Labotessa | Cape Town
Nestled in the vibrant city centre of Cape Town, surrounded by the cobbled historic district of Church Square, the Labotessa Boutique Hotel is surrounded by a number of architecturally impressive buildings. Luxury with a personal and individual touch - that is what is at the heart of each of the city hotel's spectacular suites. Each individual room has been carefully designed to reflect the uniqueness of the urban environment, combining bold tones and textures, fine contemporary furniture and bespoke, handcrafted details. Amenities include air conditioning, internet, a free minibar, tea selection and Nespresso coffee service, LED TV and underfloor heating for a cosy ambience.
When visiting the Café & Terrace, the hotel's on-site restaurant, guests can explore a menu designed to seduce and delight through inventive flavour combinations. Weather permitting, guests can take advantage of the seating areas on the cobbled terrace facing Church Square.
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THE CROWNING GLORY… WELCOME TO THE TOP
A one-of-a-kind, prestigious Presidential suite that separates life from supreme living.
Three en-suite bedrooms with king and queen beds, and complimentary diptyque Paris products
The understatedly glamorous 310sqm Presidential suite introduces a strong case for personal luxury experiences, which balances the functionality, comfort, and convenience of home with the best of luxury hotel living.
The Presidential Suite I Fully fitted SMEG kitchen I Filled with art and beautiful aesthetics | Netflix subscription included | DSTV subscription included | Sonos Sound system
High ceilings and generous proportions set the stage for the European inspired but globally aesthetic 65 sqm Signature Suites.
The rich palate of colours is both modern and timeless, inviting sophisticated elegance.
Limited Edition Luxury
A limited number of only 6 all-grand Signature Suites are available, ranging from 65 sqm, direct elevator access and all with panoramic views over Lions Head, Slave Lodge, Groote Kerk, Company Gardens and Church Square. | Netflix subscription included | DSTV subscription included | Sonos Sound system
Property Facilities
Activity Desk, Communal Dining, Malaria Free, Mobile Connectivity, Restaurant, Secure Parking, Vegetarian
Room Facilities
Air Conditioning, Clothes Press, Complimentary Wi-Fi, Detached Private Bathroom, Electrical Outlets, Fan, Fridge, Heated Towel Rails, Internet Access (Complimentary), Iron / Ironing Board, Laundry Facilities, Laundry Service (Available), Lounge Area, Mini Bar (Complimentary), Mini Bar, Pure Cotton Linen, Safe, Shower, Tea / Coffee, Television, Underfloor Heating, Wheelchair Friendly
Available Services
24-hour Security, Airport Shuttle (Available), Credit Card Facilities, Foreign Exchange, Laundry Service (Available), Meal on Request, Private Vehicle (Available), Room Service, Travel Desk
Activities Nearby
Adrenaline Activities, Art Galleries, Beach, Boat Cruises, Child Friendly Activities, Cooking Courses, Cultural Tours, Cycling, Deep Sea Fishing, Fishing, Garden Tours, General Sightseeing, Golf, Health and Fitness Centre, Helicopter Rides, Helicopter Scenic Flights, Hiking, Historical Tours, Kayaking / Paddling, Mountain Biking, Museums, Para Sailing, Paragliding, Scenic Flights, Scuba Diving, Sea Kayaking, Sky Diving, Surfing, Tennis Court, Walks (Guided), Walks (Self Guided), Wine Tasting
Step into a world of timeless elegance where our Diptyque fragrances and TWG teas await. Indulge in a couple of bubbles as we welcome you into the beautiful Diptyque space.
Accompanied by a selection of delicate finger sandwiches, freshly baked scones with rose and strawberry jam, homemade brownies, and our beautiful artisanal macarons.
Our tea experiences are inspired by Diptyque fragrances and TWG teas. Sit back and enjoy a special moment, as we take you on a journey of the senses at Labotessa.
ON YOUR DOORSTEP
Company’s Garden | Greenmarket Square | Clifton | Camps Bay | Table Mountain Signal Hill | Lions Head | Robben Island | Cape of Good Hope | Kirstenbosch Gardens Constantia Vineyards | V&A Waterfront and many more historical, exciting and interesting places to explore
Mobile spa experience.
Café & Terrace
Open daily from 08h00 until 16h00
Renowned for its out-of-this-world Eggs Benedict, all-day breakfasts, and fresh juice selection, the eatery also enjoys a reputation for delectable baked goods, homemade jams, and a daytime menu with dishes made from ethically-sourced, organic ingredients. Dutch Appeltaart and cream is one of the most ordered treats.
