Nelson Mandela and Sol Kerzner
Nelson Mandela and Sol Kerzner

CAPE TOWN, Apr 4, 2009 / — Created exclusively for the luxury resort market, One&Only Resorts are conceived as hallmarks of excellence, and, its creator Sol Kerzner is finally taking it home. Last Thursday, April 2, One&Only Capetown celebrated its gala opening attended by the Hollywood glitterati. The next day, April 3, the luxury resort was open to the public.

But, Wednesday, April 1, before the maddening crowd arrived, Nelson Mandela, the man credited for ending apartheid in South Africa and the country’s first President to be elected in a fully representative democratic election, serving in the office from 1994–99, visited the resort and had an intimate luncheon at Maze, celebrating his long standing relationship with Sol Kerzner.

The presence of the 90-year old South African hero is poetic and fitting for the event. Since the democratic elections of 1994 wherein he was elected President, South Africa has seen a boom in cultural tourism, mainly focused on the four main black tribal groups and the San Bushmen.

In the heart of Cape Town’s picturesque Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, this contemporary urban resort embodies a chic island design and African flair. The crescent-shaped architecture of the seven-storey Marina Rise allows for splendid views of Table Mountain and Signal Hill from 91 spacious rooms and suites.

Two lushly landscaped islands at the centre of the waterfront feature 40 Island Suites and the tranquil One&Only Spa. The 130 room property is One&Only’s first Urban resort and sits in the fashionable Waterfront district.

One&Only Cape Town is situated at the heart of the city’s working harbour within the charming Victoria & Alfred Waterfront. Cape Town itself is located at the foot of Table Mountain at the northern end of Africa’s Cape Peninsula, where the Indian and Atlantic Oceans meet. Approximately 25 minutes (22 kilometres) from Cape Town International Airport; transfers available by taxi, limousine or helicopter.

[Photos by Chris Jackson, courtesy of One&Only Cape Town]

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