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Located in the epicentre of Greater Cape Town, Colona Castle, graded 5 Star, is truly a sophisticated, elegant and enchanting base from which to explore Cape Town, Cape Point, the Peninsula and Winelands. Gracing the mountainside above a tranquil Lake District on the warmer False Bay coastline, with majestic views stretching from Table Mountain to the South Atlantic Ocean, furnished with treasured antiques, this splendid Mediterranean style retreat offers character, exclusivity and infinite charm. Guests are assured of outstanding hospitality and exceptional personal service, away from the hustle bustle of the city, in five luxurious exceptionally decorated full Suites & three Superior Bedrooms offering modern conveniences. Delicious breakfasts are served all day, lunches and dinners on request, spa treatments given in the privacy of own suite Stimulating activities including world-class Golf, whale, shark or bird watching, sightseeing and acclaimed restaurants are within easy reach.
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to TGCSA - Tourism Grading Council of South Africa.
HOTEL STYLE
Quiet
Business
Location
1 Old Boyes Drive Verwood Road, Lakeside 7945 South Africa
Colona Castle
4.7 reviews
Getting there
Car recommended
Places to stay are graded on a 0-100 scale. The higher the grade, the easier it is for travelers to find restaurants and things to do within walking distance.
The Colona Castle is not in any way a "run of the mill" hotel. We felt like we were staying in someone's home, which is exactly what we were doing. The owners live on site, and they and their staff could not have been be more hospitable, helpful, and caring. From the warm welcome at the steps on our arrival, to the bowl of fruit, personal letter of introduction and home made biscuits with the tea tray, to advice on travelling in the local area, and how accomodating they were about breakfast times, and checking out, nothing was too much trouble.
Staying here is truly an experience. We stayed in the green room, which has a private balcony, enormous en suite bathroom and massive, comfortable bed.
The breakfast was beautifully cooked to order, with juices and cereal available to help yourself to. This hotel does not provide an evening meal service, unless by request of the guests, but there are plenty of local eateries along the coast, all of which can be reached by Uber or your own car.
For those who are looking for something different, and within a walk of an infamous "Z" parkrun, (Zandvlei) this could be for you. It's not a "premier inn" it's staying in someone's home and is an experience in itself.
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Date of stay: February 2020
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip:Any of the rooms would be amazing.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We loved our stay at Colona Castle! The staff could not do enough for us, the rooms were stunning and the views from the hotel were lovely. The only meal we ate there was breakfast, but this was delicious with great choices and the view from the breakfast room was gorgeous. Travelling around was really easy with Uber and the team were happy to recommend places to visit in the local area. Would love to stay for longer and would happily recommend.
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Date of stay: February 2020
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Colona Castle is a dream realized , our 5 day stay was was sublime . all the attention to details , personlised service and wonderfuff hosts. Thank you Michael Nicole and David , you will most certainly see us again . The Penthouse suit was spacious , with breath taking views of the mountains , sea and lakeside . the night lights are breath taking . the calmness and positive enegery is rejuvenating and treat on its own . The experience of staying in this magestic yet homely and personilized establishment or rather home is a treat few be blessed to experience . This was a memory that will remain with us for ever , or rather till the next time.
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Date of stay: February 2020
Location
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip:penthouse suit outstanding
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from 2CapeTown, Owner at Colona Castle
Responded Mar 5, 2020
Dear Jean-Francois Thank you so much for your review. We are so pleased you enjoyed your stay in the Penthouse Suite and benefitted from the panoramic views and calmness it offers. We all look forward to hosting you again soon and David and the attentive staff at Colona Castle wish you the very best to keep safe and happy
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Would not recommend this place. They stole my money as I had a booking but there was no one to receive me. Landed in Cape Town late in the evening and called before arriving but no one answered my calls. Asked to be refunded as I never stayed over but they declined.
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Date of stay: October 2022Trip type: Traveled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Recommended by Susie Freeman Travel (the BEST for RSA and Mauritius!) and a very good recommendadtion too. Colona Castle is very stylish, has great facilities and really friendly and helpful staff. We stayed in the Chinese Suite which was very comfortable indeed - large room and bed, ensuite and private terrace. We had dinner on one night which was delicious. Breakfast was very comprehensive with delicious fruit. Owners Michael and Nicole were very involved and welcoming/helpful. Would recommend that you have a hire car if you are using this hotel as a base for Cape Town as Muizenberg is a 20 minute drive from the center of town. Upside of this though is the view and the peace.
