‘You can do anything here, except walk around naked,’ Peter Zeeuw says smiling as he reaches out to pour another glass of ‘welcome’ bubbly. He and business partner, Leen Filius, are the proud owners of the urban-chic Boutique Manolo, an inspiring boutique hotel nestled at the base of Signal Hill in Cape Town on a quiet cul-de-sac.
Brave Statement
It is a brave statement to make, especially when your eyes encounter the minimalist white interior – white walls, white soft linen, white carpets. Of course, it is offset by remarkable splodges of bright colour found in the kitchen, in the paintings on the walls and most especially in the garden. Who knew that behind the peppermint green walls of the exterior is a world that completely refreshes the mind – a silent 'ahhh' and your heartbeat slows down.
From the large windows and glass balustrades that are in each room, the view is magnificent. In front of you is the green umbrella of thick forestry in the suburbs of Tamboerskloof, Gardens and Oranjezicht. To your left is the view of
Secret Hideaways
Down the steep stairs from the rooms, you pass the glass Koi pond where flashes of yellow, orange, blue rush past and sometimes they stop to ogle you as you do them. Leen’s dog, which stays on the property, follows close behind, used to the narrow staircase. A red pool beckons from the garden surface. Deck chairs and fresh towels tempt you to enjoy the warm sun and tranquil natural surroundings.
There are secret hideaways, sexy alcoves nestled in parts of the garden, built in a spherical shape with large thick cushions. Here you can sit enjoying the birds singing, or take your laptop to work in the open or simply enjoy the next glass of bubbly.
Private World
Even though Leen lives on the property in the hotel’s penthouse, there is no sense of intrusion. The staff is very friendly with open smiling faces and very helpful. All four rooms that make up the hotel, sans the penthouse, have their own privacy, even if there is a communal staircase from the entrance hall and kitchen. At the bottom of the staircase is a wine cellar built into the wall and protected by glass.
The only thing the four rooms have in common is the white interior, but each has been decorated to individual style. Each room has an en suite bathroom, wireless connection, under-floor heating, entertainment system and air-conditioning. The wall paintings are all different, expressing the individualistic style of the room. One room has an outdoor shower for a bit of fun-filled flavour, while another creates a sense of play with the yellow toy ducks. Even the numbering of the rooms 100, 200, 300 and 400 enhances a different expression.
It’s Your Home
Breakfast is included in the rates and is served in the breakfast room under the view of a large baby mural. A quaint choice of breads, cold meats and hot breakfast are all on offer. Even the cutlery has stylistic expression.
It becomes easy to understand why Peter said all things can be done here. One gets the sense that they must be done. It’s your home, in truth, isn’t it?
