Bantry Bay is the kind of Atlantic seaboard stretch where the city seems to fold in on itself: the mountain behind, the ocean in front, apartment blocks stacked between.
The President Hotel sits right in the middle of it, and tucked near its reception is Cove Wellness Spa, a small space that is easy to walk past if you aren't looking for it.
That size is part of the appeal, and the experience feels more personal because of it.
Not just a hotel guest affair
You do not need a room at the President to book a treatment. The spa is open to the public, which makes it a practical option for visitors staying elsewhere in the city, and for Cape Town residents who want something a little more special than their usual appointment. For anyone building an itinerary, that flexibility matters: you can fit it around wherever you have been that day.
Arriving and settling in
I was welcomed with a cup of herbal tea, a small touch that sets the pace early. The treatment rooms smell of aromatics, a warm, layered scent that is noticeable the moment you step in. The rooms themselves are warm and cosy, and the beds are heated, which I would single out for anyone booking on a chilly winter's day. Soft music plays throughout.
The therapists were extremely professional. Their hands-on work is unhurried, and it is easy to slip into a relaxed state without effort.
