Cape Town, South Africa’s Famed Mount Nelson Hotel Fetes 125 Years

01.04.2024 - 10:11 / forbes.com / Art

Located at the foot of beautiful Table Mountain, Mount Nelson, A Belmond Hotel, is Cape Town’s most iconic hotel. As it celebrates its 125th year, this acclaimed property is set to wow guests with a year-long celebration filled with cultural festivities, art and more. Known locally as "The Nellie," this pink property has been a cornerstone of Cape Town's heritage since it launched in 1899. Here’s what to expect in 2024.

A Canvas of Creativity: MITICO and the Art of Daniel Buren

Marking the launch of Belmond and Galleria Continua’s third annual art series, famed artist Daniel Buren invites you to take a moment to ponder his oeuvre: Colourful Halt for Mount Nelson, work in situ, 2023. The new piece hugs the garden fountain, a historical landmark that has existed since the hotel was opened 125 years ago. Using the fountain’s round shape as his base, Buren put three tall pillars that alternate between mirrors and stripes. This placement of patterns joyfully interacts with the surrounding landscape, resulting in an energetic burst of light and movement as guests pass. The artwork can be viewed by both guests and visitors from 16 February 2024 until 15 February 2025.

Art and Sculptures Throughout the Hotel

Overseen by celebrated artistic duo Heinrich Groenewald and Shona van der Merwe of RESERVOIR, the exhibition “Mother City,” is a set of works from the Norval Foundation’s Homestead Collection that features 20th-century South African artists and contemporary artists from the entire African continent and its diaspora. This collection brings together a diverse array of artworks that explore motherhood, care, and heritage and will highlight pieces from celebrated artists like Athi-Patra Ruga, Zanele Muholi, and Dada Khanyisa. With Cape Town, fondly known to residents as the “Mother City”, as a backdrop, the artworks explore subjects like motherhood, care, and culture through a variety of mediums. “Mother City” runs at the Mount Nelson until October 2024. Guided art tours can be arranged.

A Toast to Tradition: Anniversary Retail Collection

In honor of its 125^th year, Mount Nelson is launching a special retail collection made in collaboration with local artists. Items include a 125-year commemorative tea and coffee blend (a nod to the hotel’s famous Afternoon Tea), a lovely tea set designed by the artist Sindiso Khumalo and a limited-edition Mount Nelson Pink Gin that comes complete with labels designed by three local artists. The hotel also extends its celebrations to include pets, with a luxury pet accessories range created in collaboration with Chommies, that’s modeled by the property’s beloved cat, Nellie.

Confections x Collections: A Fusion of Fashion and Flavor

November brings the return of