A Luxurious Urban Getaway at the More Quarters Neighbourhood Hotel

Words: Julie Velosa

Have you ever explored your city as a tourist? We often associate getaways with venturing far beyond our familiar surroundings, but sometimes, merely escaping everyday household demands like the ever-growing laundry pile or the persistent call of the garden, can revive the mind and spirit. I recently experienced the heart of Kloof Street from this perspective, while staying at the lovely More Quarters Neighbourhood Hotel. While I know the area well, it was refreshing to enjoy it as a visitor, and I was surprised to learn that More Quarters resides right in the beating heart of it.

More Quarters Neighbourhood Hotel Exterior

More Quarters Neighbourhood Hotel

If you’re familiar with Kloof Street, you’re bound to know Upper Union Street, which runs perpendicular and is home to the fabulous Upper Union Restaurant. With its black and white chequered floors, chic chandeliers, plush velvet green seating and twinkling fairy lights, it’s one of the area’s hotspots. You might also make the connection that the restaurant is linked to the gorgeous Cape Cadogan Boutique Hotel. But wait, there’s more, literally. More Quarters is another gem of this collection and its tucked-away location is part of its charm.

Nicol and King Streets, both off Kloof, are charming cobblestone pathways running parallel to each other that provide the picturesque setting for the rooms of the More Quarters Neighbourhood Hotel. Adorned with wrought iron gates, patterned tiles, and white rose bushes in planters lining the streets, you can’t help but feel as if you’ve been transported to a quaint side street in Italy or Spain.More Quarters Neighbourhood Hotel

Each of the 23 apartments at More Quarters is meticulously designed, bright and spacious, with tasteful modern furnishings and pops of vibrant colour in graphic wallpaper and finishings. Each room has a well-stocked kitchenette with cutlery and crockery to prepare food if you opt to stay in during longer stays. The apart-hotel room style offers loads of privacy and flexibility and will appeal to guests who want to come and go but still want the luxury of a serviced room.

Depending on your room you may have a small private courtyard where you can enjoy a quiet coffee or a glass of wine, as we did. Three of the rooms are interleading and can form family-sized spaces if travelling with kids.

The attention to detail is evident in every corner, from the plush sofas to the carefully chosen amenities.

The beds are incredibly comfortable – I slept like a dream. Once the doors are closed it’s completely quiet – you’d never believe you’re in a hyper-urban area with buzzing nightlife and busy roads.

Dining at Upper Union

Upper Union restaurant has become one of my favourites simply because it is consistently good. The restaurant is just a few steps from More Quarters and can be found by navigating through one of the interleading passages that connect the apartments with the Cape Cadogan.

Each time I have dined here I have been impressed – Head Chef Amori Burger and the team have elevated sharing plate dining to an art form, and I can’t think of anyone in Cape Town doing it better.

Upper Union

Everything on the menu appeals, so narrowing down what we wanted to have was the first hurdle. The house bread course, with infused butters from Cream of the Crop, set us up for the rest of the meal. I highly recommend the Sea Bass Ceviche – my husband is a ceviche fanatic and he said this was the best he has had. With pineapple amba, green papaya, ginger and tiger’s milk, it was a perfect balance of sweetness and acidity and was a celebration of the seafood.

Everything on the menu appeals, so narrowing down what we wanted to have was the first hurdle.

Upper-Union-Food

I also absolutely adored the fire-grilled cabbage with Dalewood Boland cheese, candied walnuts and almonds. The Puglia burrata was also dreamy, as was the chicken & duck pastilla and the southern fried chicken thigh. Honestly, it was hard to separate the deliciousness from one plate to another. The service is exceptional and everything was just on point from start to finish.

The restaurant vibe is intimate yet lively and creates the perfect backdrop for an unforgettable dining experience. All this coupled with those gorgeous interiors sets Upper Union apart as a must-visit if you are staying at More Quarters.Upper-Union conservatory

A Little You Time

Being in the heart of Kloof Street, you won’t be short of things to do. More Quarters is perfectly placed to walk the street, popping into shops, galleries and cafés. Table Mountain, The V&A Waterfront and many of the city’s top destinations are right on your doorstep.

Guests staying at More Quarters can make use of the pool area at the Cape Cadogan Boutique Hotel, which is easily accessible via a corridor through the buildings. The splash pool in an enclosed courtyard is perfect for cooling off in hot summer months, or just absorbing some Vitamin D as the weather cools. With tasselled umbrellas and comfy loungers, it was the ideal spot to spend the afternoon catching up on a novel I had long been trying to finish.

There is also an on-site spa that has been recently re-done and is connected to the pool courtyard; guests can book in for a treatment like a relaxing massage or facial and a little personal relaxation time.

An Enhanced Guest Experience

Breakfast at the hotel is served in a café-style dining space, located just opposite the reception area. The menu is varied and caters for different dietary requirements. I opted for the vegetarian and gluten-free red lentil pancakes topped with guacamole and dukkah – they were divine. Their eggs Benedict is also a winner, as is their coffee – very important!

More-Quarters__Breakfast-Room

Breakfast also includes a continental buffet of yoghurts, muesli, cheeses, cold cuts and parfaits. The menu includes plant-based and gluten-free options, with a note of ingredients displayed with each dish, showing that they know and cater for the modern traveller. Ice-cold kombucha also made for a welcome addition to the morning offering.

Their eggs Benedict is also a winner, as is their coffee – very important!

High-Tea at More Quarters

For those after a late afternoon treat (read: me), I loved the offer of a different cake or sweet treat on the daily, which you can enjoy in one of the lounges or take to your room. Also, the evening offering of wine or sherry with light snacks like biltong and nuts encourages guests to poke their heads out of their rooms and connect before heading out for the evening.

Book Your Stay

One of the standout features of More Quarters is the impeccable service provided by the staff. From the moment we arrived, we were greeted with genuine warmth and hospitality. The staff goes above and beyond to ensure that every need is met, offering personalised recommendations for local attractions, dining, and activities.More-Quarters

More Quarters Neighbourhood Hotel is ideal for a broad spectrum of visitors. Families with young kids will love their Mack & Madi Explorers programme, aimed at ensuring kids are well looked after and entertained (child minding services are available upon request). It will equally suit those travelling for business who need a central and easily accessible location with speedy WiFi and the comfort of space to work from. Equally travellers from out of town will love the proximity to tourist faves and the plethora of drinks and dining options right on the doorstep.

The staff goes above and beyond to ensure that every need is met, offering personalised recommendations for local attractions, dining, and activities.

Whether you’re a seasoned traveller or a first-time visitor to the Mother City, More Quarters provides a haven of comfort, style, and sophistication – a home away from home that invites you in and makes it easy to enjoy this vibrant city of ours.

More Quarters Neighbourhood Hotel
2 Nicol St, Gardens, Cape Town, 8000 | Phone: 021 487 5660

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