What’s it Like?
Comfortable, clean and something different, whilst being a solid bet for someone looking for quality accommodation in the northern suburbs of Cape Town. The hotel is themed on the original Cape Dutch style of architecture and there’s an immediate sense of distinction upon arrival, although this is juxtaposed with the ultra-modern setting of the GrandWest Casino, which is situated adjacent to the hotel. From a decor point of view, there’s an interesting mix of traditional and modern, which seem to blend effectively.
Where is it?
Located in Goodwood, as part of the GrandWest Casino and Entertainment World complex, the City Lodge is approximately 20 minutes drive from Cape Town International Airport, the city centre and the V and A Waterfront.
Room Facilities
There are 176 rooms in the hotel – all air-conditioned and offering either double or twin beds. The rooms are not huge, by any standards, but they are clean, tidy and comfortable, with standard laptop-sized safe, coffee, tea, hairdryer, bath and separate shower facilities. Wi-Fi is available in all the rooms, as well as throughout the hotel, and there is a desk in all rooms – suitable to use for work purposes. There is a television (not flat-screen) with selected DSTV satellite channels. One in 50 rooms is designed to meet the special needs of the physically disabled. A unique aspect of the accommodation is the motorised partition between bed and the bathroom, which allows you to watch television, whilst in the bath, or allow you to conduct a conversation whilst reclining in the tub!
Restaurants & Bars
The hotel provides a pretty extensive breakfast offering, with most dietary requirements catered for, with everything from rice cakes and grapefruit for the health conscious, to the decadence of Belgian waffles with whipped cream. The hotel bar is open until 23h00, with the coffee shop offering light meals and sandwiches until 22h00. The casino complex offers a wide range of restaurants, covering Indian food, Chinese, seafood, steakhouse and Italian cuisine. According to the hotel, most of the restaurants deliver food and their contact details are available in the rooms. There are also three main bars to choose from in the casino complex. The SuperSport Bar is a sports bar, Jackson Hall is a jazz venue and Hanover Street is the local night club, if you fancy going later into the night.
Meeting & Business Facilities
There is a fully-equipped boardroom, with flat-screen television and teleconference equipment, which can be booked at the front desk. Sandwiches and light snacks can also be requested. There is also a guest office, which is available for use, with fax and photocopy services.
Leisure & Fitness
Most of the focus is on what the casino complex has to offer and there is plenty to choose from, in the form of the casino itself, the cinema, ice-rink, bars and restaurants. In addition, The Grand Arena and Roxy Revue Bar both play host to live entertainment. Further to that, the hotel itself has a fitness room with a good selection of equipment and there is a decent-sized swimming pool, with place to sunbathe. The other facilities available are same-day laundry and a dry cleaning service.
Verdict
Something different from your standard Cape Town experience, away from the city, beaches and mountains. But, in saying that, there are still views of the mountains and the accommodation is comfortable, clean and good value for money. In addition, the service is very good.
Contact
Address: GrandWest Casino & Entertainment World, off Vanguard Drive, Goodwood, Cape Town
Tel: +27 (0) 21 535 3611, citylodge.co.za/cl3.php