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Date of stay: February 2011
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We selected the Colona by accident. We hoped to stay at one or more of the five-star hotels in Cape Town over the US Thanksgiving holiday weekend. Because we made our reservations late, these hotels were booked because, as we later learned, residents of the southern Africa nation flock to Cape Town during this early winter (for them) period. Hence, the "better" hotels were fully booked.
We arrived at the Colona very late our first evening. We actually arrived around midnight. As the taxi driver drove us from the airport, he told us several times that we were going to be far from central Cape Town. He told us that we were going to be isolated, remote and away from things. With each comment, our level of anxiety grew. We wondered whether we made the right selection.
The driver urged us to call the hotel and annouce our anticipated arrival in ten minutes. We wondered...and made the call.
We arrived, as noted above, under cover of darkness. We wondered about our choice....
It was dark outside, and we did not see the array of lights that you ordinarily associate with decent hotels. Indeed, this facility was located in an area that appeared, at night, to be qite suburban.
We were greeted outside the hotel by the owner and one of his aides. He was not very happy -- nor was the aide. They helped us -- barely -- with our bags up the stairs and, later, up the staircase. The owner made some passive comments about the failure of the internet service to tell him when we were arriving from the US. Nevertheless, he told us that we had been upgraded to a superior suite.
The suite was superior. It was clean. It had a sitting room/library with a sofa, chairs, large table, real books, beverages, fruit and other comfort items.
The bedroom contained a king bed, chairs, television and other items.
There was a large balcony with seats. It faced a large lake and some public athlete facilities.
The bathroom was superior. It had a large tub, open shower, two sinks, toilet and lots of cabinets. It was bright, clean, open.
We promptly went to sleep. Given the circumstances of our arrival, I must tell you, candidly, that we wonderd whether we were living a Stephen King novel experience.
I woke up early, as i often do, the following morning. The co-owner (and spouse) was at the desk. She -- Nicole is her name -- gretted me warmly and offered assistance. I responded by requesting coffee. A housekeeper named Katie brought the coffee. I talk to Nicole while drinking several cups.
Both Nicole and Katie noted immediately that I get up early and want coffee at that hour. Katie hadcoffee available to me each morning at the same spot before I arrived. I never ordered it; they readied themselves for my preferences.
Our personal preferences were noted and recorded by the team throughout our stay. The team worked with determinationto make us comfortable.
This small hotel -- it is not a Bed and Breakfast or a Guest House -- is conveniently located. It is about 20 minutes from central Cape Town and its waterfront. It is minutes from Fault Bay -- a beach and shopping area. It is about 30 minutes fromthe Cape of Good Hope and Cape Point.
While we sould have rented a car, the hotel team made reservations for car services. It was clear to us that they knew the drivers well, and that they were not simply passing us off to anyone. The vehicles ere clean and safe and the drivers were pleasant.
This is not a place to party, unless the participants are part of your small tribe. This is not a place for the beach, the bar or the lounge. While there exists some areas like this, it does not work here.
Even though the house does not have a traditional hotel bar, the team brings drinks to you wherever you sit and relax.
The hotel serves free breakfast. It wors for anyone, and is quite nice.
Lunch is not available.
Dinner is available. It is good, andis presented quite well.
There is a team of female chefs who pepare very well. The Italian chef is okay, not great.
This really is a superior hotel. It works for small groups or for small pairs.
If you plant to bein the city, this does not work for you.
Otherwise, you will love this small hotel. It is not to be loved for the grounds, the pool, the facility, the suites or anything else. Instead, it is to be loved only for the way this team headed by Michael and Nicloe will treat you
This team is committed to your comfort. This attitude and focus works for me.
The pool is okay. The beach is nearby. The shopping is nearby. The beach is nearby.
Return to this small hotel often and regularly.
Tell of hosts your thoughts: they will listen and respond.
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Date of stay: November 2007
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Check in / front desk
Service
Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The splendour of the Castle can only be fully explained following a glass with its wonderful proprietors.
Madam Nicole Reigns here with capital R whereas Master Michael pulls the proverbial strings such that the magic is complete.
Outstanding service, beautifully decorated suites combined with an atmosphere of sheer elegance in all and every detail. The eggs are boiled just right. The Champagne is spot on temp. This is the perfect mosaic.
I wish to live here...
