A Wild, Wild Life
Cape Town is a city where urban life and nature exist in a delicate, yet fascinating balance. Nestled between mountain and ocean, the city’s unique biodiversity thrives alongside its human inhabitants in many surprising ways.
It’s early on a Tuesday morning. On your walk, you take in the time-honoured, vivid-hued spectacle of the rising sun. You round a bend and catch a fleeting glimpse of something moving silently through the bushes that flank your path. You stop, heart racing beyond what your fitness gadget can measure, and share the briefest of moments with a slender-shaped figure. Its tawny-brown fur, large black ears and long legs identify it as the largest remaining predator in the area – a notoriously shy caracal. It’s a rare sighting, one that few locals can claim.
Cape Town is a city of contrasts, a place where the rhythm of urban life beats in sync with the whisper of the wild. Most who visit come seeking time on iconic Table Mountain or perhaps with a desire to take in the melting pot of vibrant cultures found in this place; possibly, for others, a soupçon of historic architecture. But don’t overlook Cape Town for the wildlife experience on your doorstep. Minutes from the city centre await encounters with caracals, penguins, baboons, snakes and marine giants in a union between urban sprawl and natural habitat that serves as a testament to the city’s rich biodiversity.
Room For Art
Art and luxury have always walked hand in hand in cities worldwide to elevate the guest experience. In Cape Town, this approach has taken on a unique flavour as astute establishments spotlight the work of South African artists. This, in turn, transforms the traditional hotel space into a destination where travellers unlock the city’s soul through its artists’ eyes.
“At Newmark, our individualised approach to hospitality management celebrates each hotel’s unique character through their approach to art and decor, often driven by the owner,” shares Neil Markovitz, CEO of Newmark Hotels & Reserves.
Inside The New Era Of Luxury Travel
Future Found Sanctuary luxury hotel in Cape Town offers more than just opulent accommodations, it delivers an immersive experience in nature, redefining luxury through space, privacy and authentic engagement.
It’s a balmy Wednesday evening in Cape Town, one on which ephemeral twilight rhythms inspire bouts of contemplation in a seeking soul. I navigate my way through meandering streets high above Hout Bay, a 25-minute drive from the city centre. Being new to this part of Cape Town adds a welcome sense of anticipation to my navigation. I arrive at a large black gate; as it opens, I gaze excitedly upon a sprawling mountainside retreat that sparks an instant release of butterflies in my tummy. A time of escape awaits.
Located on the back slopes of Table Mountain, Future Found Sanctuary is a luxury private mountain escape offering an intimate immersion in nature. As I make my way through the property, I contemplate the essence of luxury travel in a post-pandemic world. One where travellers hark after ever-more meaningful, immersive experiences as they seek that illusive, ultimate indulgence. And I wonder how this will play out during my stay.