Infatuations of a features writer: Starry night

Living the suite life on floor 23 of the Radisson Blu

Coastal hotels might serve up picturesque views of waves and turquoise waters, but an inner city suite revealing a sea of starry lights, strung along a seemingly infinite skyline, would impress even the most loyal Capetonian or Durbanite.

At R8 400 a night for two people enjoying the luxury of the Sandton Radisson Blu’s single room penthouse suite, you might almost be paying R1 000m² per square metre of glass window surrounding you, but draw open the curtains after sunset and suddenly every cent seems well spent. Thousands of twinkling lights are almost eye level from a lofty 23rd floor and keep you company as you lounge around and enjoy the view or put your culinary skills to work in the beautifully modern open plan kitchen.

True to the no-nonsense attitude that drives the City of Gold forward, the design in the Radisson Blu Hotel Sandton is fearlessly bold. Rich mauves, daring silver and red snake skin patterned wallpaper and brave black shaggy rugs colour the suite, while the public areas of the hotel present guests with sky- high ceilings, bold metallic silver globes hanging from the ceiling like Christmas baubles and designer furniture coloured in saturated primary blues, yellows and reds.

The reds bleed into the effortlessly chic Vivace Restaurant on the 13th floor (the same floor as reception) which carries the ethos of Italian style and precision right down to the dual Italian and English descriptions of the delicacies on the menu. I don’t know what the Italian is for deboned veal wrapped in parma ham (served with ossobucco and a smoked garlic parsnip pureé), but in English the word “delicious” will do just fine. And that’s before stealing a bite of the equally delectable seared kingklip, served with garlic and basil roasted vine tomatoes and a side dish of olive oil mash.

South African elements such as the fresh proteas on the tables or the proudly SA wines on the wine list (the Groote Post 2009 “The Old Man’s Blend” from Darling gets my stamp of approval) add local flavour to the otherwise European aura that the Vivace exudes, although having said that, the restaurant’s well known “Super Breakfast Buffet” most certainly caters for the hearty SA appetite.

While you’re living the high life, pretending that you own a slice of everything from the lush indoor garden atriums and the magnificently luxurious and understated Amani African Spa, you might as well start your day with some delicious and exotic breakfast ingredients, including fresh crushed pistachios and a selection of berries. Frankly, I cannot think of a better way to wake up, so much so that I’m convinced there is no wrong side of the bed in any of the Radisson’s plush suites.