Destinations, Feature Trips, South Africa, twoOregonians Tour the Cape

Cappuccinos and a Couples Massage on the Cape Town Waterfront

October 17, 2012

Near the end of our South African road trip, Ted and I pulled back into Cape Town in our little rental car, glad for a secure parking spot and a place sit still for a few days. We’d been invited to take in the scenes on the Cape Town Waterfront during a stay at Lawhill Luxury Apartments, and with a setting like this, how could we not enjoy a little luxurious R&R, a massage at Urban Beauty, and a cozy cup of coffee at Vovo Telo? Yes, please, and thank you!


Our Cape Town apartment: upper right hand, fourth floor, overlooking the private waterfront shared with the beautiful One & Only…

The V&A Waterfront (that’s Victoria and Alfred, not Victoria and Albert – important distinction)


After a restful night’s sleep at our home-away-from-home, we walked from our apartment down to the waterfront to find Urban Beauty Spa, anticipating bliss after hiking through indigenous forests and spending thousands of kilometers crisscrossing the Cape in bus and rental car bucket seats.

We found the tower and found the cozy spa spot tucked just steps away.

Orchids? Always a good sign…


We left the cameras, bags, and worries of the world and retreated into the quiet space.

Little details.

Tiny starry lights piercing the wooden sauna ceiling.

Flickering candles.

Plush robes and calming music.

Between Ted’s heroic left-handed stick-shift no-cruise-control driving and my hunching over the laptop for a-few-too-many-hours, we were so grateful for the chance to have knots worked out and bodies rejuvenated.


All-smiles, post-massage

By the time we made our way back to the lobby, we were loose and limber, dreaming of our upcoming jet to Zanzibar Island, feeling refreshed and ready to again take on the world.

Huge thanks to the kind team of staff who made our visit to Urban Beauty Spa a memorable part of our time in Cape Town.

Afterward, we window shopped our way along the waterfront facades, and artisan baked goods and creamy cappuccinos lured us in to Vovo Telo. The cafe had the cutest little resident sparrow hopping among tables and flying in the rafters…

It was just the sort of spot that made me miss Portland; it could’ve easily been nestled between storefronts on NE Alberta – and if it was, I’d be making coffee dates left and right!






Winding down from zigging and zagging, excited to soon be zipping to Zanzibar, our string of days on the waterfront provided refreshment in every way, and we’re both so grateful for the kindness of Lawhill & Urban Beauty in making us feel quite at home.

WHAT TO KNOW:
V&A Waterfront
Shopping, people watching, live-music listening, and coffee drinking galore

Lawhill Luxury Apartments
Read more about our stay here…

Urban Beauty Spa
Urban Beauty on Facebook
Offering every traveler’s (not-so-secret) wish: 60 & 90 Minute Jet-Lag Recovery Massage

Vovo Telo
@vovotelo
Cape Town Harbour
Victoria and Alfred Waterfront
7:30 AM – 9:00 PM

Are you the type to splurge on a spa day or an extra creamy cappuccino? Any favorites in your hometown?

(P.S. In Portland, my perfect massage & hot drink combo would be an appointment with my friend Crystal and a piping mug of chai at Townshend’s! Neither of them know I’m making the recommendation — but if you’re in the market, you must give them a try.)


This post is part of our €œtwoOregonians Tour the Cape€ series featuring quintessential and offbeat South African experiences, one-of-a-kind accommodations and beautiful B&Bs, respectful wildlife programs, social service projects, and landscape photography from the South African Cape. As always, all opinions, photos, and stories are our own; many thanks to our kind hosts and partners along the way. It was our pleasure to experience such genuine kindness and hospitality!


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15 Comments

  • Reply Andi of My Beautiful Adventures October 18, 2012 at 3:28 am

    I am sooooo jealous! Cape Town is one of my most favorite cities in the world!!!

    • Reply Bethany ~ twoOregonians October 18, 2012 at 8:15 pm

      I can completely understand why! We fell in love with it, too : )

  • Reply Kim October 18, 2012 at 3:31 am

    It looks beautiful you guys! You’re right, that little coffee shop could definitely live on NE Alberta.

    • Reply Bethany ~ twoOregonians October 18, 2012 at 8:16 pm

      Thanks, Kim! I’m glad you see the resemblance, too : ) It’s so lovely finding those little reminders of home out there in the wide world…

  • Reply Annette October 18, 2012 at 3:43 am

    One of our favorite places is Rejuvenation Spa and Massage. We have never been disappointed and always relaxed when visiting them.

    PS I see you are wearing the necklace you purchased from Charity..

    Keep the stories coming.. I enjoy them immensely!

    • Reply Bethany ~ twoOregonians October 18, 2012 at 8:20 pm

      You have a good eye, Annette! I do love that necklace. It became part of my travel uniform very quickly ; )

      Thank so much for the recommendation on Rejuvenation. I’ve heard the name in passing, but I’ve never been and I’ve never heard directly from anyone who’s visited. I’m glad to know you have been so happy with them! It’d be fun to pay a visit someday when we’re back home. : )

  • Reply Tony October 18, 2012 at 12:00 pm

    I had to drive left automatic in Thailand and beyond being a work out, it is mentally STRESSFUL! Ted is a superhero for driving left handed stick for that journey… crazy!

    • Reply Bethany ~ twoOregonians October 18, 2012 at 8:26 pm

      Hey Tony, I 100% agree! He’s seriously a superhero after all that! I was peeved with myself for not being able to confidently drive stick and help him out. I drove an automatic in New Zealand and loved it, but I definitely wasn’t any help in South Africa. (Wait, does doling out snack food on the drive count as being helpful?)

      Good job to you, too, braving the Thailand traffic. We didn’t drive a car in Thailand, but we did head out on a motorbike for a bit. Wow. Good times… Glad we’re all still in one piece!

  • Reply Paul October 18, 2012 at 4:54 pm

    I want some espresso now. And a massage. Time to go to Cape Town, I guess!

    • Reply Bethany ~ twoOregonians October 18, 2012 at 8:33 pm

      You got that right! ; )

      Or……………you could take a raincheck from C.T. and get a pretty fine brew & backrub AND a visit with friends if you make those plans for Portland instead. Just hang tight a few more months…

  • Reply The Not Nevilles October 18, 2012 at 8:36 pm

    Sounds like a wonderful way to spend time. Craving a cappuccino now!

    • Reply Bethany ~ twoOregonians October 21, 2012 at 5:22 pm

      It really was! A complete and total treat : ) Hopefully you’ve got a cozy coffee spot somewhere near you?? xx

  • Reply Carmel October 19, 2012 at 12:09 am

    Well, I will be looking up your friend now. I got a massage recently and it was good, but not meltingly good. We live really close to Townshend’s…I should check it out!

    • Reply Bethany ~ twoOregonians October 21, 2012 at 5:50 pm

      Carmel, Crystal is absolutely phenomenal. I met her when I needed physical therapy, and I’m so glad to have discovered her practice. (Though a friendly referral would have been much better than an auto accident as the reason for me to make an appointment!) She’s wonderful at making people feel instantly comfortable and well cared for – I hope you get a chance to meet her! AND, I hope you make it to Townshend’s and have a little sip on my behalf : )

      Thanks for reading!
      xx Bethany

  • Reply Jennifer October 21, 2012 at 7:06 pm

    Sounds like a wonderful way to spend the day! I don’t get massages very often, but the once in a great while that I do, I always think “why on earth don’t I do this more often?”

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