As the founding property of the Living Journey Collection, which celebrates a decade as a leading luxury accommodation provider in 2025, Zest Boutique Hotel holds a special place in the portfolio established by Friedrich and Lorraine Schaefer in October 2015.
More than merely the first acquisition, Zest embodies the couple’s vision of boutique hospitality that connects with guests through distinctive character, genuine warmth, and unwavering attention to detail.
Celebrating zany design
Step into Zest’s reception area and you’re immediately transported to another era — one of bold experimentation and unapologetic style. The property pays homage to its previous incarnation as Zest Villa through a dedicated space showcasing ephemera from that earlier life.
The design aesthetic conjures both Stanley Kubrick’s A Clockwork Orange and the cutting-edge design studios of 1960s and 1970s London.
Bright colours and mod styling create what can only be described as retro glam with an edge. This isn’t mere nostalgia or theme-park kitsch; Zest successfully blends its disco-era influences with contemporary sophistication. It is a thoroughly current South African property despite its owners’ international backgrounds.
The vibrant lounge area exemplifies this balance, offering comfortable spaces where guests can enjoy complimentary all-day tea and coffee alongside a daily cake offering, all while surrounded by design elements that celebrate mid-century modernism at its most exuberant.
Thoughtful outdoor spaces
Beyond the arresting interiors lies a pretty, enclosed garden that offers a different sort of sanctuary. The swimming pool is surrounded by poolside loungers positioned amongst lemon and avocado trees. These aren’t merely decorative; the kitchen harvests from these trees, connecting the property’s design philosophy with a commitment to fresh, local and sustainable ingredients.
The garden demonstrates that while Zest celebrates bold interior design, it equally values the restorative qualities of verdant outdoor spaces. The combination of lush planting, productive fruit trees, and well-appointed pool areas creates multiple micro-environments within the compact property.
Accommodation with character
With 14 rooms, Zest maintains an intimate scale that permits genuinely personalised service. Each room bears a distinctive style and some suites like Xanadu, face directly onto towards the swimming pool—and all are appointed to the same high standards expected throughout The Living Journey Collection.
King-size beds, en-suite bathrooms, in-room laptop safes, LED/plasma televisions, free Wi-Fi, and air conditioning come as standard.
Insider tip
Room 10, located on the top floor, merits particular mention for its exceptional natural light. A run of windows encompassing the bedroom, bathroom, and toilet floods the space with sunshine and fresh air, transforming what might be utilitarian spaces into genuinely uplifting environments. The bathroom features a double vanity and, like all rooms throughout the property, stocks Healing Ocean biodegradable products from Healing Earth.
Service exceeds expectations
The true measure of any hotel lies not in its design or amenities, but in its people and their approach to hospitality. Here, Zest excels. Operations manager Elton Haynie demonstrates the depth of knowledge and genuine care that characterises the property. Rather than reciting rehearsed recommendations, he draws on extensive personal experience to suggest quality options tailored to individual guests’ interests.
This commitment to going beyond the expected manifests in countless small but telling ways. When this guest requested mayonnaise with softly poached eggs at breakfast – an item the kitchen lacked – Haynie personally ran to Woolworths to purchase it rather than simply apologising for its absence.
Such dedication typifies the top-tier of hotels that understand service means delivering what guests want, not explaining why you cannot.
With only 14 rooms, staff quickly learn guests’ names and preferences, creating an atmosphere of familiarity rare in commercial hospitality. The approximately 170 employees across the Living Journey Collection – almost one-third of whom have been promoted from within, clearly take pride in their work, particularly the outreach programmes supporting local education and development, including making beaded bracelets for guests.
Elevated amenities
Zest shares several amenities with its sister property, The Tree House. The breakfast and all-day dining menus are consistent across both Green Point properties, as is access to spa therapists. What sets both properties apart from typical boutique hotels is the quality of complimentary offerings.
The Pod/Hausbrandt bean-to-cup coffee machines dispense the full spectrum of espresso beverages and lattes, not the instant coffee or basic filter options found in many upmarket establishments. The RonneFeldt designer tea collection represents the pinnacle of commercial tea service.
These hot beverages are included in the room rate, whilst the bar’s outstanding collection of South African gins and local wines can be charged to one’s account for settlement on departure.
The complimentary daily cake, cocktail hour snacks at the bar, and even the alcohol-free welcome drink – a proper mixologist’s creation – demonstrate a philosophy of genuine hospitality rather than mere provision of services.
Sustainability in practice
Zest takes environmental responsibility seriously, integrating sustainable practices throughout its operations.
The buckets that appeared in Cape Town showers during the water shortage remain, collecting runoff that is treated and used for cleaning balconies and watering gardens. This practical approach to conservation, coupled with the exclusive use of biodegradable bathroom products, reflects genuine commitment rather than greenwashing.
A prime Greenpoint location
Positioned in Green Point, Zest offers ideal access to the area’s cosmopolitan dining scene and the Atlantic seaboard’s attractions. Quality, affordable restaurants sit within easy walking distance, including Mano’s (not to be missed, according to those in the know), Giovanni’s Deli, Hudson’s Burgers, LA Farms, and Woolworths Foods. The property provides shuttle and tour-booking services, with charges settled upon departure.
Heritage and value
As the founding property of The Living Journey Collection, Zest holds particular significance. Friedrich and Lorraine Schaefer, who met while working in New York hospitality during the late 1980s—chose to begin their portfolio with a property that celebrated bold design whilst maintaining the intimate, personalised service they value.
The couple’s extensive experience at leading global hotels, including Friedrich’s time at The Westbury and Lorraine’s at Plaza Athénée, informs every aspect of Zest’s operation. Their stated goal “to create places where guests feel truly cared for”, manifests in the property’s combination of striking aesthetics and genuine warmth.
While five-star grading might suggest steep pricing, the comprehensive offering represents genuine value. The quality of design, standard of service, included amenities, and unexpected extras combine to justify the investment.
Participation in The Living Journey Collection’s loyalty programme provides a 10% discount on direct online bookings plus a complimentary bottle of wine, with a special 20% discount available for stays between 1 and 19 December.
The verdict
Zest Boutique Hotel succeeds in what many properties attempt but few achieve: creating a distinctive environment that delights rather than merely accommodates. The celebration of 1960s and 70s design could have been gimmicky.
Instead, it’s executed with sophistication and genuine affection for the era’s creative daring. Combined with contemporary amenities, environmental consciousness, and service that consistently exceeds expectations, Zest offers an experience that lingers in memory long after checkout.
