Inside the New Vineyard Hotel Apartments

WORDS Amelia Brown

The much-loved Vineyard Hotel in Newlands, Cape Town, has unveiled three deluxe self-catering apartments with eco credentials.

An existing building was demolished to make way for a three-storey building, which comprises of three units. Each features two spacious en-suite bedrooms (one king and one twin) and an open-plan lounge/dining area with kitchen facilities. Guests can cook for themselves or eat at one of the hotel’s restaurants, and also have access to the wellness centre (yoga studio, gym and indoor/outdoor pools) and spa.

“The brief called for the creation of a Green Star-rated building that would also provide attractive views from the apartments while maintaining privacy and security for the guests. The north- and river-facing terraced floors and stepped façades are part of the response to these requirements,” explains Tertius Krüger, partner at Revel Fox and Partners cc, Architects and Planners.

There were also requirements on the interior design in order to meet the Green Star standards. “Certain points needed to be followed in order to gain this rating,” says Interior Designer Liza Wyborn from Les Harbottle Designs (LHD). “The use of materials, where they came from, how they were produced and what products were used to produce them are all scrutinised.”

Liza had to be incredibly detailed to meet the criteria, ensuring the correct glues and sealants were used on joinery during manufacturing, for example, and that local products were produced within a certain radius of the hotel. “Luckily we have suppliers like Forest Creations, New Way Lighting, Krafthaus, Moorgas and Sons, Pedersen + Lennard, to mention a few, all creating the most inspiring local products in this radius,” says Liza.

The intention for the interiors was to make the apartments feel like a home away from home, she adds. “This was a different approach to designing a hotel bedroom as a single entity. Here it was about the relationships between the different rooms and how the space, in its entirety, will make the guest feel. It needed to be a relaxing, calming environment where an authentic use of materials would work to produce a textured space.”

One of the ways this was achieved was through light, both natural and decorative. The glazing offers abundant natural light and views north over the Liesbeek River and the mountains beyond. In addition to the organically shaped hand-blown pendants in the bathrooms and stairwells, Liza chose wire pendants that create interesting shadows.

All the lighting is from New Way Lighting. The natural hardwood flooring is from Oggie Hardwood Flooring and Liza introduced calming blue hues with rugs from Monn Carpets, throws from Krafthaus, and scatters from Evolution Product.

Find out more about The Vineyard and the deluxe apartments’ availability here and check out other apartments we’ve featured here.