Pianist Mike Perry knows hotels, so when he says Southern Sun The Cullinan is one of his favourites, it speaks volumes.

For more than four decades, Perry has played the piano in the finest restaurants and elegant hotels in Cape Town and around the world, on cruise ships and just about anywhere there are ebony and ivory keys.

This writer first heard him at the piano in the Cape Sun hotel in the 1980s, so it was a nostalgic pleasure to hear and see him again at Southern Sun The Cullinan, on Cape Town’s foreshore, after about a 30-year break.

On a gloomy Sunday morning during Farmer’s Weekly’s visit, Perry entertained guests at the hotel’s lavish breakfast buffet, with some even approaching his piano to request their favorite songs.

Grand lobby

The Cullinan has had a major refurbishment and may well now be, once again, Southern Sun’s most stylish Cape Town hotel – the diamond in the Southern Sun crown, so to speak.

The grand lobby, possibly the most impressive lobby space in Cape Town on account of its triple-high volume and impressive double staircase, has an imposing classical colonnade with arched windows on either side.

Reception and guest services are in the glamorous apse, complete with a keystone above its arch and dancing bronze figurines on the wall.

Poolside eats

Allusions to stone-built Grecian temples abound; so too, perhaps, does an invitation to behave like Dionysus when one sees the all-glass wine cellar.

On the ground floor, poolside, is the Stella Café & Bar for all-day grazing, but other dining happens one floor above at The Peach Tree restaurant.

Pause to look down into the grand reception before entering the eatery to enjoy its buffet breakfast and dinner. With a Cape Malay influence, there are some favourites on the breakfast buffet, such as pickled fish, stewed Cape dried fruit, and pumpkin fritters.

For those with a sweet tooth, the waffle station has giant jars of mini marshmallows and Astros, caramelised popcorn, and sprinkles waiting to be topped with sweetened whipped cream.

For its 394 rooms, suites and public areas, Southern Sun The Cullinan adheres to a design philosophy that respects its timeless classical aesthetic while introducing a contemporary twist.

This careful balance is evident from the moment guests arrive. The newly tiled marble porte-cochere now greets visitors with a sense of fresh elegance and occasion and sets the tone for their stay.

Most photographed

Reflecting on the extensive refurbishment, General Manager Jacques Moolman says that when stepping into the hotel’s lobby, guests are met with a familiar yet rejuvenated scene.

“Ours is renowned as one of the most photographed hotel lobbies in the country, and the space has retained its iconic pillars while embracing a lighter, more modern colour palette,” he explains.

Stone and light-beige hues have replaced the former yellow tones, creating a serene atmosphere complemented by stylish furnishings and rich mahogany woodwork.

Moolman adds: “The Cullinan has always been a symbol of elegance and luxury. Our goal with this refurbishment was to honour our heritage while embracing the future. We believe we have succeeded in creating a space that offers both timeless beauty and contemporary comfort. We look forward to welcoming guests old and new to experience the enhanced Cullinan.”

Rooms underwent a complete soft refurbishment and now have smart TVs, individual Wi-Fi access points, updated lighting with dimmable options, and USB and USB-C ports.

With illuminated mirrors, the bathrooms are now even more glamorous than before, while under-the-hood improvements include optimised water temperature control that is “unseen but deeply felt by guests”, Moolman tells Farmer’s Weekly.

Free shuttle

The Cullinan has a large swimming pool that is cleverly protected on three sides by the hotel building itself, which means it is almost entirely sheltered from the wind. Guests also have access to the gym and Mangwanani spa.

There is a free shuttle service from The Cullinan to the V&A Waterfront, which is near enough to walk to if you wanted to. Its proximity to the Cape Town International Convention Centre and the Artscape Theatre Centre makes it a convenient base from which to explore Cape Town.

Phone 021 415 4000 or visit southernsun.com/the-cullinan.