We selected the Colona by accident. We hoped to stay at one or more of the five-star hotels in Cape Town over the US Thanksgiving holiday weekend. Because we made our reservations late, these hotels were booked because, as we later learned, residents of the southern Africa nation flock to Cape Town during this early winter (for them) period. Hence, the "better" hotels were fully booked. We arrived at the Colona very late our first evening. We actually arrived around midnight. As the taxi driver drove us from the airport, he told us several times that we were going to be far from central Cape Town. He told us that we were going to be isolated, remote and away from things. With each comment, our level of anxiety grew. We wondered whether we made the right selection. The driver urged us to call the hotel and annouce our anticipated arrival in ten minutes. We wondered...and made the call. We arrived, as noted above, under cover of darkness. We wondered about our choice.... It was dark outside, and we did not see the array of lights that you ordinarily associate with decent hotels. Indeed, this facility was located in an area that appeared, at night, to be qite suburban. We were greeted outside the hotel by the owner and one of his aides. He was not very happy -- nor was the aide. They helped us -- barely -- with our bags up the stairs and, later, up the staircase. The owner made some passive comments about the failure of the internet service to tell him when we were arriving from the US. Nevertheless, he told us that we had been upgraded to a superior suite. The suite was superior. It was clean. It had a sitting room/library with a sofa, chairs, large table, real books, beverages, fruit and other comfort items. The bedroom contained a king bed, chairs, television and other items. There was a large balcony with seats. It faced a large lake and some public athlete facilities. The bathroom was superior. It had a large tub, open shower, two sinks, toilet and lots of cabinets. It was bright, clean, open. We promptly went to sleep. Given the circumstances of our arrival, I must tell you, candidly, that we wonderd whether we were living a Stephen King novel experience. I woke up early, as i often do, the following morning. The co-owner (and spouse) was at the desk. She -- Nicole is her name -- gretted me warmly and offered assistance. I responded by requesting coffee. A housekeeper named Katie brought the coffee. I talk to Nicole while drinking several cups. Both Nicole and Katie noted immediately that I get up early and want coffee at that hour. Katie hadcoffee available to me each morning at the same spot before I arrived. I never ordered it; they readied themselves for my preferences. Our personal preferences were noted and recorded by the team throughout our stay. The team worked with determinationto make us comfortable. This small hotel -- it is not a Bed and Breakfast or a Guest House -- is conveniently located. It is about 20 minutes from central Cape Town and its waterfront. It is minutes from Fault Bay -- a beach and shopping area. It is about 30 minutes fromthe Cape of Good Hope and Cape Point. While we sould have rented a car, the hotel team made reservations for car services. It was clear to us that they knew the drivers well, and that they were not simply passing us off to anyone. The vehicles ere clean and safe and the drivers were pleasant. This is not a place to party, unless the participants are part of your small tribe. This is not a place for the beach, the bar or the lounge. While there exists some areas like this, it does not work here. Even though the house does not have a traditional hotel bar, the team brings drinks to you wherever you sit and relax. The hotel serves free breakfast. It wors for anyone, and is quite nice. Lunch is not available. Dinner is available. It is good, andis presented quite well. There is a team of female chefs who pepare very well. The Italian chef is okay, not great. This really is a superior hotel. It works for small groups or for small pairs. If you plant to bein the city, this does not work for you. Otherwise, you will love this small hotel. It is not to be loved for the grounds, the pool, the facility, the suites or anything else. Instead, it is to be loved only for the way this team headed by Michael and Nicloe will treat you This team is committed to your comfort. This attitude and focus works for me. The pool is okay. The beach is nearby. The shopping is nearby. The beach is nearby. Return to this small hotel often and regularly. Tell of hosts your thoughts: they will listen and respond.

We stayed here for a few days in Feb 2007 and would recommend this hotel for many reasons. The bedrooms were huge, beautifully decorated, spotless and supplied with an especially noteworthy carafe of the best sherry I have ever tasted! We did have slight trepidation on ringing the hotel to ask if children (2 and 5) were accepted as the hotel website looked worryingly well furnished. The hotel owners response was most welcoming and comforting. As the hotel is so beautifully furnished we were nervous throughout ,through no fault of the hotel's, but thankfully all of the hotel's staff made the children feel totally at home. Breakfast was delicious. A further nice touch was the way we were directed to some great local restaurants as the hotel does not serve dinner. I believe it can be ordered in by caterers but we actually relished the opportunity to discover what turned out to be some excellent local restaurants. Finally, the pool setting in the courtyard had amazing views and provided the icing on the cake.