What makes The Twelve Apostles such a special place to stay in Cape Town? | News

BTN spoke to Michael Nel, Managing Director of Red Carnation Hotels South Africa, to find out more about where the property is going and how the market is responding to Cape Town.

For those who haven’t yet experienced this property, what makes The Twelve Apostles such a distinctive place to stay in Cape Town?

While we have many unique selling points, our location is undoubtedly our biggest differentiator. It is often misunderstood as too far from the city, when in fact we are only seven minutes from Camps Bay and about 15 minutes from the V&A Waterfront. Our setting offers the very best of Cape Town: uninterrupted views of the ocean, the Twelve Apostles Mountains rising directly behind us, and a sense of total privacy with no adjacent developments. Guests can immerse themselves in the energy of the city at any time and then retreat to the hotel for a truly peaceful afternoon or evening.

The setting is spectacular, but luxury travelers expect more than a great view. How do you translate that mountain-and-ocean backdrop into a truly memorable guest experience?

We focus on experiences that take guests into the landscape itself. A lesser-known hiking trail runs directly behind the hotel, as well as mountain picnics that allow guests to enjoy the area in a very personal way. Our private helicopter stop also enables one of the most unforgettable experiences in the city.

Cape Town is one of the most competitive luxury hotel markets in the world. Where do you think The Twelve Apostles has a real edge today?

For us, luxury goes beyond beautiful buildings, rooms or even location. Real luxury is how we make our guests feel. Genuine, genuine hospitality is at the heart of everything we do, and we empower our team to make a meaningful difference with every stay. The strongest evidence of this is the number of returning guests we welcome year after year. Many of them return because of the relationships they build with our team and the feeling of coming home we give them.

Red Carnation is a family-founded brand with a very clear service ethos. How do you balance the individuality of this hotel with the consistency and strength that comes from being part of a broader collection?

Our brand pillars guide us and ensure that our service ethos is closely aligned with the family values ​​at the heart of Red Carnation. At the same time, each building is completely unique. We actively encourage our teams to build meaningful relationships with guests, allowing us to understand their preferences on a very personal level. This allows us to tailor each stay through what we call TNTs – little standout details – that make the experience feel completely individual.

You manage the day-to-day operations of a high-touch luxury hotel, what does great leadership look like in that environment
It starts with presence: spending time on the floor with guests, but just as importantly, spending time with colleagues. Understanding your team’s needs, both professionally and personally, is essential. I strongly believe in the simple principle that if you really take care of your people, they will also take care of your guests.

How has your guest profile evolved in recent years, and what are high-end travelers looking for now that they may not have prioritized before?

Guests are increasingly looking for experiences where they can learn something new or make a positive contribution to the people behind the experience. Ethical practices are important, but we’re also seeing a strong emphasis on truly local sourcing – of food, products and services – which in turn supports nearby communities and creates a more meaningful connection to place.

The hotel has a strong multigenerational and family-friendly dimension. How important is that part of the business, and how do you present it in a way that still feels elevated and undeniably luxurious?

Family travel has always been an important part of our business. Our philosophy is simple: if we take good care of the children, parents can really relax – and they will always want to come back. Achieving this in a way that feels elevated comes down to thoughtful details, personalized experiences and making sure every family member feels equally valued.

Food and drink play a major role in shaping a luxurious stay. How do you use the culinary offering to express a stronger sense of place?
Our chef, Christo Pretorius, has long been an advocate of sustainability. He only sources products within a 30 km radius, is a SASSI Trailblazer and ensures that every menu tells a local story. The result is food that is both rooted and deeply authentic.

Wellness continues to grow as a travel driver. What role does the spa and the wider wellness experience play in the hotel’s positioning today?

The spa is a major reason why many guests choose to stay with us, and we also have many local members. This reflects our hotel’s wider sustainability ethos, using locally sourced, sustainably sourced products with a strong South African heritage. In addition to traditional relaxation and pampering, we also offer yoga and meditation sessions on the mountainside, allowing guests to reconnect with nature while being just minutes from the city.

Sustainability is more important than ever in luxury hospitality, what are the initiatives that make the biggest difference at The Twelve Apostles, and how do you make these visible to guests in an authentic way?

We have set up a number of impactful initiatives. Winnow, our AI food waste tracking system, helps our chefs design more thoughtful menus by analyzing portion sizes and waste. EarthCheck, our company-wide sustainability program, measures everything from greenhouse gas emissions to water and electricity consumption. We also work closely with local organizations such as the Amy Foundation, supporting community-led sustainability projects that teach young people about caring for the future. Across the property we are continually working to reduce our footprint, for example by minimizing single-use plastics or offering linen changes every three days or on request.

How important is the local connection, from people and suppliers to experiences and stories, in defining the hotel’s identity?

Local connection is fundamental to who we are. We purposefully source from local suppliers and actively share their stories with our guests. We also invite these partners into the hotel and our restaurants to work with our teams, providing them with valuable exposure while creating a richer, more meaningful experience for guests.

Finally, when guests leave The Twelve Apostles, what feeling or memory do you most want them to take with them?
Ideally, the first thought is, “When can we come back?” And right behind that: “We are really going to miss the people who made our stay so unforgettable.”