Harmonic meditation music in the background followed by silence and a warm massage bed awaits me as I step out of reality and into the lap of luxury. I’m so excited that I forget to disrobe before sinking into the bed.
“Ma’am, please step out again so that you can take off your gown,” the masseuse says.
By the time he returned to the dimly lit warm treatment room, the calmness had already overtaken me and I didn’t even hear his entrance.
Lemongrass mixed with other basic oils was my choice for the hour-long massage. Thirty minutes into the treatment, I was lulled into sleep. But not before marvelling at how lucky I was to be enjoying this amazing resort, even for just 24 hours.
I am at The One and Only Resort and Hotel, lying in the lap of luxury. Owned by South African hospitality tycoon Sol Kerzner, the hotel, which boasts supreme service, is situated in the Cape Town city centre, a five-minute walk from the V&A Waterfront.
Did I say city centre? Yes, right in middle of the traffic, city lights and night revellers – but, of course, once you are inside you feel like you are in an oasis.
The earthy tones, rich dark wood décor, soft lighting with imposing glass chandeliers and music welcomes you in the main reception of the hotel.
You enter at your own risk because once you’re inside, you will never want to leave. Which might be a problem, considering rooms at the resort cost anything from R3 049 to R95 000.
But for just one night, it was my turn to be treated like the one and only. The minute I opened the door to my room, I did what most people long to do – jumped on the king-sized bed and did a little joy dance. The room was decked in earthy bronzes, browns and orange with a huge bathtub overlooking Table Mountain, and had everything from a mini-bar to the latest technology.
It was then time to sample the fine fare on offer at the hotel restaurants. Reuben’s Kitchen, which launched its winter menu at the beginning of this month, has a cheeky city vibe. The high wine cellar wall at the entrance to the restaurant validates the Western Cape’s reputation as the country’s premier wine destination.
Celebrity chef Reuben Riffel warmly welcomed a group of journalists and businesspeople into his masterpiece cosmopolitan eatery.
He introduced his wild mushroom soup, French onion soup and warm duck salad for starters. For mains we were treated to a slow-baked lamb shank, lightly creamed chicken and prawn curry and soy-braised pork belly. For me, the lamb shank was the dish of the day, going down a treat with the wine of the day, Dalla Cia’s 2006 Giorgio red.
The decadence continued with a full-body massage at the spa to unwind before dinner at the celebrated Nobu restaurant.
Owned by Japanese master chef Nobuyuki Matsuhisa, the restaurant has made its mark as an international brand in 24 holiday destinations around the world including Miami, Los Angeles, New York and Milan. With soft music and dimmed bubble lights, the dining hall offers a private and intimate romantic meal, while also accommodating business executives and socialites. The Japanese cuisine, with a sprinkle of indigenous spices, leaves you in awe of the chef.
And, so after being spoilt rotten, it was finally time to acquaint myself with the lavish bed in my beautiful room. I kept hoping that someone would arrive to tell me I didn’t have to leave. Dream on… - The Mercury