TRAVEL: 1 ON QUEENS

Cape Town’s warm weather had nothing on the personal reception we had waiting for us when we arrived at our destination that Saturday.

While most managers would rather be enjoying the afternoon off with family or friends, 1 on Queens’ Tomas was at the door to welcome us personally, even though we’d arrived past the check-in time.

If there’s one thing most Capetonians insist on, it’s facing water or that majestic mountain. 1 on Queens offers both to visitors. Choose to look down on Cape Town’s city and out over the ocean or absorb that massive rock from the comfort of a king size bed in a luxury room. What more could I need to feel instantly in holiday mode…

But 1 on Queens hasn’t always been a piece of boutique guesthouse paradise. The nine-room guesthouse that includes a luxury apartment was once a residential home with potential. Ursula Neidhardt transformed the Tamboerskloof property into the magnificent Tuscan villa it is today.

Nestled in a quiet neighbourhood on the slopes of Signal Hill, all rooms offer a well-stocked bar fridge that includes a choice of delicious wines, as well as tea, coffee and all the accessories a girl needs, like a hairdryer.

The large balcony with the incredible Table Mountain view outside our room became the regular late afternoon place to enjoy a glass and just relax. Our luxury room also catered for two extra people on a comfy sleeper-couch if friends couldn’t make it back to their own beds.

1 on Queens makes it really hard not to feel like you’re staying in a magic castle. My preference is usually self-catering accommodation for the freedom, but had we not seen staff and guests at breakfast, I wouldn’t have known there were other visitors or staff.

Breakfast is served in an elegant sun room and every morning we enjoyed our own personal waitress who greeted us by name and served us whatever we were hungry for. While you’re ordering downstairs, you’d never know that upstairs is bustling with ladies restoring your room to its original hotel-feel. Fridge restocked, coffee, tea and biscuits replenished, clean towels set out and belongings all neatly packed away, and, most importantly, the air con set to retain cool room temperature for when we returned from our sweltering Cape tour-day.

You can choose from four room types, each with their own reasonable rates – considering what you can pay for a night in Cape Town. For boys or girls with children, 1 on Queens also accommodates families of up to four.

Relaxation is essential for me. And you can imagine that having health and beauty services outside the door was a very attractive feature here, not to mention the private swimming pool and Tomas always on on-hand to recommend restaurants or make a booking for us when we wanted to get out.

All guests are welcomed to the B&B either by Tomas or Ursula who will greet you in German, English or Afrikaans. Both managers were always available, friendly and super knowledgeable. Urs and Tomas, and their staff, make it their job to offer additional information on their beautiful city and events to visitors. Ask them anything and if they don’t know they’ll find out and get the info to you before the end of breakfast. You can’t beat personal service and everyone at 1 on Queens takes their passion for the Mother City very seriously.

What impressed me most about our stay, and I know this is an issue with many gays and lesbians, is that I never had an awkward moment while we were there. Not once did we get side-way glances or raised eyebrows that you usually catch staff (or guests) making when they think you aren’t looking. As a gay woman on holiday with my partner, I felt comfortable, safe and welcomed by all the members of 1 of Queens… and you will too.

1 on Queens offers reasonable prices in four star graded luxury and truly fantastic, genuine, friendly service. It’s also ideally located so that the City Centre, Cape Town International Conference Centre, V&A Waterfront, Table Mountain Cable Station or the splendid beaches of Camps Bay and Clifton are literally five minutes away, in any direction. 1 on Queens is an experience that guarantees return stays. Just Google the place to find out what former guest have to say about their holidays.

1 on Queens is located at 1 Queens Rd, Tamboerskloof, Cape Town. Find out more information, rates and special offers at www.1onQueens.co.za or call 021 422-0004.