The President Hotel in Bantry Bay, Cape Town, celebrated 260 years of hospitality in style on November 11. The event, hosted by businesswoman and author Rachel Kolisi, was a toast to the hotel's heritage, featuring cocktails, performances, and ocean views. Guests were treated to a sunset swim performance by synchronised swimming club The Barracudas, who wore designs from the hotel's new collaboration with South African designer Sindiso Khumalo.
The hotel's history dates back to 1766 when it first became a place for people to rest, dine, and gather at the foot of Lion's Head and overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. General Manager Nikki Vardan said that despite the many changes over the years, the spirit of hospitality and bringing people together has remained constant. The hotel has been thoughtfully reimagining its spaces, including the newly launched Residence, designed for families to come together and create lasting memories.
Vardan has been part of the hotel's journey since November 2015 and has seen it evolve, grow, and establish its own unique identity. She thanked the people who have helped shape the hotel's journey, including the Chairman, CEO, and directors. The hotel's team, both past and present, were also praised for their dedication, warmth, and commitment to making guests feel like they belong.
The evening's festivities included a harvest table for guests to gather around, with music flowing from DJ Ra. Kolisi, who was dressed in a Sindiso Khumalo design, highlighted the importance of making lasting memories with family, saying that these moments come and go faster than we can imagine. The hotel's collaboration with Khumalo has resulted in a new online collection of beautiful pieces inspired by Cape Town.
Sindiso Khumalo's collection, called 'Souvenir', features three pieces - a swimsuit, a bikini, and a kaftan - made in Cape Town for the shape of a seaboard summer day. Khumalo tells stories through cloth, with each collection beginning with her own drawings, watercolours, and paper cut-outs. The silhouettes follow the body in a loose, unhurried way, built for heat and movement rather than restriction.
The President Hotel's 260-year history is a testament to its commitment to hospitality and making people feel like they belong. Vardan said that the hotel's story is about the people, the guests who walk through its doors, and the memories they create. The hotel's newly launched Residence is a beautiful new space designed for families to come together and create lasting memories.
As the hotel looks to the future, Vardan said that some of its most exciting chapters are yet to come. The hotel has been thoughtfully reimagining its spaces, from the poolside to the arrival experience to its rooms and suites. With its commitment to hospitality and making people feel like they belong, the President Hotel is set to continue creating lasting memories for generations to come.
Key points
- The President Hotel in Cape Town has celebrated 260 years of hospitality with a glamorous event attended by designers and media personalities.
- The hotel's history dates back to 1766 when it first became a place for people to rest, dine, and gather at the foot of Lion's Head and overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.
- The hotel has launched a new online collection of beautiful pieces inspired by Cape Town, called 'Souvenir', in collaboration with South African designer Sindiso Khumalo.