Situated on the ground floor with an attractive Mezzanine seating area, the Café spills out onto the cobbled Terrace fronting Church Square. Open to both guests and the public, it is always abuzz with locals and visitors to our city.
Whether one is people-watching, having a morning meeting, or perusing the newspapers, this is Cape Town Café society at its vivacious best! Guests can enjoy local beer, wine and snacks at the Café & Terrace until the sun sets over the charming Square.
We do not take reservations, operating on a first-come-first-served basis. Hotel guests have priority to the Café and Terrace.
Our Labotessa kitchen operates from 08h00 until 16h00. However, drinks and snacks are available in our Café or on our Terrace until 20h00.
Your Stay
3 Nights
Bed and Breakfast
Fast Facts
5 Stars
Hotel
Spoken Languages: Afrikaans, Dutch, English, Flemish, German, Spanish
No. Rooms: 7
Special Interests: Beach / Coastal, Flora, Golf, Hiking, History & Culture, Indigenous Culture / Art, Leisure, Nature, Relaxation, Shopping, Wine
Motse, Tswalu | Tswalu
Tswalu's the Motse, nestles at the foot of the Korannaberg mountains, with views across the grasslands of the Kalahari. Motse consists of secluded “legae” (meaning “little house”) or suites, built of local stone, rich red clay and traditional Kalahari thatch. Each suite comprises a spacious bedroom with an open fireplace, an en-suite bathroom with both indoor and outdoor shower, a large dressing and study area, and a private sun deck overlooking a waterhole. The main house is a spectacular space, with elevated decks and elegant lounges. An infinity pool offers an endless view over the savannahs and a secluded spa is designed to complete your total relaxation. The Motse includes Horseback Riding, Game Drives, Bush Walks with a skilled guide, and a visit to see the Meerkats. The reserve offers a diverse range of wildlife species including the rarely spotted pangolin and aardvark. The Tswalu Foundation supports conservation and sustainability in the area with a research centre and various community programmes.
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A ‘village’ of just nine houses (three of which feature a second bedroom for children), The Motse captures the soul of the Kalahari in its design and materials. Private spaces flow effortlessly into waterhole views and beyond to the savannah.
The architecture of The Motse aligns beautifully with Nature to create moments of warmth and coolness, seclusion and shared memories. Bedrooms are illuminated by the sun rising over the ridge behind The Motse, and indigenous trees create pools of shadow. Each space at The Motse invites you in, just as Tswalu beckons you to explore and investigate your surroundings.
Room Facilities
Air Conditioning, Bath Towels, Bath, Bed Linen, Complimentary Wi-Fi, Dressing Gowns, En Suite Bathroom, Ensuite, Fan, Fridge, Hairdryer, Hand Towels, Internet Access (Complimentary), Laundry Service (Available), Lounge Area, Lounge, Mini Bar (Complimentary), Mosquito Netting, Outside Shower, Pure Cotton Linen, Safe, Sala, Shower, Telephone, Verandah, Wardrobe
Luxury is a given when you are on safari at Tswalu. At The Motse, just 18 adults are accommodated in nine individual legae (suites) made from desert sand, rock and thatch, with every comfort imaginable – open fireplaces, outdoor showers, private sun decks, spacious living areas, separate dressing and study areas and wireless internet.
We have three family legae (suites) which have 2 en-suite bedrooms separated by a large lounge and deck.
At the main lodge elevated decks around the freeform pool, allow panoramic views of the surrounding Kalahari landscapes, and a waterhole popular with wildlife. A spacious lounge and dining area, library, spa, fully-equipped gym, impressive wine cellar and traditional boma complete the luxury facilities.
