Safe, Centrality at the Radisson Red
While most eyes are drawn to the unusual architectural sights of the Ziets Mocha and Silo Hotel, Cinderella is hard at work as the best kept secret in the Mother City. Practically in the same location (100 meters apart), with the same convenience, access to the V&A Waterfront and all its amenities, the Radisson Red gives any hotel a run for its money in the Waterfront District.
The hotel has worked hard at warming up the brutalist architecture of the surrounding area with a combination of punchy prime colours, shiny open floors and concrete columns decorated with warm lighting to ensure strength and space in its communal areas.
Easy Access
Having checked into the hotel (it can be done by yourself, but we prefer talking to the concierge) our room key enabled floor access from the lifts. With excellent views from the corridors, each room is small, but mighty. Clean (to our fussy South African standards), modern and safe – it’s central location to the V&A Waterfront and city bowl is excellent. (AJ even left to do a gig for a few hours while I lay about enjoying our staycation!)
Instant Tech
Being so closely located to the V&A Waterfront, we popped out to Gibson’s Burger joint for a burger and milkshake, but if you’ve been sightseeing all day and feeling like a little down time, the instructions on how to order room service are posted on the back of the suite door. *This has been updated to a universal Radisson Hotels App.
Breakfast is Served
Breakfast is usually included in the booking, however, for those who reserved without breakfast are still welcome to tuck in by using the in-house breakfast vouchers (R225 per person).
In the afternoons, the rooftop isn’t the only place with a vibe, as the general area also turns into a relaxed bar for sundowners and house beats. And, on the odd occasion, activations in the central courtyard outside provide extra entertainment and leisure during summer days (such as live music or swing dancers).
Residents’ First
Not only is the rooftop pool, craft bar and casual eatery a favourite with locals during summer, it’s also the perfect place to host a birthday party (I’ve done it!) while taking in exquisite views across the city. Currently there’s a R250 minimum spend per person (for day visitors unless it’s a formal event) and the pool and loungers are kept exclusively for guests to ensure residents always have access to the hotel’s facilities.
Final Impression
Having visited before the pandemic, we have returned on a number of occasions to enjoy the rooftop views or events, reinforcing how central, clean, convenient and safe the Radisson Red’s location and offering is – at a fraction of the price of other famous V&A Waterfront hotels(One & Only, Cape Grace, Silo, Table Bay). To us, the Radisson Red is the underdog of the district and winning every time.
