I am not even sure where to begin to describe the fine attention to detail at Akademie. From the moment we arrived, we were made to feel welcome and special. Declan and his team cater to your every need and we were truly spoiled throughout our stay. I will start with our room. After being shown to our room in the main house, we noticed there was a smart phone plugged in next to the bed. We thought perhaps the person who made up our room had left it by accident, so we went to return it to Declan. As it turns out, the phone is provided to guests for their use during their stay and is pre-programmed with numbers that guests might want/need. What an incredibly thoughtful gesture for international travelers who might not have a South African SIM card! The room is beautifully decorated and has the most amazing bed! It is extra-large, super comfy and just totally luxurious. You can practically get lost in it! The sheets are handmade (learned this by chatting with Declan) of the finest cotton. There is a lovely little sitting area perfect for enjoying a cocktail from the fully stocked mini-bar.....including rum, gin, vodka, and Amarula (a decadent creamy South African liqueur made from the marula fruit) plus mixers, water, and delicious snacks.....sweet and savory. And since Declan knew it was my birthday, there was a special bottle of MCC (Méthode Cap Classique .... a South African term for a sparkling wine made exactly the same way Champagne is made) in our fridge! There is also a desk area complete with a phonograph/gramophone for music! And though we did not need to use it, there is also a wood burning stove in the room. The bathroom has a gorgeous free standing tub, his and her sinks, and a separate spacious walk in shower....with room for 2! There is a side door that opens to a beautiful sparkling pool and toasty hot jacuzzi which we took advantage of each day of our stay. Around the pool are upscale loungers and, on each lounger, sits a Turkish towel, a pool towel, and a sun hat! Again, nothing is left to chance at Akademie. The grounds are just beautiful and well maintained. Declan's team is always seen around the hotel making sure everything is perfect, inside, and out. And speaking of the great team at Akademie, we parked directly under a tree on the street and birds overhead had made a mess on the roof, window, and side of our car. My husband went inside to find something to clean it off, but Declan would not hear of it. One of his team came out with a bucket of water and a cleaning cloth and took care of it for us! A quick stroll from our room is "Orangerie" where breakfast was served each morning and drinks were provided before and after dinner. Breakfast was probably the best we have had at a boutique hotel or B and B. Smoothies, fruit platters with a huge assortment of local fresh fruits, and pastries started us off and that was followed by a piping hot made-to-order breakfast. At night, Orangerie transforms into a lovely, warm, comfortable cocktail reception area complete with a crackling fire for before or after dinner....or both! Several varieties of wine, MCC and beer were offered for self-service. A perfect ending to each day! Throughout the hotel there are striking pieces of art and it seems there is something to catch your eye at every turn. Akademie is located in a lovely and peaceful residential neighborhood but it's only a quick walk to the main street which is lined with great restaurants and shops. It was just an absolutely wonderful stay and when asked if there was anything that could have made our stay better, the answer was a resounding "no!" Everything was perfect and we will definitely be back later in the year for our anniversary.…
Such stuff as dreams are made of. Stunning in every possible way. Thank you Declan for a truly incredible experience. We have travelled extensively and can truly say that AKA really is a cut above the rest. The beauty of the house, the furniture and décor, the stunning outside spaces and orangerie, the fine wines, impeccable service and breakfast of dreams. Really, it cannot be bettered in any possible way.
I simply love this hotel, especially for a romantic weekend away. Nothing has been left to chance, everything is catered for with great ease. This hotel is exquisitely thought through and has much flair, the staff are attentive yet easy going, the breakfasts are delicious especially that fruit platter! I greatly enjoyed the fire-heated bathing vat on our balcony. Honestly, it doesn't get better than this!
Had an amazing stay at Akademie Street. From the beginning we had the warmest welcome from Declan and immediately he made us feel at home. Over time we kept getting surprised how much attention to detail was put into this place - everything felt on point. From the beautiful room, the amazing shower cabin, the decor, the heated pool. I'll be looking very much forward to my next stay at Akademie Street.
Declan and his team have created something magical at Akademie Street. The attention to detail is amazing and the staff are incredible. It was a real treat to be a guest at their hotel and experience that level of hospitality.
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