Skies like this aren’t uncommon in Cape Town, especially around the change of seasons. Part of the Table Mountain National Park, this is the rump to the iconic Lion’s Head, a place of walking hiking and riding on the many trails laid out by South African National Parks…and sometimes just sitting on a bench. With the city and surrounding region getting drier each year, May is probably the best time to visit, when the south-easter has receded and the rains are yet to come. But we residents of this beautiful city are hopeful that the rain will be soaking soon, with a cold-front storm rolling in tomorrow (Wednesday) from the south Atlantic.

Down below in the V&A Waterfront, which doubles up as a harbour and the most popular tourist attraction in Africa, I found a relative gem of a hotel. Once a coal-bunker for Victorian-era steamers, the Victoria & Alfred hotel, retaining its original brick structure, is well positioned, right on the marina. The glitz and uniform design of large hotel groups I find a bit off-putting, overly ostentatious, but with its layout and design this growing group seems to have got the balance right, unfussy but the feeling of something special. Up on the hill above, around the old harbour-master’s lodgings, is a recent addition to the V&A’s smart offerings, a collection of historical buildings for families and groups – surrounding a swimming pool on a lawn and a spa – with the busyness’ of the Waterfront down below.

The guests at the V&A hotel sometimes also get views like this.

http://www.vahotel.co.za/