Urban Oasis: Palm House Boutique Hotel and Spa

WORDS Gina Dionisio PHOTOS Paris Brummer


Nestled on the slopes of Table Mountain, Palm House Boutique Hotel and Spa is a stately home transformed into an urban hideaway amid the leafy streets of Upper Wynberg.

For decades Palm House has been a charming fixture in the southern suburbs. And now, with a recent change in ownership, a reimagining of Palm House has infused this grande dame with the elegance and refinement she deserves.

When Max Jong and Shelagh Wood took ownership of the property in mid-2023, they realised that the elegant old home-turned-hotel needed a complete aesthetic overhaul. “We placed enormous energy into curating a new look for Palm House to ensure the feel of the property, that almost indefinable character, was just right,” explains Shelagh.

While retaining key elements of the original house, such as the wood-panelled lobby fireplace, sweeping staircase and first-floor landing, the refurbishment entailed a floor-to-ceiling reboot that paid homage to the original while infusing the hotel with a hint of modernity. In came new herringbone floors that echoed the originals, graceful chandeliers, bespoke wallpapers, and hand-picked artworks. As a result, Palm House exudes opulent charm while retaining a sense of home comfort.

“It was important for us to position Palm House as a real home-from-home for travellers,” says Max, a seasoned traveller with an innate understanding of luxury hospitality. “Whether you’re coming down from Johannesburg for meetings once a week, or jetting in from abroad for the summer, we created a space where people can step through the doors and immediately feel at home.”

The selection of elegant guest rooms and suites are set within the main house and the spacious Palm House gardens.

Palm House Boutique Hotel – Garden Suite

The Garden Suites – available in one- to three-bedroom configurations – are ideal for multi-generational travellers and those looking for a sense of space and privacy. Each offers a private lounge and sitting area, while private patios step directly onto the wide lawns that lead to the swimming pool terrace.

Stepping through the striking pillared entrance of the century-old main house, the casual charm of the Garden Suites is replaced with a sense of contemporary luxury. Here, original pressed ceilings blend with curated artworks, bespoke wallpapers and richly furnished bedrooms with views of Table Mountain.

At the kitchen’s helm is respected executive chef Gregory Henderson, who brings decades of experience and a passion for sustainability to the dining experience at Palm House Boutique Hotel and Spa. Open to both local diners and resident guests, the hotel offers a culinary experience in two parts: casual all-day dining at the Palm Terrace and more creative culinary fare in the elegant dinner-only de Tafel room. The hotel also offers an impressive wine collection centred on boutique Cape estates, with talented sommelier Richard Goza to guide guests through wine pairings over dinner or tutored tastings during the day.

“Cape Town is a multicultural city, and we really want to embrace that across our menus,” adds Henderson. “We want to bring in Indigenous flavours and aromas like buchu, rosemary and wild sage, and we’ll also be offering foraging excursions for people to learn about the wild almonds and bladdernuts, the edible ferns, and of course the edible mushrooms that grow wild in the forests just a short way from the hotel.” 

Offering pure escapism, the Açaí Spa, set just a few steps from the main house, allows guests and day visitors to indulge in the holistic products of Africa’s Healing Earth range. A highlight of the spa is the unique Banya Sauna. Set in a serene courtyard, this traditional barrel-shaped sauna of Nordic pine is ideal for relaxing before a treatment or winding down after a busy day. | palmhouse.co.za


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