Tintswalo Atlantic – Heaven on Earth….

Treat yourself to a thoroughly luxurious and unforgettable experience at one of South Africa’s (that’s right, not just Cape Town’s!) most acclaimed destinations.

The word ‘Tintswalo’ is said to mean ‘the intangible feeling of love, warmth and gratitude you bestow upon someone who has given you a worthy and meaningful gift’. Anyone who treats their loved ones – or themselves – to the luxury of Tintswalo Atlantic is bound to experience that particular feeling.

This lavish establishment is situated off the scenic Chapman’s Peak Drive (and boasts the distinction of being the only hotel situated within the boundaries of Table Mountain National Park). Tintswalo Atlantic is rated five stars, has won numerous awards and has been featured in National Geographic’s Prestigious Luxury Collection. Tintswalo Atlantic’s suites are themed based on various islands, and have views of the Sentinel Mountains and the Atlantic Ocean.

Overnighting at Tintswalo usually starts from R10 780 per night per suite, but those of us who want a taste of the luxury without attaching quite that price tag on the experience can feast on a meal at the hotel’s exquisite restaurant.

The restaurant features an open-plan kitchen, which makes this a particularly appealing venue for self-proclaimed foodies and keen home cooks, as you are able to see your food being prepared, and discuss it with the restaurant’s executive chef (a Cape Town boy who spent many years traversing the globe before coming to Tintswalo) and his marvellous team.

Given it forms an official part of the hotel, Tintswalo’s restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Unusually, breakfast (R280pp) is served in three courses, with a wide range of staples and favourites on offer (such as gluttonous amounts of pastries, cold meats, smoked salmon and cheeses), as well as daily hot breakfast specials.

This ever-changing special is a trademark of the restaurant – the lunch and dinner menu at Tintswalo changes every single day. This means that accommodations can be made for almost all dietary needs (as long as you’ve let them know when you made reservations). It also allows Tintswalo to ensure the quality of each particular meal’s individual ingredients, and to source only fresh, environmentally sustainable foods.

Lunch is a three-course set menu (though guests are given several choices per course), and costs R490pp and includes a bottle of wine per two people sharing (this is the current special price, and will go up once the weather gets warmer). Seafood aficionados can expect to have their heart’s – and, more importantly, tastebuds’ – desires met, as past options have included Thai coconut mussels, Japanese chilli-cured salmon, and scallop and seaweed velouté. There is no need to worry, though, since those who prefer meat or vegetarian dishes are always handsomely catered for.

When it is time for dinner, the menu changes again and can either be a three-course meal (priced the same as the lunch special) or a five-course extravaganza (which costs R750pp, excluding wine). Again, dishes are constantly changing and never fail to excite each one of the senses.

If the above didn’t intrigue you, the hotel’s Winter Special just might. Until the end of August, Capetonians can experience the full opulence of Tintswalo for just R7000 per couple per night. This includes board in one of the luxury suites, a five-course dinner, a bottle of house wine and the fantastic breakfast! It is the perfect place to mark a special occasion, such as an anniversary or the start of a honeymoon.

Call 011 300 8888 for bookings or enquiries about the Winter Special, or 021 201 0025 to chat directly to the restaurant. Or check out their website http://tintswalo.com/atlantic