Muse Hotel De Luxe

Cape Town – 21 April 2011 – Surrounded by vineyards, this 15-suite boutique hotel sits in five acres of newly landscaped grounds, a 10-minute drive from Pampelonne and St. Tropez. Here, style and service rule. Created by young entrepreneurs Adrian Jossa and Celia Gumbau and financed by YTL Hotels (Pangkor Laut Resort), this €20-million property will appeal to glamorous young couples and bigwig industrialists who would rather lounge by the pool than join the bronzing hordes on the sandy beach. (Should you get restless however  the hotel’s vintage Bentley will shuttle you back and forth). Yes, there’s the poolside ‘sun butler’ with his tray of SPF creams, and staff wear couture uniforms by Alexis Mabille, but the relaxed, friendly atmosphere makes up for the verging-on-excessive pampering. And although hi-tech gadgets abound (an iPod and MacBook Air are delivered to your room on arrival), it is the very comfortable bedrooms, named after illustrious muses, which are the real highlight: cream wood-and-stone duplexes, some with in-suite massage tables and showers big enough for a small army. There are glossy art books galore and a mini wine cellar in every sitting room; outside, you can go native on the pétangue court or hop on a bicycle to work up an appetite for dinner at the terrific seafood-and-truffles terrace restaurant.

WHEN TO GO June, before the party crowd invades, and September, for the Indian summer and empty beaches.

ROOM TO BOOK The sprawling ‘Romy’ or ‘Grace’ duplex suites, for the private garden, plunge pool and sea-view terrace. 00 33 4 94 43 04 40; www.muse-hotels.com. Suites from €350

Contact:

The Roving Ambassador – gigi@tourismcorp.co.za