Find your bliss… Best described as a peaceful breathing space away from it all, the newly launched Bliss Boutique Hotel is the ideal ante-dote to frantic city living. However, thanks to its close proximity to Cape Town’s central city, it’s ideally located for guests wishing to explore – as voted by international Travel+Leisure magazine – one of the ten best cities in the world.
The calm location of Bliss Boutique Hotel’s natural Fynbos reserve and vast stretch of sandy white beach, means expansive sea views from a different perspective. The Atlantic Seaboard may be popular, but busy hotels mean guests jostle for space – and peace – along this crowded strip. Sunset Beach however, looks onto Table Bay – as well as the beautiful Atlantic Ocean – but is far more tranquil. However it’s still adventure-packed; world-renowned for kite surfing and wind surfing, both activities are literally on Bliss Boutique Hotel’s doorstep. It also boasts views of significant South African landmarks; the glorious Table Mountain and on a clear day, you’ll see Robben Island across the bay. For nature-lovers, the Rietvlei Wetland surrounding Sunset Beach is rich with bird life and best enjoyed from a comfortable deck chair on the property’s rooftop.
The hotel’s interior is a visual delight too; the sophisticated décor is modern, elegant and minimalist however injected with strikingly colourful artwork by Micheala Rinaldi and design elements, all of which have been locally sourced.
All eight of the luxurious rooms are stocked with specific delicious and thoughtfully considered mini bar snacks. Each room has a 40 inch HDTV, DSTV decoder with full bouquet of channels, separate speaker system, Nespresso Machine, electronic safe, telephone, individual air-conditioning, full internet access and there’s room service on demand. Outside, guests can enjoy the relaxing and secluded pool area, with a swimming and splash pool, surrounded by a wooden deck.
And because the views are so spectacular, sundowners sipped in hammock chairs on the viewing deck provides instant calm. So too does the private beach accessed with a room card, a magnificent backdrop to a meal alfresco.
Dining is a food lover’s delight at Bliss Boutique Hotel, and the contemporary styled bar and restaurant boasts a carefully crafted and locally inspired menu cooked by in-house Chef, Dean Correira. The space allows visitors to take full advantage of the property’s prime positioning too – an expansive view of Cape Town’s natural beauty from a different and unspoiled perspective.
Cooking for seven years, talented Chef Dean Correia is now at the helm of Bliss Boutique Hotel’s beautifully appointed restaurant, Beach & Bites, overlooking Sunset Beach’s expansive ocean. Open to non-residents too. The restaurant promises a superb eating experience in a stylish and contemporary setting. A graduate of the Institute of Culinary Arts (ICA) in Stellenbosch, Chef Dean has worked at leading Cape Town restaurants as well in the Caribbean where his personal journey of food alchemy began. “It’s there that I started experimenting with exotic flavours – like tropical fruits – something I’m now doing at Beach & Bites, our restaurant at BLISS Boutique Hotel” His love of Asian food is also inspiring his current style.
On his carefully crafted menu, diners will find delectable dishes like Thai prawn and crab steam pot with sweet corn and fresh bread as well more traditional but equally delicious fare, like beer batter fish and chips with homemade tartar sauce. Chef Dean’s approach to the menu he’s developed is “fresh flavoursome fusion, with a little bit of everything.” From the bread served (freshly baked everyday by Chef Dean), to the excellent seafood, everything on the menu is fresh and locally sourced.
The food experience isn’t confined to just the restaurant space; eat on the rooftop deck, next to the hotel’s perpetually sunny pool or even on the beach. “I want to give guests an emotional connection to the food they’ve eaten; a real memory to look back on or something to look forward to again,” explains Chef Dean. Part of this experience is engaging with guests; the open kitchen and personally presented food means Chef Dean is on hand to connect with diners about his thoughtfully prepared dishes. Open seven days a week, simply call to make a booking for breakfast or dinner as Chef Dean’s menu can be enjoyed throughout the day. Beach & Bites is open for private dining, private events or functions too.
