The Twelve Apostles Hotel

The Twelve Apostles Hotel & Spa, a Michelin Key Selected property in Cape Town, South Africa, consistently receives high praise for its breathtaking location, exceptional service, and luxurious offerings.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

The general consensus for The Twelve Apostles Hotel & Spa is overwhelmingly positive, frequently described as an "excellent" 5-star sanctuary. It boasts high guest review scores, such as an 8.8 rating on Booking.com based on numerous reviews. Its selection as a Michelin Key property further underscores its reputation for maintaining a high standard of luxury and service.

2. Key Highlights

Guests consistently laud the hotel's:

• Spectacular Location: Perched high above the Atlantic Ocean, flanked by the majestic Twelve Apostles mountain range and Table Mountain, the hotel offers truly breathtaking ocean and mountain views.
• Warm Hospitality & Service: The staff's super-friendly, efficient, and attentive nature, embodying legendary South African hospitality, is frequently highlighted.
• Award-Winning Spa: The holistic Sanctuary Spa is a significant draw, featuring an ethereal, all-white crystal grotto interior and even mountaintop gazebo treatment rooms.
• Fine Dining Experiences: The hotel is recognized as one of South Africa's top places for wining and dining, particularly the Azure Restaurant, which offers world-class cuisine with incredible views.
• Convenient Amenities: A complimentary hourly shuttle service to popular spots like Camps Bay and the V&A Waterfront is a much-appreciated perk. The private cinema, offering movies with meal options, also adds a unique touch.

3. Room Quality

The hotel features 70 elegant, individually designed rooms and suites. These accommodations are typically styled with light colors and dark-wood accents, creating an eclectic blend of contemporary African flair and classic European comfort. Guests describe the rooms as spacious and comfortable, often featuring balconies that offer superb ocean or impressive mountain vistas. Luxurious bedding and thoughtfully curated amenities contribute to a relaxing experience. While recent refurbishments have updated some rooms, some guests have occasionally noted certain rooms appearing "dated" or experiencing minor maintenance issues like worn-out items or discolored bed sheets. It's also worth noting that the lowest room categories may not come with the best views, sometimes facing inner courtyards.

4. Dining Experience

The culinary offerings at The Twelve Apostles Hotel & Spa are a celebration of Cape Town's rich culinary traditions, focusing on fresh, locally-sourced ingredients.

• Azure Restaurant: This fine-dining establishment, led by Executive Chef Christo Pretorius, offers seasonal, locally-inspired cuisine with a modern French influence and South African touches. It's particularly renowned for its exceptional wine list and breathtaking ocean and sunset views from its terrace.
• The Café Grill: For a more relaxed meal, The Café Grill provides an all-day dining experience with a menu featuring sushi, fresh, and healthy café-style fare, often with sweeping views of the Table Mountain National Park.
• The Leopard Bar: Ideal for sundowner cocktails, craft gin tastings, and afternoon tea, The Leopard Bar offers panoramic ocean views and live music in the evenings.
• Breakfast: The breakfast experience is highly rated, scoring 9.5 on Booking.com. It includes an extensive buffet and à la carte options, ranging from continental and full English/Irish to vegetarian, vegan, and American choices. Highlights often include freshly harvested oysters, sparkling wine, charcuterie, cheeses, and made-to-order hot meals.
• Overall, the food is consistently described as "amazing," "delicious," and "exceeding expectations," with the ability to accommodate various dietary requirements.

5. Service & Staff

The service at The Twelve Apostles Hotel is a standout feature, with guests frequently praising the "super-friendly, efficient, and attentive" staff who embody "legendary South African hospitality." Many guests highlight the genuine warmth and willingness of the team to go "above and beyond" to ensure a perfect stay. Personalized touches, such as staff remembering guest names and preferences, contribute significantly to the luxury experience. While overwhelmingly positive, very few isolated comments have mentioned some staff in the spa being "not super helpful" or specific instances of "poor service" in the restaurants.

6. Location & Accessibility

The hotel's location is a key selling point, described as "breathtaking," "spectacular," and "enchanting." It sits along the scenic coastal Victoria Road, nestled between the Atlantic Ocean and the Twelve Apostles mountain range. Despite its secluded feel, it offers convenient access, being only a 15-minute drive from central Cape Town and Camps Bay Beach. The complimentary hourly shuttle service to Camps Bay and the V&A Waterfront (available from 8 am to 9:30 pm) mitigates any perceived isolation. The hotel is approximately 40 minutes from Cape Town International Airport. Guests can also enjoy hiking trails directly from the hotel into the mountains. However, some reviews mention that a busy road runs between the hotel and the ocean, and traffic noise can occasionally be heard, potentially impacting a "back-to-nature" experience for some.

7. Value & Pricing

As a luxury 5-star property, The Twelve Apostles Hotel & Spa is positioned at a premium price point. Many guests consider it to be well worth the cost, citing the unparalleled amenities, stunning views, and impeccable service. Typical prices can start around $300-$400 USD per night for classic or entry-level rooms, with an average price per room estimated at $399, significantly higher than Cape Town's average. While some guests find the pricing "quite expensive" or "a bit steep," especially for rooms without desirable views, others suggest it offers competitive pricing compared to other top-tier luxury hotels in Cape Town.

8. Common Complaints

While overwhelmingly positive, recurring criticisms or issues include:

• Traffic Noise: The road situated between the hotel and the ocean can be busy, leading to audible traffic noise, particularly in ocean-facing rooms, which some guests find detracts from the tranquil setting.
• Room Condition: Isolated instances of rooms being described as "dated" or in need of renovation have been mentioned, along with minor issues like discolored bed sheets, broken bed parts, or blinds that don't fully block morning sunlight. However, staff are often quick to resolve these by offering alternative rooms.
• Small Pools: The two swimming pools are sometimes described as "quite small" and may feel crowded when the hotel is at full occupancy.
• Perceived Isolation: Despite the shuttle service, some guests feel the hotel's location is "isolated" and lacks immediate walkable attractions.
• Inconsistent Restaurant Service: While generally excellent, a few past reviews have cited isolated incidents of "poor service" in the restaurants.
• Concierge Service: One recent review noted slow communication and a special request being overlooked by the concierge team.

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