The Cole

There’s plenty of new energy on the streets of Sea Point, and where there aren’t new stores and eateries opening up, there are cranes laying the foundations for them.

Sea Point’s hotel scene has been quietly levelling up over the past few years, with The Cole easily the most exciting new addition to this corner of the Atlantic Seaboard.

This five-star boutique hotel is part of the Kove Collection, which also runs The Marly in Camps Bay and The Alphen in Constantia, and brings their signature sense of understated style across both the rooms and public areas. 

Set just off Beach Road, it’s close enough to the Promenade to slip out for a morning jog, or to join the swimmers doing laps at the Sea Point Pavilion swimming pool.

Location aside, the building itself – by acclaimed local architect Robert Silke –  is also a looker. With its ocean-facing aspect, sinuous curves and a muted palette, the design narrative is a nod to mid-century Tropical Modernism.

Why stay at The Cole?

Let’s start with the location. Half a block down? The Sea Point Promenade. One kilometre stroll along? The Saunders Rock tidal pool and some of the best sunsets in town. Half-a-block uphill? Sea Point Main Road buzzes with restaurants, bars and boutiques. Beach day? Hop an Uber or the MyCiti public bus service to Clifton or Camps Bay. Want urban vibes? Do the same in the other direction to the city centre and V&A Waterfront.  

What are the rooms like?

The Cole offers four categories of rooms, across Classic, Deluxe and Superior, with a choice of Sea-Facing or Mountain-Facing on offer. Of course, the smart move is the Sea-Facing, with even entry-level Classic rooms enjoying private balconies with (oblique) sea views. 

Time Out Tip: Ask for a room on a higher floor. It’ll help avoid the worst of the road noise (Sea Point is lively on weekends) and offers better sea views.

Beyond the rooms, there are also eight Sea-Facing Suites, which offer more living space, including a separate dressing room, a larger bedroom, and a lounge area. The bathroom also expands to offer both a deep bathtub and the rain shower you’ll find in the rooms.

You can dial up your living space to fit your budget, but what’s common to all rooms and suites is quiet sophistication. A muted colour palette that immediately puts you in holiday mode. Organic tones and textures (take your shoes off to really enjoy the plush carpets). A Marshall speaker for holiday tunes. A fridge stocked with complimentary water and proper milk for your morning coffee. Sliding doors let in an abundance of natural light, while balconies are cleverly angled to maximise sea views. Because, this is Sea Point, and front-row sea views are in short supply.

Rooms offer all the in-room comforts and mod-cons you’d expect from a boutique address: king-size extra-length beds in quality linen, air conditioning, smart TV, international plug points, and a Nespresso machine. You get the picture. The Marshall Bluetooth speaker is a nice touch, and you’ll covet the fragrant bathroom amenities: Kove Collection’s signature “Echo” range. 

What is the service like?

Because The Cole is new, service was sharp and eager on my visit. Friendly without being fawning. On-the-ball, but not brusque. I liked it. Service in the restaurant (more on that in a bit) was equally good, with knowledgeable wait-staff doing an admirable job of keeping the plates flowing despite a full house.  

What is the food like?

Not so fast, let's talk drinks. 

A nice touch at check-in is a voucher for a complimentary cocktail at Script, the ground-floor bar. It’s an equally stylish spot, with a creative cocktail menu that makes for the perfect aperitif before dinner at Figo (or perhaps a nightcap after).

Just weeks after opening, Figo was packed on my Friday night visit. Set up on the ninth floor, tables near the front have glorious views across the Promenade and Table Bay. The menu leans towards upmarket Mediterranean plates: seasonal, and fired by flame. Fresh semolina pasta, seafood and meats cooked over wood and coal make up most of the dishes, and even if you’re not staying at the hotel.

That view is part of the price point, and you’ll want to choose carefully if you’re looking for value-for-money. Some pasta plates fell flat, and the crab arancini (here billed as 'crab risotto fritter', but with very little crab) weren’t worth the R195 price tag. A bucatini carbonara was a better bet, with crispy shards of guanciale, and other diners rave about the steak cuts and wood-fired pizzetta. The wine list runs to a collection of Cape estates, as well as the Kove Collection’s own range. Their Chenin is from the cellar of ‘Chenin King’ Ken Forrester, and is worth ordering.

Breakfast for in-house guests is also served in Figo, and a nice touch here is that it’s all à la carte, with a choice of cold (fruit bowls, granola, pastries) and hot (smashed avo, eggs Benedict) plates.   

What activities are available?

Beyond exploring all that’s on the doorstep, your choices here are rooftop or spa.

The rooftop pool on the ninth floor (resident guests only) offers plenty of loungers and decent sea and mountain views, and it’s a fine spot to end off a day of sightseeing. You can order cocktails and light meals here, and the cooler box filled with ice and complimentary water is a nice touch.

Downstairs, The Cole Spa is your go-to for a bit of R&R, or when the weather’s no good.

There are four cosy treatment rooms and an extensive menu of body and facial treatments. I chose the Urban Reset and walked away feeling well and truly rebooted. The spa uses QMS Medicosmetics, Bellabaci, and Bio Sculpture products, and if your treatments cost more than R1500, you’ll get to use the thermal suite too. 

Anything else to look at?

Boutique Marly at The Cole stocks a curated line-up of resortwear brands.

Why you should book a stay at The Cole

During my stay, what struck me was the no-stress sense of flow. You can start quietly (coffee on the balcony, a simple reset at the spa), then gradually let the hotel become more social as the day warms up – cocktails downstairs, a rooftop meal at sunset – without ever needing to get in a car.

The Cole is ideal for travellers (and locals on staycation) who want a strong sense of place with sophistication. Throw in Sea Point’s everyday pleasures, and you have all the makings of a memorable stay.