The Northcliff Boutique Hotel

I booked well ahead so my son and his girlfriend could have a romantic Valentine’s dinner, and I was assured they’d get a good table. Instead, they were seated at the back. Apparently it’s first come, first served, even though the restaurant sells the dinner without ensuring you get a decent spot with the much-touted view. I’m extremely disappointed. R1800 for two people, unfortunately at a mediocre table.

On Sunday afternoon, live music filled the restaurant, and every song felt thoughtfully chosen. The food was exquisite as usual. Patty was lively and attentive, and sent us off with a delicate dessert. A small gesture, but one we won’t forget. It felt like more than just a meal, with good food, music, and real care.

For my mum’s 86th birthday, we booked a High Tea for 10. The planning was difficult from the beginning because different social media pages showed different prices, with no clear update. Online, we saw R450 to R495, but were told the January price was R550 per person. That wouldn’t have been a big issue if the website or socials had been refreshed. We chose the 1:30 sitting, and the food was disappointing. There were lots of cheap filler items, including Croque Monsieur, which is a French ham and cheese toasted sandwich, dry springrolls, and sweet options. Other things looked and tasted as if they’d been made hours earlier or the day before. Presentation was poor, and the few garnishes were wilted and dry. Maybe the 11:30 sitting is better, before food has been sitting out. The award for 'Best place to have high tea 2025' is ambiguous. It may be about the views and location, because the food certainly wasn’t award-winning. Even though we spent around R7000, we weren’t allowed to bring a small birthday cake for Mum to blow out candles. They didn’t offer to arrange one there for a fee either, and nobody made any birthday gesture. We didn’t even get a Happy Birthday message on a plate. Even The Spur has more spirit! Every establishment can have a bad day, whether it’s staff changes, absences, or lack of management, and the time of year can affect service and quality. I hope this was a one-off and things improve as the year goes on. I was rooting for this privately owned business, but they dropped the ball several times. It was a poor experience.

We’ll be back. The setting is a real escape, with stunning views, and the food was outstanding. The rooms were elegant, the service warm and attentive, and the staff genuinely welcoming. Every detail felt carefully considered.