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Date of stay: November 2015Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mustard-coloured Colona Castle, high on the hill overlooking Muizenberg, was the final of three hotels we stayed at around Cape Town on our 8-day holiday there. It was just us and one other couple staying here and it was like being invited to stay at your rich uncle's luxury getaway, it being a 1920s era fantasy of high ceilings and huge windows, decorated with gorgeous fabrics and exotic curios, showing a life well-travelled - one we envied very much! We stayed in the gorgeous green Chinese room which had an enclosed, AND and exposed balcony overlooking the courtyard pool (which we didn't get to use, sadly, although we did enjoy breakfast outside on our final morning), with a lovely, light-filled, large, sparkling white bathroom. Michael the helpful owner recommended dinner the first night at the wonderful Harbour House restaurant in nearby Kalk Bay which was just superb, and the dinner the second and final night at Catharina's in nearby leafy vineyard region of Constantia. Special mention goes to the smiling, helpful assistants David and Leroy. If we ever got back to CT, we would definitely stay here again. Book it, you won't regret it.
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Date of stay: March 2015
Value
Cleanliness
Service
Trip type: Traveled as a couple
Room Tip:Chinese room is just gorgeous!
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I stayed at Colona Castle in May 2011 with my son. We wanted a break, visit some friends and do some sightseeing. It was the perfect spot for us. Not far from Cape Town, near Cape Point and on the way to the wine area. The road along the coast from Muizenberg to Stellenbosch is just beautiful ! There are a number of golf courses nearby and for those of you who are a member of Virgin Active in the UK, a letter from your club will get you in to enjoy all the facilities. The service was extremely good, nothing was too much trouble. The staff know the area very well and were able to advise us on our touring. Itineraries were drawn up for us every day to ensure we saw everything and did not miss out, restaurants were also booked for us... The rooms are very comfortable, everything you require is there and the service is discreet and extremely good.
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Date of stay: May 2011
Value
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Traveled with friends
Room Tip:All the rooms are beautiful and each has its own character and facilities. Your choice will...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Set on the hillside, Colona Castle has magnificent views over the coast line. The Parisian owner is absolutely charming, and she, and her staff could not be more friendly or helpful. However Colona Castle, is from yesteryear- it’s a bit like visiting a dear aunt, in deepest rural France. Reception has threadbare carpets, numerous random artefacts/antiques/junk, as did our room. Breakfast on the first day had a reasonable buffet selection, with cooked options available- there was only one other couple staying. The freshly squeezed orange juice, excellent.. The second morning, when we were the only guests, no buffet set out, no orange juice of any description! The owner was extremely helpful in advising good restaurants, booking tables, organising taxis. All in all, a pleasant stay in a mainly ‘guestless’ accommodation- we stayed 5 nights! Would I recommend it to friends? - nope! The place has a great location, wonderful owner and staff, but needs stripping out, and bringing into the 21st Century- am I some young trendy? Nope I’m 63, but appreciate to new standards set by most boutique accommodation.
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Date of stay: February 2018Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from 2CapeTown, Owner at Colona Castle
Responded Feb 24, 2018
Dear David Thank you for your review. Taste is indeed a very personal matter, as highlighted by some of your astonishing comments : the reception threadbare carpet is a real antique Persian rug with beautiful bird designs, considered to be fashionable and “tres chic”, which has not embarrassed any guests so far. Had you mentioned that you did not care for the antiques and the “Arab Twins” large painting of world famous painter Eugene Jardin in the Moroccan Room, we would have offered a stay in another room perhaps the Green Room of a more classic Bristish design… The number of guests in residence is not often apparent, as guests come and go early or late and are located on 3 different floors with separate entrances. We are very sorry that you did not like our furnishings. Rest assured that freshly squeezed orange juice is available at any time of day or night. We would have appreciated your mentioning all this face to face, but you certainly appeared to be enjoying yourselves, and you gave the impression of being happy. Your wife Sonja’s comments in our Guest Book : “Awesome place, perfect service & lovely people ! Thank you !!” We wish you the very best.
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Dear ZibaJi
Thank you for your questions and interest in our beautiful surroundings. The water front of False Bay is 3 kms down the road from Colona Castle. There are many fun and delectable fish restaurants on the Muizenberg Beach Front and other interesting eateries in the area.
You can easily walk there, and we can provide transport or organise a taxi to get there. You can then enjoy a legendary beach spanning 36 kms of fine sand and warmer waters.
As a Gateway to the South, this area offers a variety of restaurants, shops,hikes, walks, watersports and mountain to make your stay just that touch better
There are more places to choose from in the Lakeside area.
PRICE RANGE
$136 - $220 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
colona castle hotel lakeside, colona castle cape town
LOCATION
South AfricaWestern CapeCape TownLakeside
NUMBER OF ROOMS
8
Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Please see our partners for more details.
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Which popular attractions are close to Colona Castle?
Nearby attractions include Casa Labia (0.1 miles), Sobeit Store & Hong Kong Charlie Sushi Cafe (0.5 miles), and Guided Nature Trails Cape Point (0.6 miles).
