Kensington Place

Kensington Place, nestled in the serene Higgovale suburb on the slopes of Table Mountain, stands out as a Michelin Key Selected property offering a truly exceptional boutique hotel experience in Cape Town. Guests consistently laud its intimate atmosphere, personalized service, and stunning design, making it a highly recommended retreat for couples and solo travelers seeking tranquility and luxury.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

Kensington Place receives overwhelmingly positive feedback, with guests frequently describing it as "excellent," "amazing," and a "perfect small hotel." It boasts exceptional scores for location, cleanliness, facilities, comfort, and staff, often rated 9.5 and above. The general sentiment is one of a luxurious, serene sanctuary that consistently exceeds expectations.

2. Key Highlights

Guests consistently highlight several outstanding aspects of Kensington Place:

• Exceptional Service: The staff's friendliness, efficiency, and meticulous attention to detail are frequently praised.
• Tranquil Location: Situated in a peaceful enclave, the hotel offers a quiet, country-retreat-like ambiance despite its proximity to the city.
• Stunning Design & Ambiance: The hotel features a modern, classic interior with cosmopolitan art and eclectic modernist furniture, complemented by beautifully manicured gardens.
• Intimate Scale: With only eight individually decorated rooms, it provides a highly personalized and private experience.
• Panoramic Views: Guests enjoy sweeping views of Table Mountain, the city lights, and historic Table Bay.
• Delicious and Flexible Breakfast: The lavish, all-day breakfast served on the verandah or in-room is a particular favorite.
• Plunge Pool: A perfectly formed aquamarine plunge pool offers a refreshing spot for relaxation.

3. Room Quality

The eight suites at Kensington Place are designed with comfort and contemporary luxury in mind. Rooms are spacious, often featuring a lounge area and a balcony or terrace with views of the garden, city, or Table Mountain. Key features include:

• Luxurious Comfort: Sprawling king beds with premium bedding and a squishy sofa.
• Elegant Design: Modern Italian furnishings, iron greys and whites, striking colors, and textured sofas.
• Modern Amenities: Air conditioning, underfloor heating, complimentary Wi-Fi, a laptop, iPod docking station, Marshall speakers, and a large flat-screen TV with a DVD library.
• Decadent Bathrooms: En-suite bathrooms come with rain showers, huge sunken bathtubs, heated marble floors (in some), bathrobes, slippers, and Molton Brown amenities.
• Thoughtful Touches: Beach bags and towels are provided, and some rooms feature fireplaces for colder months.

4. Dining Experience

The dining experience at Kensington Place is highly praised, especially the breakfast.

• Exceptional Breakfast: Described as "lavish" and "outstanding," breakfast is a highlight, featuring fresh fruit smoothies, homemade honey-toasted muesli, and fluffy omelettes. It's served all day and can be enjoyed on the sunny verandah, by the pool, or privately on your room's balcony.
• Flexible Menu: The kitchen staff is happy to prepare items not explicitly on the menu upon request, treating guests "as if you were family".
• Limited Seasonal Menu: While not a full-service restaurant for all meals, the hotel offers a limited, seasonally based menu for lunch and private dining for supper.
• Lobby Bar: A full bar service, including cocktails and a wine list, is available in the designer-furnished lobby bar with a fireplace.

5. Service & Staff

The service and staff at Kensington Place consistently receive top marks.

• Impeccable Hospitality: Guests frequently commend the staff for being "extremely friendly," "efficient," "impeccable," and "highly attentive but not overly so."
• Personalized Attention: The team is noted for their "eye for details" and treating guests like family, creating a warm and welcoming "familiäre Atmosphäre."
• Excellent Concierge Service: Staff provide helpful tips, suggest local attractions and restaurants, and are on hand 24 hours a day to assist with requests, including booking restaurants and offering complimentary Virgin Active gym memberships.

6. Location & Accessibility

Kensington Place is strategically located in Higgovale, a quiet and prestigious residential area on the lower slopes of Table Mountain.

• Serene Setting: It offers a tranquil environment surrounded by nature, with beautiful views of the city, harbor, and mountains.
• Proximity to Attractions: Despite its secluded feel, it's conveniently located:
  • A short drive (10-15 minutes) to popular areas like the V&A Waterfront, Camps Bay, Clifton beaches, and the city center.
  • Relatively close to Kloof Street, known for its vibrant array of restaurants, bars, and coffee shops, which can be easily reached.
  • Approximately a 20-minute drive from Cape Town International Airport.
• Transport: While its serene nature means a taxi or car is often recommended for getting around, guests report no problems getting Ubers. Free on-site private parking is available.

7. Value & Pricing

Kensington Place is generally considered to offer excellent value for the luxurious and personalized experience it provides. Pricing varies by season:

• Seasonal Rates: Guide prices for bed and breakfast range from approximately $150 during the low season (May-August) to $200-$215 during the high season (January-April, September-January).
• Recent Pricing: More recent searches indicate nightly rates for two adults starting from around $336 for a standard room to $557 for a superior room.
• Inclusions: Rates typically include the highly-rated breakfast.

8. Common Complaints

While highly lauded, a few minor points of feedback have been noted:

• Lack of In-Room Tea-Making Facilities: One reviewer mentioned missing in-room tea-making facilities, though staff are readily available to provide beverages.
• Reliance on Transport: Due to its secluded location, a taxi or car is often necessary for exploring beyond the immediate vicinity.
• Small Plunge Pool: While "perfectly formed," the pool is a plunge pool and not suited for extensive swimming, which is typical for a boutique hotel of this size.
• Age Restriction: The hotel does not accommodate guests under the age of 12.

Sources

1. go2africa.com
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3. michelin.com
4. booking.com
5. kensingtonplace.co.za
6. travelandlust.com
7. youtube.com
8. mrandmrssmith.com
9. standard.co.uk
10. kayak.sg
11. capetownhotelsearch.com
12. expedia.com