The Marly takes luxury up a level

LUXURY boutique hotel, The Marly, could only go one way, and that’s up. After a five-month renovation and expansion which added 27 suites to the existing 11 – as well as a spa, a rooftop pool area with 360 degree views of Camps Bay and the Twelve Apostles, gift shop, and a state-of-the-art gym – the hotel reopened at the beginning of December.

Put all of this together with the restaurants in the Kove Collection that are in the immediate vicinity, and the prime location on the beachfront, and you have everything you need for a glamourous vacation.

Whizz up all the levels of the underground parking garage and you’ll find yourself at the very top of the building and the reception area. The Baptiste rooftop pool, bar and lounge are still one flight of stairs higher than that, from where you have simply the best view money can buy. The pool itself is reserved for hotel guests, but anyone is welcome to come spend the day, have drinks and a meal, and watch the sunset. For our media test drive ahead of the grand reopening, we were among the first to recline on the loungers in the pool, sipping bubbly and gazing at Lion’s Head and the paragliders floating around it, and I can highly recommend it.

Below the pool deck, on the same level as the reception area where you are appropriately greeted with a glass of bubbly when checking in, are the new suites – mountain or ocean facing. Mine was the latter, where I could sit outside on my balcony and watch the buzz of the promenade from a safe distance. In the morning, when it was still cool and quiet, the view comprised a few people jogging or walking their dogs in the surf.

My personalised itinerary began with lunch at Surfshack, one of the newest restaurants in the Kove Collection. The others are Bilboa, La Belle, Paranga (where it all began), Zenzero, Chinchilla – all on the doorstep – and Bungalow in nearby Clifton. The most difficult decision you’ll have to make is picking which one you feel like at any given moment.

After a seafood feast and some wine, along with brilliant service and excellent company, I rushed off for my appointment at the spa. I was to try an instant facelift in a soft cocoon of comfort in the reception area. Extended treatments take place in private rooms. The 30-minute Ling express facials were developed by facialist to supermodels and the stars, and owner of Ling New York, Ling Chan. These targeted face treatments claim to provide a guaranteed instant result – in half an hour.

Under the modesty of a fluffy white towel (and remaining fully clothed – which bears mentioning because there have been times I have been requested to disrobe for something as non-invasive as a pedicure), the therapist applied a sequence of potions, lotions and serums designed to give me a ravishing glow and take 10 years off my age. Thereafter, a warm flat device was used to push the wrinkles up into my hairline, apparently. One of the other guests put it best: “Ironed,” he said. “My face was ironed.”

The spa is open daily from 9am until 9pm. For booking enquiries call 021 437 1279 or email reservations@themarlyspa.co.za

Continuing the bubbly theme which had been set in motion since lunchtime, it was time for the rooftop. The photographs you see here are stunning, but they still don’t do it justice. I can think of no better place to enjoy summer and the beauty of Camps Bay without being part of the heaving masses on street level.

When everyone else went off to dinner, I headed back to my room (still full from lunch, you see) to watch my very own Netflix on the very clever TV, which picked up my movie at the exact point I’d paused watching it that morning. What a time to be alive!

The rooms remain light, bright and sexy, with a sophisticated palette of silvers, whites and grey keeping it understated and elegant. The ceiling detail above the bed was soft clouds with recessed lighting, and I loved the inclusion of an alluring Marshall Bluetooth speaker which is based on the famous amps. I have a smaller one at home, and it rocks, and cranks the volume up on the style wow factor.

For more information about The Marly Boutique Hotel, click here and follow up to date news on Instagram @themarlyhotel and Facebook @themarlycampsbay.

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FEATURED IMAGE BY CLAIRE GUNN ©