Inge Moore and her London-based design team have completed the refurbishment of 48 guestrooms and suites in Cape Town’s Belmond Mount Nelson.

The goal was to recreate the original spirit of the hotel while updating it in a way that would engage the modern traveller, therefore Capetonian heritage and influences were the foundation of the designers’ thinking, leading to the incorporation of local materials, rustic timbers, beads and clay alongside crystal, silver cutlery and fine bone china.

Moore comments: “The Mount Nelson is one of a small handful of hotels that epitomise the inheritance and soul of their location, so they must be subtly moved on within the continuum of their beloved personality.”

The redesign sees windows and castings restored and painted white, while new drapery pelmets are smaller than before, effectively opening the windows and framing the views. The bed has been placed as the centrepiece of each guestroom, positioned to set the windows and view at its foot, whilst further heirloom furniture includes dark timber tables and cabinets with brass and leather detailing. Furnishings including a beaded mirror have also been introduced to balance the new elements, and all materials have been locally sourced.

Where the hotel once had timber flooring, oak flooring has been added, now adorned by rugs crafted by local carpet weavers. The new drapery is soft and calming and locally embroidered with a flower motif and bathrooms have been painted classic white, underscored by grey marble and elegant chrome taps.

Artwork is also a major part of the experience, with guestrooms accessorised by collections of objects and over-scaled paintings curated by Janine Bath in collaboration with Moore.

www.belmond.com

Photograph: Micky Hoyle