There’s me, giving a 2nd floor wave
“If you can’t see a light at the end of the tunnel, build a bonfire inside it.” I love this positive approach by the Radisson RED‘s GM & Curator, Leonie Andereya, at a time in our country -read: the world – when optimism and economic tenacity is literally everything. South Africa is currently in level 3 lockdown with allowance for intra-provincial travel and I’m all over that freedom to roam and getting behind tourism campaigns like the #iamtourism #golocalfirst and #southafricaistravelready, initiated by various SA tourism entities.
GO LOCAL
My road tripping escapades started in the canola carpeted Southern Overberg region last weekend with two nights in the picturesque coastal hamlet of Arniston. This week I am bouncing between Cape Town and Franschhoek, and in two weeks time I’ll be wandering around Riebeeck Kasteel. I’m going to continue drawing awareness to as many of my favourite destinations – tourism needs and deserves it and on a personal level, travel is one of my raisons d’être, like an emotional buttress, now more than ever.
Room 203 faces the Zeitz and the Silo Hotel district. My mask is from the Cape of Good Hope SPCA by the way and can be ordered online for R160 including the courier fee- such a worthy cause
WE LOVE (little) DOGS!
The last time I was at the RED was for a sleepover with my gf Yui and her French bulldog Frankie, to take advantage of the hotel’s pet-friendly policy, something that has cemented my brand loyalty even further because, #mustlovedogs! Read about that fab experience in my Sunday Times article and next time you go on RED vacay, pack the doggo 🐶!
The RR-always ready for little dogs (size counts with your pooch- so check with the hotel before you check in with Fido)
SAFETY FIRST
As with all its brands in the Group, Radisson RED is fastidious about following strict pandemic safety protocols, going all out to ensure the customers and staff are at zero risk. Let’s face it, nothing is the same right now. Things look and feel so off and the anxiety is real but right now, it’s less about us and more about making concerted efforts to support the hospitality and tourism sectors as consistently as we can. Every cent spent is making a difference – keeping someone in work, helping a business stay alive, keeping the doors open.
LET’S RALLY!
Now is the time to rally behind those individuals and enterprises that make Cape Town not just great but EXCEPTIONAL. I want to stand alongside them, shine a light their way and champion their longevity. They not only deserve it but once we’re on the flipside of this madness, I want to know that I have somewhere to go and something to look forward to. We’re in this together.
SANITISE, & SANITISE AGAIN
RED has positioned sanitisers at all entrances and exits, hallways, walls, floors, tables and TV monitors, and in the OUIBar + KTCHN, bottles and salt and pepper cellars have been replaced by sachets. And at all times, RR staff are super attentive and go the extra mile.
It’s an all-out effort and kudos to Leonie and the RR teams for their sterling work in this regard.
WHAT TO SEE & DO IN THE VICINITY
Take in the surroundings. Bonus that you’re in the architecturally striking Silo District, an important historical zone re-magined as a high end lifestyle hub that showcases the Zeitz MOCAA museum (currently closed), the chic Silo Hotel and several eateries, coffee shops and Virgin’s Red Collection gym. Exploring from this area by bicycle (hired from Upcycles at Silo 5 ) is another stunning way to discover the Waterfront.
A few metres up the steps next to the Zeitz and across the walkway lies the Clocktower and the V&A Waterfront, where many shops have begun to trade again, albeit with reduced opening hours: 09h-18h. The V&A truly is one of the world’s best harbour-side developments, and sometimes just doing a walkabout is enough.
The Victoria & Alfred basin
The Radisson RED is the ideal base for a memorable Cape Town staycation. The Mother City and South Africa is travel ready and waiting to welcome you – see you soon and stay safe! 🤩
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