On the ground floor, the hallowed halls of the Reserve Bank have been restored to house the Bombay Brasserie, an Indian fine-dining restaurant. The elegant décor and authentic Indian cuisine offer a more formal and exotic culinary experience.

Stepping in from the bustle of Wale Street, the Twankey, a seafood and champagne bar is a relaxed, but sophisticated gathering place, ideal for a fresh seafood snack and glass of excellent South African wine with friends. Local bands often provide live evening entertainment. The Twankey also incorporates a coffee bar serving light meals.

The restored ground floor of the Reserve Bank, with the original marble columns, skylight and lion medallions pressed into the ceilings, remains a triumph to the fastidiousness of James Morris, who designed the building in 1929. He famously bullied the Astronomer Royal into measuring the position of the sun every day that year to ensure the banking hall, now lobby, would be bathed in Cape sunlight.

Leading off this magnificent lobby are a formal lounge, cocktail bar and a cigar bar.

The Jiva Spa is a feature of the hotel which should prove popular with both guests and Capetonians. Jiva Spas draw from Ayurveda, an ancient Indian healing tradition, and deliver a range of signature treatments, yoga and meditation. The spa includes two suites dedicated to skin, nail and beauty treatments, four generously sized massage suites, a double massage suite with a jacuzzi and an Ayuvedic consultation and treatment suite.

A fitness centre comprises a fully equipped Technogym, heated indoor pool, two saunas and male and female changing areas.

The Taj Cape Town is a blend of the historic and contemporary Cape Town, seamlessly blending history and heritage with the comfort and convenience of a modern, luxury hotel. It is also at the epicentre of a rejuvenated city centre, where an array of top restaurants offer a smorgasbord of local and international cuisine, nightlife abounds and shoppers can choose from international brands and African crafts. The real Mother City experience – rich history and a blend of cultures, art, entertainment and cuisine – is all here.

Check room availability now, and experience fine dining in Cape Town, luxurious spa treatments and a host of cultural experiences when you visit the Taj Cape Town hotel.