Walk into the Hotel Sky in Cape Town's Foreshore, and you'll immediately be mesmerised by giant crystal chandeliers floating above your head like expensive glass clouds.
As you look up in awe, the glittering gold tiled walls that stretch from the floor to the ceiling will make you feel like you've just teleported to a hotel on the famous Las Vegas Strip.
While your mind's still busy processing everything, you'll hear a friendly robot voice welcoming you to your destination. Staring up at you with bright LED eyes will either be Mika, Skyla, or Maya.
These three futuristic robot concierges are there to welcome you inside and assist with whatever you need.
The Hotel Sky in Cape Town is one of two that opened in South Africa during the pandemic, employing two teams of both industry professionals and passionate starters. A great booster to local tourism and job creation. The second hotel can be found in Sandton.
Another positive that comes with opening a hotel in the year 2021 is that it comes fitted with cutting-edge technology, including full WiFi coverage, remote digital bookings and check-in, app-based door keys, a personalised digital room experience that welcomes you on the TV screen when you walk in, Chromecast so you can seamlessly access your Netflix and DStv account from your hotel bed, and a Grand Piano in one of the restaurant lobbies that plays itself as guests arrive.
There are also plug and USB charging ports throughout the hotel, making it easy to connect your devices wherever you are in the building.
What more could you want? Well, there's a lot more on offer - starting with the panoramic views of the Mother City, from the ocean to Table Mountain and everything in-between. There are some hidden gems in the hotel where you'll get the best view, like Sky on Long Bar and Lounge, perched on the hotel's 28th floor.
The venue is one of the city's best-kept secrets and is open from Thursdays to Sundays during the holiday season. Signature cocktails and delicious light meals are available for both hotel guests and locals. Entry is on a first-come-first-serve basis, so arrive early to secure your view of choice.
Below the bar, on the 27th floor, you'll find Infinity Restaurant with 360-degree mountain and sea views. Here you'll find delicious comfort food "like alcohol-free beer-battered hake, a BBQ pulled pork burger on a brioche bun, prawn tagliatelle in a spicy tomato bisque sauce or smoked chicken breast with green beans, charred bell peppers, salty capers, coriander and an orange dressing".
Make sure you try the signature Infinity cocktail shaken with Bacardi, mango, strawberry and curaçao, and don't forget to book ahead of time.
But the pièce de resistance, with the ultimate lookout over Cape Town, is undoubtedly the gravity-defying Sky-Hi Ride on the roof. Climb into one of the chairs of the 35m-high thrill ride and slowly get hoisted into the air before plunging down again at 100km/h.
The ride is one of only three in the world. The ride, which costs R200pp, is only open from Wednesdays to Sundays at specific times, weather permitting. Visit the site to get your tickets.
Hotel Sky has also invested in an exciting new collaboration with Lift Airlines, offering free one-way tickets as part of their Sandton and Cape Town packages.
The packages include:
3-night package from R5200 for 2
5-night package from R9950 for 2
7-night package from R11450 for 2
