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Palm House Boutique Hotel and Spa

Glamorous 5-star suites and dining in a 1920s grand home

Last updated: 1 August 2024

Hidden in the leafy suburbs of Wynberg, you might just miss this grande dame of the southern suburbs – Palm House Boutique Hotel and Spa.

This 1920s grand home, transformed into a boutique hotel, is brimming with character and charm. And you don’t have to stay over to experience elegant dining from The Forage Chef, lunch at Palm Terrace, dinner at de Tafel or a massage at the Açaí Spa.

Palm House is elegantly situated in the tranquil suburb of Wynberg. Image: Palm House Boutique Hotel and Spa

STAY IN A CHARMING 1920s MANOR

The original wooden door of the stately home beckons visitors inside, while a grand chandelier and sweeping staircase directs guests to the suites upstairs.

New owners Max Jong and Shelagh Wood are the reason why visitors can still admire much of the original architecture of columns and rounded turrets.

From a potential threat of the signature property being redeveloped, Jong and Wood acquired Palm House and transformed the address into a five-star boutique hotel in December 2023.

One of the most charming aspects of this boutique hotel are all the bay windows of the original architecture. Image: Palm House Boutique Hotel and Spa

SO MANY PERKS OF STAYING BOUTIQUE

Upon arrival in the suite, guests are welcomed with a flute of sparkling wine or grape juice and a delicious welcome snack, showcasing the attention to detail and care that defines Palm House’s hospitality.

The service is impeccable, ensuring that every aspect of your stay is tailored to your preferences. After an elegant dinner, you'll return to find your room thoughtfully turned down, with your robe and slippers laid out, exemplifying their commitment to personalised service.

Eye-catching chandeliers are a feature of most suites. Image: Palm House Boutique Hotel and Spa

10 LUXE SUITES & 5 GARDEN COTTAGES

Each suite is a charming blend of modern luxury and old world touches. Many still have the original wooden windows, which look onto the greenery of the surrounding mountains and trees. There’s a Nespresso machine in every suite and the bathrooms are sleek in black and marble finishes.

Palm House boasts 10 deluxe rooms as well as five Garden Suites that are ideal for families or larger parties. Each room and suite is named after a wine varietal, celebrating their passion for wine and Cape heritage, which is also very much evident in the wine list at De Tafel - Palm House’s signature restaurant.

Out of the striking pillared entrance of the century-old main house, are the five Garden Suites (one- to three-bedrooms). Each offers their own lounge and sitting area, and private patios step directly onto the wide lawns that lead to the swimming pool terrace.

The Garden Suites are private and situated near the expansive pool. Image: Palm House Boutique Hotel and Spa

ELEGANT DINING FROM THE FORAGE CHEF

de Tafel is captained by illustrious chef Gregory Henderson.

Known as The Forage Chef, he’s committed to preserving wild foods and the heritage of indigenous ingredients. He was awarded Best Head Chef Africa 2018 by the WLRA and was a Global Winner of Most Sustainable Dining Experience at the LUX Awards in the same year.

de Tafel offers a six-course menu, including a plant based option, that takes its cue from the indigenous flora and flavours of the Cape, with a keen eye on sustainability. There’s dishes like Asian chilli ginger crab (Knysna river crab and a velvety sauce packed with Cape Malay flavours) and sustainably-caught kingklip with pickled fennel.

de Tafel, open exclusively for dinners, is open to the public, not just hotel guests.

The six-course set menu is firmly in step with the seasons as well as farm and ocean-minded sustainability. Image: Palm House Boutique Hotel and Spa

OVER 30 WINES ON THE MENU

Day guests are welcome to dine at Palm Terrace, too. It has a magnificent outdoor area, which overlooks the property’s namesake palm trees and trickling fountain.

While still a considered menu, it combines on-trend small plates along with bigger plates of family-friendly favourites too.

Stand-out dishes include lobster capellini made in-house, or caul-wrapped lamb rack on hand-chopped ratatouille. Even the house burger is a step above, with a patty of hand-ground short-rib on a housemade brioche bun.

There’s over 30 wines on the menu, all centred on boutique Cape estates. The sommelier will gladly recommend a pairing for each dish you order.

The wine list is full of intriguing lesser-known labels that you wouldn't find at your local wine merchant. Image: Palm House Boutique Hotel and Spa

VISIT THE SPA FOR THE DAY

After a slow lunch, the Açaí Spa is such a treat. Palm House’s spa and jacuzzi is also open to visitors (there are half-day and full-day packages).

There’s a range of unique treatments, with some using nano gold technology, heated poultice therapy, rose quartz crystal, Jade stone, CBD or bellabaci cups. And massages are one of the most popular offerings, along with the Banya Sauna, a traditional barrel-shaped sauna of Nordic pine.

There’s a range of unique treatments at the Açaí Spa. Image: Palm House Boutique Hotel and Spa

Although there’s plenty to do nearby (the area is renowned for its wine estates, for starters), we wouldn’t be surprised if you ended up exploring here instead – there is so much to do at Palm House Boutique Hotel and Spa.

The suites have large luxurious bathtubs with local artisinal products. Image: Palm House Boutique Hotel and Spa

DISCOVER THIS LUXE HIDDEN GEM

Find Palm House Boutique Hotel and Spa: 10 Oxford Street, Wynberg, Cape Town

Book: 021 745 5008, Whatsapp 076 487 2016 or info@palmhouse.co.za

Rate per night: From R2 950

Açaí Spa: Treatments from R900

Dining: From R280 for mains

Find more information: via the Palm House Boutique Hotel and Spa website

By Julia Rowley

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