Nestled in a tranquil nook of Cape Town’s bustling city center, Labotessa boutique hotel offers a stunning urban retreat that has discreetly become one of the most desired escapes in town. Blending European charm and subtle elegance with a tribute to the rich cultural heritage of South Africa’s Mother City, this gem is a must-visit.

Though Cape Town may be filled with new-build hotels, Labotessa revels in its storied history. Hosted in a grand Dutch-style townhouse dating back to 1677, the hotel overlooks historic Church Square, one of the city’s oldest public spaces, and stands opposite the graceful lines of the Groote Kerk, a city icon dating back to 1701. In a very real sense, Labotessa stands in the historic heart of Cape Town.

But when Labotessa founders Johan du Plessis and Jan Fourie became the new custodians of the building, it was a shadow of its former self. After seven years of meticulous planning and heritage consultation, a reinvention of the building was approved, charting a rejuvenation of this historic gem that pays tribute to the past while embracing a contemporary future.

“Our vision for Labotessa,” says Du Plessis, “Was always to transform this into a grand hotel on the square, as you would find in the great capitals of Europe. From the first moment, we could see the potential in this building. It has such classical European charm, and it was the perfect location for a luxury boutique hotel with a personal touch.”

Du Plessis is certainly no stranger to the fine art of running luxury hotels, even if his journey began where you might least expect it. From a childhood spent on the dusty farmlands of the Free State, Du Plessis’s path whisked him to a famed hotel school in Switzerland, and a career managing luxury hotels across Europe and the United States for one of the world’s most respected hotel corporations. In the early-2000s Du Plessis brought his global expertise to Cape Town, combining international standards of service and design with the authentic hospitality the Mother City has long been famous for. The goal was simple: to create an unmatched urban boutique hotel experience in the Mother City.

“Many people assume that city hotels – whether in Cape Town or almost anywhere else – are noisy and lack atmosphere. We wanted to tick all the boxes for a more intimate experience that is subtly memorable at every touch point for guests,” explains Du Plessis.

That begins on arrival, where valet service whisks guests away from the colourful bustle of the city and into the Labotessa reception lounge, for a welcome drink and introduction to the hotel. It’s a human touch that is a hallmark of the personalised service at Labotessa.

Labotessa is an all-suite hotel offering six Signature Suites and a top-floor Presidential Suite, each with secure direct elevator access. From the elevator, guests step directly into an urban haven, where a sense of continental elegance combines with memorable city views. While each suite has its individual design touches, the holistic design language and colour scheme create a sense of character and continuity throughout Labotessa, accentuated by hand-picked artworks and bespoke furniture pieces.