet morsels to share along with fine teas and coffees or why not order a glass of bubbly as an extra spoil?
The menu for de Tafel, the more elegant of the two restaurants is focused on refined dining come evening. Here you’ll certainly want to begin with an aperitif or creative cocktail in the intimate bar and lounge, fire roaring in the hearth and a friendly mixologist behind the bar, before taking your seat for the multi-course menu that takes its cue from the indigenous flora and flavours of the Cape, with a keen eye on sustainability. No surprise there, as Henderson is a proud ambassador for the World Wildlife Fund’s South African Sustainable Seafood Initiative (SASSI).
At de Tafel, chef Henderson has introduced fourand six-course set menus(including a plant based menu) that are firmly in step with the seasons,as well as farmand ocean-minded sustainability. Look forward to his inspired take on the Swahili spice routes in the chilli-ginger of fresh Knysna river crab and a velvety sauce packed with Cape Malay flavours, or perhaps the sustainably-caught Kingklip served pan-seared with buchu, honeybush and pickled wild fennel. A plant-based version of Henderson’s de Tafel culinary odyssey is also available.
Palm House offers an impressive wine collection centred on boutique Cape estates, with talented sommelier Richard Goza on hand to guide guests through wine pairings over dinner, or tutored tastings during the day.
“Cape Town is a multicultural city, and we really want to embrace that across our menus,” adds Henderson. “We want to bring in indigenous flavours and aromas like buchu, rosemary and wild sage, and we’ll also be offering foraging excursionsfor people to learn about the wild almonds and bladdernuts, the edible ferns, and of course the edible mushrooms that grow wild in the forests just a short way from the hotel.” A full complement of staff – led by general manager Ilze Henderson – are on hand to curate every aspect of the guest’s stay, from securing restaurant reservations at the best tables in the Winelands to arranging executive transfers.
Wellness in Wynberg
Whilst securing your accommodation reservation, be sure to pre-book an appointment at the hotel’s Açaí Spa, set just a few steps from the main house. Under spa manager Leandra de Villiers the menu of wellness treatments at Açaí taps into the holistic products of Africa’s Healing Earth range,with a comprehensive selection of hand, foot, facial and body treatments. This includes the signature Palm Journey, a full-day wellness experience inclusive of lunch at the Palm Terrace.
In addition to three single treatment rooms, outdoor jacuzzi and mani-pedi studio, the spa recently expanded to include a dedicated couples’ treatment room. But a highlight for many in-house guests and day-visitors to Açaí is the unique Banya Sauna. Set in a quiet courtyard, this traditional barrel-shaped sauna of Nordic pine is ideal for relaxing before a treatment, orwinding down after a busy day exploring the Cape or battling business. It’s an especially serene corner of a boutique destination built on escapism. Whether you’re indulging in the fine cuisine from one of the South Africa’s most talented chefs, or enjoying the serenity of an urban oasis, Palm House Boutique Hotel and Spa offers an unforgettable address in one of the most charming corners of the Mother City.
For more information and online bookings – enquire about this season’s Palm House Indulgence Offer, go to www.palmhouse.co.za or email [email protected].
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