A two-year revamp of the City Lodge Hotel V&A Waterfront in Cape Town is at an end. Taking the landmark property to an exciting new level in hospitality, the transformation of the hotel at the entrance to South Africa’s Number One tourist attraction includes a handful of significant changes, including upgrading to four-star status and the addition of a groundbreaking South Africa-focused wine bar complete with a showpiece sharing menu.

Significantly, the City Lodge Hotel V&A Waterfront was established in 1992, just two years after the opening of the V&A Waterfront, which now draws some 24 million visitors per year. Its most recent revamp is part of a continuing evolution not only of the hotel, but also the City Lodge Hotels group that marks its 40^th anniversary this year.

Centuries of hospitality

The property’s longevity in Cape Town should be seen on the backdrop of the city’s hotly competitive, historical hospitality trade. In his 2015 book The old hotels of Cape Town (1890 to 1911) – a history long forgotten, seldom told, Michael Walker notes “impressive growth” in its early years.

“Cape Town was the gateway to the wealth of Africa; in diamonds, gold or agriculture, and her seafront was the premier holiday resort for visitors both local and overseas. This resulted in the high demand for quality hotel accommodation both in the larger and smaller hotels. The smaller hotels also thrived on accommodation for weekly or monthly boarders.”

City Lodge Hotel V&A Waterfront General Manager Wentzel von Wielligh will agree that little has changed where the Cape is concerned. The location of the hotel, with views onto a landscaped canal, is at one of the most convenient junctions in the city. From here, it’s a short walk to the Waterfront, to the Cape Town International Convention Centre and the bustling CBD, but also a quick drive to the airport and the region’s other biggest attractions.

In terms of hospitality, however, change remains the only constant and affects almost every sphere of the enterprise.

Co-ordinating the roll-out

The refurbishment at the hotel was implemented in two phases. The first took place from August 2023 to October the following year and addressed its 207 rooms. These comprise 132 double rooms, 71 twin rooms, four accessible rooms.

The second and final phase began in August 2024 and focused on commercial areas and the restaurants.

An over-arching theme has seen the hotel stylishly reborn as a modern expression inspired by the Cape’s iconic floral heritage. Within this, catering for leisure and business travellers as well as walk-in guests, are:

• A chic new wine bar showcasing South African wines and spirits and a new restaurant that supplement existing social food and beverage offerings;
• A canal-facing terrace;
• A heated splash pool;
• A new fitness centre;
• A sleek new co-working space; and
• Two new meeting rooms, a 12-seater and a 6-seater.

“As with all properties within the City Lodge Hotels portfolio, our design philosophy prioritises the creation of spaces that feel like home,” says Louise Nogueira Dracopoulos, owner of Oniro Studios commissioned for the project. “Every detail, from the choice of furnishings to the layout, has been crafted to foster comfort and connection, ensuring that guests can enjoy both relaxation and productivity during their stay.

“Each area has been thoughtfully curated to evoke a sense of warmth and comfort, making the hotel feel like a true home away from home.”

She highlights several characteristics of the process.

There’s a reception area that welcomes guests with open arms, complemented by a serene library that doubles as a private meeting room. The bar at Atlantic Social is adorned with pebble pendants that hang above, wrapped in sail-like chains. “This design element pays homage to our location in the renowned V&A Waterfront, artistically linking the hotel to its maritime surroundings,” she says.

The lower level has been refurbished to open onto a deck, allowing guests to sit outside and enjoy the fresh air and scenic views.

“The bedrooms have undergone a significant upgrade, embracing a serene colour palette of beautiful greens and ochres that align with the Fynbos theme,” says Louise. “Each room features a unique yet tranquil aesthetic, designed to provide a peaceful retreat.”

Planning for success

Negotiating any transition, however, is never easy and was a key focus for the team – a complement of 40 in-house and 40 casual staffers. Wentzel says the room renovations were done by completing the two separate wings of the hotel, one at a time. This allowed the hotel to continue trading during the project.

“Phase 2 was more challenging with the closure of the commercial areas,” he says. “We partnered with a neighbourhood restaurant to provide breakfast, or guests could enjoy a breakfast box in the comfort of their rooms. We offered room service for beverage service.”

Sustainability is key

Crucially, the revamp has intensified the hotel’s focus on sustainability. These include being equipped with solar panels, a generator, back-up water tanks, and having water-saving and waste recycling measures in place.

According to Wentzel, the hotel has partnered with the Waterfront Company and their waste recycling plant. There are sorting bins in and around the hotel and waste is collected daily by the Waterfront Company and taken to their sorting plant within the precinct. Management receives monthly reports from the Waterfront Company on the hotel’s recycling figures and savings.

Guest rooms are equipped with water carafes instead of plastic water bottles, allowing guests to top up at the hydration station near reception, which offers free filtered magnesium-enriched water. There are also water saving reminders hanging on bathroom showers.

Bathroom amenities are free from single-use plastic and packaged in recyclable and environmentally-friendly materials.

All these initiatives form part of the group’s wider mission. While its 7 374 rooms across 58 hotels shows it takes sleep very seriously, sustainability has ensured that properties like City Lodge Hotel V&A Waterfront continue to thrive into the future.