Over the last years Cape Town and its many Bed and Breakfasts obviously got into a race to be the best, the funkiest, the colour fullest etcetera. Many of them try so hard to be unique but even when it looks good at first sight, at a second glance …. I don’t know how hard these guys at Parker Cottage tried to turn the guesthouse into what it is, but fact is owners as well as staff do an excellent job at being just plain normal and welcoming hosts. I believe this to be their secret and I wonder if it must be in their genes somehow.
Parker Cottage was built by a Scottish architect at the end of the 1800s. He also used to be the mayor of greater Cape Town in 1913. We stayed at the Paterson Room. Every bit in this room seemed pretty mismatched but works together just wonderfully to create a feel good atmosphere. The beds were heaven and I ritually drank a nice cuppa before heading out for dinner. I loved to take a shower in the beautiful decorated bathroom using the complimentary lavender scrub to exfoliate and the moisturising body lotion to finish. The towels were really soft and smelled fresh.
While we were there the weather was more than pretty and breakfast was served on the verandah and in the garden. Everything on offer was simply delicious. It was great to have a fresh and healthy choice as a start into the day. And as everyone knows life is too short not to eat croissants they were to be had every morning. You get it: a stay at Parker Cottage is a heavenly affair.
Before I forget it: Wi-Fi was super-fast and connectivity great all the time while I was there, another big plus. The resident dog is the cutest dog ever, a tiny and very playful dachshund named Jasper. What a happy place this is. After we checked-out and drove off we were sad really.
What to take as a souvenir from Parker Cottage?
True, there is choices galore at Parker Cottage, but no, I did not take one of the thick cuddly bath robes, and wrong, I did not take the adorable little Jasper nor did I take the old fashioned cutlery and china back home with me ...
As soon as I got back home I had an idea. Our bath room is tiled in dark grey slates. I figured to paint the walls in berry might look pretty and it did, and while I was already at it, we kept going and painted our whole apartment in dark grey; all work was inspired by the bathroom in our room at Parker Cottage. I think it fantastic to take inspiration as a souvenir.
What about you? What is important to you in a guesthouse and what kind of souvenirs to you like to take back home? Looking forward to hear from you.
We paid ZAR 1.610/night inclusive breakfast for our double room in high season at Parker Cottage.
From Berlin with love