The Last Word Constantia manages to live up to its name. After all, it’s rather bold – some might say arrogant – to stake a claim to the last word.  It suggests perfection… or as close to it as you are going to get in the hospitality industry. The Last Word Constantia gets pretty darn close.

Preparation for your stay at The Last Word begins long before you step into the boutique hotel in the leafy suburb of Constantia.  A brief pre-check-in questionnaire ensures that any dietary requirements are met, allergens are avoided, and you have the bedding of your choice. Check-in itself is actually a pleasant experience – instead of filling in forms at a reception counter, you are taken to a light and spacious lounge where you are offered tea and chocolate cake while you fill in the forms at your leisure.

It takes a few moments to acclimatize to the serenity of the place, but once you seem suitably relaxed, you’ll be shown to your room. Calling it a room is a bit of a misnomer since it occupies the space of a small apartment. Expect an entire lounge and dining area – complete with a television that puts all other televisions to shame – and a bathroom the size of most hotel rooms. The rooms, which are tastefully decorated, include artistic flourishes that make them unique. The bathroom of the room I stayed in included a large open shower in front of a spectacular garden-scene mosaic.

While the hotel itself is beautiful, it is the attention to detail – from the mini-dessert that comes with the turndown service to the 300-thread count cotton linen – that really sets The Last Word apart. As can be expected of an establishment that has been a finalist in the category of Africa’s Leading Boutique Hotel (World Travel Awards) for the past five years, the service is discreet and attentive.

If you can bear to leave your room, a short drive (perhaps using the services of the in-house chauffeur) will get you to world-class wine estates such as Klein Constantia, Groot Constantia and Buitenverwagten. The hotel is also conveniently close to the famous Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens and some of Cape Town’s best golf courses – Steenberg, Westlake, and Royal Cape.