Room Facilities
Air Conditioning, Balcony / Deck, Bath Towels, Bath, Bed Linen, Complimentary Wi-Fi, Dressing Gowns, Electrical Outlets, En Suite Bathroom, Ensuite, External Shower, Fan, Fireplace, Fridge, Hairdryer, Hand Towels, Internet Access (Complimentary), Laundry Service (Available), Lounge Area, Lounge, Mini Bar (Complimentary), Mini Bar, Mosquito Nets, Mosquito Netting, Outside Shower, Private Lounge / Sitting Area, Pure Cotton Linen, Safe, Sala, Shower, Telephone, Twin Bed, Verandah, Wardrobe
Property Facilities
Accept Credit Cards, Air conditioner, Baby Sitting, Bar, Children Friendly, Credit Card Facilities, Eco Friendly, Gym / Fitness Centre, Gym on property, Internet Access (Complimentary), Kiddies Club, Laundry Service, Library, Malaria Free, Meal On Request, Mobile Connectivity, Outdoor Pool / Pool Deck, Pool, Power Generator , Restaurant, Room Service, Spa, Vegetarian
Room Facilities
Air Conditioning, Balcony / Deck, Bath, Complimentary Wi-Fi, Disabled Rooms, Dressing Gowns, Fan, Fireplace, Fridge, Heated Towel Rails, Internet Access (Complimentary), Laundry Service (Available), Laundry Service (Complimentary), Lounge Area, Lounge, Mini Bar (Complimentary), Mini Bar, Mosquito Nets, Mosquito Netting, Outside Shower, Pure Cotton Linen, Safe, Sala, Shower, Tea / Coffee, Verandah
Available Services
24-hour Security, Disability, Laundry Service (Complimentary), Private Vehicle (Available), Room Service
Activities on Site
Bird Watching, Game Drives, Game Viewing, Game Walks, Gourmet Picnic, Helicopter Scenic Flights, High Tea, Horse Riding, Massages, Night Drives, Safaris, Sleep Outs, Walks (Guided)
Activities Nearby
Bird Watching, Game Drives, Game Viewing, Game Walks, Horse Riding, Safaris
Game drives are tailored to each guest and led by highly skilled guides and trackers trained in the ecology of the southern Kalahari. Exclusive access to the reserve ensures sightings are quiet and unrushed, with no competition from other vehicles. Guests are free to spend as much time as they wish observing animal behaviour, tracking movements, or simply absorbing the vastness of the landscape.
Immersive bush walks offer a slower, more intimate way to experience the Kalahari. Led by expert field guides, these walks focus on observation and interpretation — what guides describe as “reading the newspaper” of the reserve. Tracks in the sand, the scent of a tree in seasonal change, and subtle changes in the land reveal stories of movement, interaction, and survival. These walks invite guests to engage with the environment through all the senses, discovering how much life and meaning is held in every detail. For safety reasons, immersive bush walks are available to guests aged 16 years and older. Younger guests are invited to participate in specially designed, age-appropriate nature experiences as part of the Junior Ranger Programme. These include guided children’s walks, spoor identification, track casting and hands-on learning activities — offering a safe and engaging introduction to bush skills and wildlife interpretation.
Tswalu’s vast semi-arid landscape supports a remarkable diversity of birdlife, with more than 260 species recorded across the reserve. Guided birding experiences — from early-morning walks to focused drives — reveal iconic Kalahari species such as sandgrouse, bee-eaters, sociable weavers, and a variety of raptors and desert specialists. Birding at Tswalu offers both rewarding sightings and a deeper understanding of the southern Kalahari’s unique ecosystems, making it a compelling addition to the safari experience.
Tswalu is home to three habituated meerkat colonies, offering exceptional opportunities to observe these charismatic animals at close range. Early-morning visits to their burrows allow guests to watch daily routines unfold naturally without disrupting their behaviour.
Exploring Tswalu on horseback offers a rare sense of freedom and connection with the landscape, allowing riders to move quietly through the Kalahari and experience the reserve from a different perspective. Horseback riding at Tswalu is offered to intermediate and advanced riders only. Each ride is led by an experienced horse guide and supported by a backup rider, both equipped with a radio and a comprehensive first aid kit. Riders must be comfortable at trot and canter and able to control a horse independently. The weight limit is 100 kg. Trail saddles are used as standard, with a limited number of English saddles available on request.
With minimal light pollution and dry, crystalline air, the southern Kalahari offers some of South Africa’s clearest night skies. Stargazing may take place from a private deck, during an evening pause on a game drive, or from a chosen lookout in the dunes. Guides help identify constellations and share stories linked to the stars, from Southern Hemisphere astronomy to cultural interpretations rooted in local Kalahari tradition.
Tswalu’s photographic safaris offer a highly tailored way to capture the wildlife, landscapes and light of the southern Kalahari. Each booking includes a purpose-adapted photographic safari vehicle and a specialist photographic guide providing practical field assistance and tuition, supported by a tracker. Two hours of informal, classroom-style tuition and assistance with post editing in Adobe Lightroom in Motse’s Photographic Studio. This experience caters to photographers of all levels, from enthusiastic beginners to seasoned professionals, and offers a rare opportunity to refine skills in an exceptional wilderness setting.
- Available at an additional cost per day
- Advance booking is essential
- Minimum commitment of two days required
- Best suited for 1-2 guests per vehicle
Guests may visit ancient San engraving sites protected within the reserve. Tswalu provides protection for many valuable rock art sites, featuring rock engravings (petroglyphs), cupules and paintings of people, animals, birds, and abstract shapes that document the culture and history of the San and other early inhabitants of Tswalu. Guided visits reveal the cultural and spiritual significance of this landscape, offering a powerful reminder of the deep human history embedded in the Kalahari.
