InterContinental Table Bay Cape Town by IHG

I felt comfortable dining alone, thanks in large part to Nqobile at the entrance and Sam, my waiter. Nqobile greeted me with such a warm smile, helped me pick a table, and kindly reassured me when I admitted I felt nervous about the restaurant's luxurious look. She encouraged me to check the menu for myself, then introduced me to Sam. The handover was smooth, and he was attentive and friendly without hovering. I felt looked after. The place is calm and beautiful, with lovely music at a comfortable volume and no crowding. Everyone spoke with warmth and respect, without rushing me or putting on forced politeness. There are no compulsory service fees either, and tips are optional, which felt considerate and inclusive. I was surprised that the menu was very reasonably priced for this standard. There are accessible choices, including a clubhouse sandwich with fries for R185. The food's quality and portions, along with the atmosphere and service, made it worth it. They also bring a few thoughtful complimentary touches when you sit down, with no pressure. I'd recommend Flint & Fennel for a peaceful meal and really good service. My visit showed me that a luxurious-looking place can still feel welcoming, and reminded me not to judge by appearances. Thanks to Nqobile and Sam for making it memorable. I'll be back.

The breakfast was one of the best I've had at a 5* hotel, and I loved the spa treatment, which was amazing value compared with the frankly ridiculous room rate. The pool area looked stunning, with Soho House vibes, though building work next door left it dusty and noisy. The refurb is lovely, but there's a lot of construction and some teething problems. We had an early flight, so I booked the night before to guarantee early check-in. Despite that being stated on the booking, they cancelled the reservation themselves. We then had to wait around half an hour for it to be reinstated.

The pool and views were lovely, and the staff were very nice. Breakfast was really good too, though the place felt a bit corporate. I wasn't keen on the tapas, as everything seemed to be covered in mayo. There were a few service problems. They wouldn't break a 200R note into smaller change, and someone else's massage was charged to our account. They could take money from my debit card, but couldn't immediately refund the extra charge because the manager was away. We're still waiting for the refund they promised. The signs around the place weren't quite as they should be.

I was left waiting for half an hour after the menus were dropped off for an early dinner and drinks. Staff only came back after I called the hotel and asked them to send someone from the bar to the outside area. The apology felt haphazard, no manager came over, and when I explained what had happened, they asked if we'd wanted to order. We don't ask for menus just to read the words. Even a simple drink order turned into confusion. I asked for a small still water and a large sparkling, got the opposite, and it took three tries to get it right. The cortado was disappointing too, lukewarm and burnt. I came expecting the warmth and attention to detail the old Table Bay was known for, but the service was inconsistent. I'm deeply disappointed this is the standard they serve up, haphazard and kind of like a confused seal.