The Westin Grand Hotel Review

I recently had the pleasure of being invited to a site inspection and breakfast at the newly re-branded Westin Grand Cape Town Arabella Quays. The 5 star luxury hotel is located in Cape Town’s foreshore, perfect for business travel as it is situated next to the Convention center.
Upon arrival I was greeted by the friendly doorman and hotel team, helpful check in clerks, and a delightful atmosphere. The reception area was friendly, offering complimentary lemonade and a comfortable waiting area. When you first enter the hotel, there is a noticeable presence of professionalism which is flattered by the feeling of relaxation.

The décor that transcends throughout the hotel is clean and modern, with good choices in colour and various forms of artwork positioned from walls to floors. One of the noticeable pieces found in the reception area is the bright designer rug, created by local artist Julia Swanepoel. This bright design is mirrored onto the shuttle busses parked outside, which offer a free shuttle service to the V&A waterfront and back. The theme all around the hotel is the ceiling to floor glass windows, creating a spacious flow from the outside in.

This is a premier venue for meetings, conferences and banquets and perfectly facilitates business guests with accommodation and business amenities paralleled by the customized renewal experiences which energize your mind, body, and spirit, making your stay especially memorable.

The Westin Grand offers high tech facilities, top class contemporary decor, large rooms each with business desk, free internet access and a personal butler service, with excellent panoramic views of the Waterfront, Table Mountain and Robben Island.

We started our tour by viewing the conference rooms and venues, at the time they were in use and we weren’t allowed entry. The Conference lobby was well equipped with business facilities, a comfortable foyer, plasma screens and DVD players; allowing for personal advertising or branding. The fully equipped business centre assists guests with all copying, faxing, mailing and data processing needs. The lobby has a dedicated travel, tours and activity desk that will be able to organise any trip guests wish to partake in.

The new branding of the Westin has been customised as a renewal experience that energizes the mind, body and spirit of guests to ensure a memorable stay, focusing on the client’s senses and individual attention, making the Westin a retreat of tranquillity and rejuvenation.
The Westin incorporates this idea with use of the Heavenly beds ® and the Heavenly Shower ® in the rooms, which claim to be an experience of heaven on earth. Heavenly Shower ® is a custom designed shower head featuring five adjustable jets and several spray options.  

There is also the WestinWorkout® gym and the WestinWorkout ® rooms. To add to this sensory experience The Westin has placed real plants in all suites and bathrooms and offers a Westin Unwind evening. The evening has the intent of transitioning guests with their daytime state of mind into a relaxed approach. The Westin Unwind holds various activities in the evening for guests such as beading and sushi making.

The Westin has a total of 483 rooms, over 18 floors. Security is good as each floor has glass doors, which you can only access with your room key card. Each room we viewed was spacious and decorated in warm tones of green, red or mustard. Interior is modern with comfortable furniture. The large glass windows are a nice touch to the rooms along with the usual amenities, such as flat screen TV, DVD player, safe and fully stocked bar. The bathroom is fully furnished with quality shampoo and conditioner and fresh towels.

The Westin Executive Club comprises of the 16th to the 18th floor, this is an exclusive floor, almost a hotel within a hotel. All the Westin executive rooms are fitted all the business essentials, such as desk fax/printer/copier speaker phone and special lighting. Theses room all have access to the Westin executive club.

The Presidential suite is my personal favourite because it epitomises style, class and luxury. This suite offers an entrance lobby, entertainment room, lounge, butlers kitchen, en suite, dressing room, walk in closet and the main bedroom. The spacious bathroom contains large spa bath and double shower set against glass windows, giving the affect of bathing in the clouds.

Guests of The Presidential Suite can enjoy the amenities of private sauna, fireplace, surround sound entertainment lounge with play station and plasma TV, fully serviced kitchen and butler service. This breathtaking Suite, is located on the 18th floor, overlooking Table Mountain, Atlantic Ocean, and the entire city of Cape Town

Situated on the 19th floor, the internationally acclaimed Arabella Spa, offering beauty and body treatments, a mini-gym, sauna, Jacuzzi, a lap pool and steam room all with breathtaking views over the city and the bay. Underwater music can be heard inside the swimming pool and clothing is optional.

Our tour ended when we had breakfast at the Executive club restaurant, also found on the 19th floor. This is the set up for Executive club travellers who have access to this restaurant plus the Thirty 7 Restaurant on the ground floor. The restaurant presents great views and a good selection of breakfast buffet food from all over, such as cold meats, fresh fruit, sushi, cereals, juices, and hot items. Guests also have the option of ordering off the menu.

Overall this hotel sets new standards in elegance and comfort, bringing world-class luxury and style into the heart of one of the most sought after business and holiday destinations in the world. Guests can enjoy the luxury and business convenience along with the professional staff and modern amenities.

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