One of Tswalu’s unique experiences is starlit dune dining, set atop one of the reserve’s quiet red sand dunes. As the sun sinks behind the Korannaberg mountains, guests gather for an open air dinner shaped by seasonal ingredients, local flavours and the warmth of a wood-fired barbecue. Lantern light, star-studded Kalahari skies and the surrounding silence create an atmosphere found nowhere else, making each dune dinner an intimate celebration of place.
The Spa and Gym at The Motse provide both relaxation and stimulation for body and mind, with inspiration coming from the savannah views and the use of organic materials both in the construction of this space, and in the spa treatments.
The Tswalu Foundation exists primarily to support ecological research at Tswalu. Through accumulating a growing body of quality output on the fauna, flora and the unique habitat of the southern Kalahari we have been able to make informed conservation management decisions to better support our shared vision.
This information has been made freely available to our neighbours and other interested parties so that, as we seek to add to our shared understanding of this rich and diverse landscape, they too can care for their land in the best long-term interests of the wildlife and people of the Kalahari.
During your stay at Tswalu, you’ll have the opportunity to interact with researchers studying both iconic and more obscure species and witness scientific conservation in progress.
A balmy summer night is a perfect time to sleep under the stars in the middle of the Kalahari. The Malori is Tswalu’s under canvas experience with comfortable beds, an open-air bathroom and a spacious deck area for dining, dreaming and stargazing.
Whether reserved for romance or for family bonding time, a Malori sleep-out is about tuning out so that you can soak up the solitude, tune into the silence and count shooting stars. With comfortable beds, an open-air bathroom and a spacious deck area for dining, dreaming and stargazing, the tent is perfect for two but spacious enough to invite the family. The Malori sleep-out is one of those once-in-a-lifetime experiences you will never forget.
A night at Malori needs to be booked in advance, carries an additional cost, and is offered subject to availability and prevailing weather conditions.
Children are welcome at Tswalu and the reserve is well equipped to cater for them. Tswalu believes that they too can be part of the conservation vision.
The youngsters will be introduced to the Junior Ranger programme and given a backpack with guides and tools to help them learn about the Kalahari. During their stay they will make their own bow and arrow for archery, learn how to identify spoor, and track game on foot.
In between game walks and drives there are activities at The Motse specially designed to occupy the kids while mom and dad relax. Tswalu’s stables will create a special “pony camp” for any child who shares their passion for horses. There is no malaria in this part of the Kalahari and the pool is a big attraction. They can chat to the rangers, decorate cup cakes and even cook their own bush dinner in the special children’s boma. A separate children’s menu caters for their individual tastes.
Babysitters can be arranged for younger children if parents want time alone.
From a late breakfast at the pool, a picnic in the dunes, a feast in the boma, or sundowners and snacks on your private deck... guests will delight in the delicious gourmet meals prepared by Executive Chef Marnus Scholly.
Every moment of every meal at Tswalu reflects the culinary heritage of South Africa and is carefully designed to be as inclusive as possible. Sustainability is key: we forage for Kalahari ingredients and work with local suppliers who share our low-impact ethos.
We believe that luxury is found in contextual, relevant flavours rather than wasteful over-abundance. Our food offering helps tell the story of Tswalu – it’s inspired by and captures the essence of the Kalahari.
Working in partnership with Michelin-starred South African chef Jan Hendrik van der Westhuizen, our chefs look to reinterpret the flavours they find around them and create unique taste touchpoints at every turn. Our choice of ingredients is only half the story; the context from which they come and in which they are served completes the picture.
Tswalu offers a number of dining options for guests who can dine indoors or out, in the dining room or at the pool deck, and can enjoy their meals at times that suit them.
Tswalu's wine list has been carefully selected from the best South African wines available and guests will enjoy the food and wine pairing menus.
All guests now have the once in a lifetime opportunity to experience Restaurant Klein JAN.
Boscia House Pop-up is a heritage-inspired dining experience located in a restored early-1900s farmhouse. Interactive and intimate, Boscia House offers a seven-course tasting menu inspired by the surrounding landscape, made using hyper-local, seasonal ingredients and paired with carefully selected wines.
Your Stay
3 Nights
Fully Inclusive - Bed, All Meals, Fees and Activities
All Drinks (excl Premium Brands) Included
Fast Facts
5 Stars
Lodge
Spoken Languages: English
No. Rooms: 9
Special Interests: Adventure, Birding, Flora, Gourmet, Hiking, Leisure, Nature, Relaxation, Star Gazing, Wildlife, Wine
