After years in the hospitality industry, scouring the world to see the international trends and personally promoting their project, Glyn Taylor and Gary Koetser have created a remarkable hotel. The Century City Conference Center and Hotel opened its doors in February 2016 and in an astonishingly short time, has established itself as a world class facility. We stayed at the hotel to see what joint CEOs Glyn and Gary have achieved.
The Hotel
Primarily a business hotel, the place oozes with modern sophistication. The décor is an eclectic mix of materials, patterns and art that works beautifully. A benefit of being a brand new hotel is the demands of the modern traveller are fully met. Yes there is complimentary WiFi like with most hotels, but there is also charging points (plug and USB) all over so you always stay connected. It may seem like an obvious thing to have in a hotel, but when you are sitting on a couch at reception waiting for your Uber and your phone is about to die, you’ll really appreciate the charging point right in front of you.
The hotel rooms are minimalistic but comfortable. General manager Walda Meyer says this was done to encourage guests to go out and explore. The fact that the hotel is in Century City means there is a whole host of items to enjoy, all within walking distance is an added bonus. While the hotel is aimed at business professionals (due to the conference centre) it is a great place for anyone looking to stay in Cape Town. A suit or executive room combined with a standard room cleverly concert into a family room via a strategically placed door. To make this extra special for the kiddies, age appropriate dvds are placed in the room and they can request themed bedding of their favourite characters. (I got Spiderman bedding placed in my room and screamed like a little girl, it really is special).
The amenities are great. None of those tiny bottles that hardly cleanse your whole body. No you get proper sized shampoo conditioner, shower gel and lotion. The TV has 20 channels, a nice touch considering you normally get around five at most hotels. To my absolute delight, the channels included the food network.
The Conference Center
It may be strange talking exclusively about a conference center, but the Century City Conference Center is worth talking about. It is not simply a space in the hotel that can accommodate 300 people. It is its own building that accommodates up to 1200 delegates. One of the most striking feature is the wonderful artwork that celebrates South Africa. A noteworthy piece is an incredible sculpture of the national anthem in the lobby.
Glyn and Gary decided to approach the Conference Center the same way they run a hotel. The result is a fantastic conference experience. One of the best features is a business lounge, that is modelled after a slow lounge at the airport. Rather than just having scheduled tea and coffee breaks there is constant food and drink that conference goers can enjoy whenever they choose.
The Square Café
The Square Café and Wine Bar is the eatery associated with the hotel. Located on a gorgeous square overlooking an incredible large artwork it had become a popular spot for residents, people who work in the area and guests alike. Lunch time sees a great harvest table being laid where you can do dish your food and weigh it. It’s great for those in a hurry, since you can get your food within in five minutes of walking in, but the atmosphere allows for a long leisurely lunch. Look out for more on the Square Café on the site.
From the mind blowingly cool logo to the extreme thoughtfulness of the staff, the Century City Conference Center and Hotel provides a wonderful experience for business professionals and holiday goers alike.
OF NOTE
Where 4 Energy Lane, Bridgeways Precinct, Century City
Contact +27 21 204 8000, [email protected], www.ccconferencecentre.co.za
Photography Century City Conference Center