Taj Cape Town

The hotel's interiors merge the building's heritage with elegant contemporary design. Here,"the guest is god", and indeed you'll feel quite spiritual after a holistic treatment at the Jiva Grande Spa (though you pay extra to be treated like a goddess). Try Indian fine dining at the five-star Bombay Brasserie, and lighter meals at Mint, which spills out to a much-loved sidewalk cafe. Trendy Twankey Bar serves tapas; the colonial Indian-style lounge doubles as a high-tea venue and late-night cigar room.

The 176 rooms range in size from generous to enormous (the Presidential Suites are a spacious 194 square metres). All are meticulously decorated in five-star establishment style, with classic modern furnishings and exceedingly comfortable beds and linen. Some face the mountain, others overlook the city or the harbour (not quite as lovely). Most have a balcony, some have large, spacious outdoor terraces, ideal for sitting and soaking up the cityscapes. The en-suite bathrooms have marble showers and big bathtubs.

Cape Town offers a world of activities. Take in the vibrant art scene, with museums and galleries on the doorstep; go shopping and dine any way you like at the V&A Waterfront; or visit historic Robben Island. Away from the buzz, summit Table Mountain, on foot or by cable car; explore the botanical gardens at Kirstenbosch; take in the views at Cape Point, and watch penguins waddle at Boulders Beach. There are beaches aplenty, and easy-to-get-to wine estates to try.