Corner Century Boulevard and Rialto Road, Century City, Milnerton 8000, South Africa
Amenities:
Air Conditioning, Babysitting, Banquet Hall, Bar/Lounge, Business Center, Concierge, Conference Center, Conference Room, Fitness Center, Free High-Speed Internet, Free Parking, Hot Tub, In-room safe, Internet, Laundry Service, Meeting Rooms, Minibar, Multilingual Staff, Non-Smoking, Parking, Refrigerator in room, Restaurant, Room Service, Satellite TV, Self-Serve Laundry, Shuttle Bus Service, Spa, Suites, Swimming Pool, Wheelchair Access, Wifi
Expert Review
Century City, being quite a way outside the city centre and nowhere near the beach, might seem like an odd...
Century City, being quite a way outside the city centre and nowhere near the beach, might seem like an odd spot for a holiday. And it’s true that the Crystal Towers is generally thought of more as a business hotel than a vacation destination: it has a sizeable business park and the hotel’s conference facilities are excellent. But it’s not only suited to business travellers. In fact, families are well catered-for here, not least because of the hotel’s location next to Ratanga Junction (Cape Town’s rollercoaster-filled theme park) and the stores, movie theatre and family-friendly restaurants in the enormous Canal Walk mall. The hotel itself makes a definite effort to welcome families, not only providing the usual cots and high chairs, but also throwing in treats like a free baby shirt proclaiming “I only stay in luxury hotels.”
The fuchsia lighting is a touch on the garish side and in some of the rooms, natural light is an enviable commodity. Up on the pool terrace though, the vista of Table Mountain has been used to its full advantage, the landmark being framed by a vast picture window (the walls and windows surrounding the pool also help to combat the wind, which can be strong in this part of town). Cocktails on comfy couches around the pool make for a fine start to your stay, or there’s a quirky bar in the lobby with two lounges sporting South African themes.
The hotel’s restaurant is open-plan and makes you feel like you’re dining out in the lobby, but adjoining the hotel is Knife, a well-respected steak house inspired by American eateries. As well as superb steaks, there’s ribs, chicken wings and well-priced local micro-brewed beer on tap. There’s also a 24-hour deli serving up sushi and a wide range of sweet treats, in case an attack of the munchies occurs in the early hours.
The spa offers a wide range of treatments and guests are welcome to use the sauna and steam room free of charge. Perhaps what stands out the most though is the smiling service, whether it’s when you’re checking in and sipping a glass of sparkling wine, enjoying the fairly lavish breakfast buffet or working off some of that late night cake in the gym.