The Old Bank Hotel in Cape Town, a former bank has been transformed into a chic boutique retreat, blending history with modern elegance.
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There’s something quietly satisfying about rediscovering a familiar space in an entirely new light.
My recent visit to the Old Bank Hotel began with precisely that feeling. As I stepped through its doors, I realised I had been there before, years ago, when the building operated as a Nedbank branch.
Where queues and counters once stood, there is now a boutique hotel that still manages to honour its heritage.
On a warm Cape Town evening, my daughter and I set the tone for our visit with a leisurely walk through the Company’s Garden - feeding squirrels, admiring the huge trees and soaking in the easy rhythm of the city. It was the perfect start to a relaxed and unexpectedly intimate inner-city escape.
Located on St Georges Mall in the heart of Cape Town’s CBD, the Old Bank Hotel has undergone a refurbishment that has elevated it into a quiet urban retreat.
Its location alone is a drawcard: within walking distance of Greenmarket Square, St George’s Cathedral and the Bo-Kaap, it offers immediate access to some of the city’s most iconic cultural landmarks.
An Afro-French design theme runs throughout the hotel, balancing European and African materials. The result is a space that feels earthy, with tones of lush greenery and subtle Victorian influences creating an atmosphere that is both elegant and relaxed.
The rooms are spacious and well-appointed, featuring the original arched, floor-to-ceiling windows. Overlooking the pedestrianised mall below, these windows lend a distinctly European feel, offering a vantage point from which to observe street vendors and pedestrians strolling through the mall below.
The rooms are spacious and well-appointed.
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There is a certain charm to this elevated perspective - the hum of the city below is replaced with a calm, almost European vibe.
A defining feature of the hotel is its eighth-floor dining and leisure space. The 1902 Bistro and the B & F Bar open out onto a terrace with sweeping city views and a rooftop splash pool.
The rooftop pool offers a retreat from the hustle and bustle of the city.
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Dinner at the bistro was refreshingly unpretentious. The menu leans on fresh, seasonal ingredients, offering everything from salads and pastas to steaks and burgers.
Portions are generous, prices surprisingly affordable, and the overall experience is relaxed and easy-going. The bistro’s quieter setting is a welcome contrast to the often frenetic pace of inner-city dining.
The 1902 Bistro and the B & F Bar
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What sets the Old Bank Hotel apart is that it captures a particular kind of Cape Town experience - one that blends history, accessibility and understated style.
IOL Travel