Latest news with #TheRitz
The Independent
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Hotel El Palace, Barcelona, review
As far as storied Barcelona addresses go, Hotel El Palace is right up there, having welcomed everybody from royals to rock and roll musicians through its grand Baroque-style entrance. It is home to a wonderful spa and a leafy rooftop pool, restaurant and outdoor cinema Location Situated in the Eixample District, it is nearby – on foot or via metro – to Gaudí's La Pedrera and Casa Batlló, as well as the Catalonian capital's famous market: La Boquería. It's a picturesque 25-minute stroll to the Sagrada Familia. Plus, you can hop on a metro and get to the beach in under half an hour. If shopping is your priority, high-end boutiques and high street stores sit just over 10 minutes away on Passeig de Gràcia. Plus, if you want to go slightly further afield to the picturesque El Born or Gothic neighbourhoods, taxis stop conveniently right outside the hotel's doors. The vibe Prior to its rebrand in 2005, Hotel El Palace, which first opened its doors in 1919, used to be The Ritz, Barcelona – and the hotel still bursts with the brand's classic opulence and glamour. Top-hatted doormen greet guests at the grand entrance, which is decorated with dark red scarlet curtains. The key to each room isn't a digitalised card but a weighty old-style key – complete with a large tassel – that you can leave at reception with the welcoming concierge when you head out to explore. Furnishings are unashamedly grand, with humongous chandeliers hanging in the 'hall', which serves as a walkway through the building and a luxurious bar. This is not to say El Palace is stuffy – this is the place where Dalí famously once had a horse sent up to his room. Royals and rock and roll musicians have spent the night here and, as such, the hotel has remained true to its affluent roots as well as moving with modern times. Service Nothing, absolutely nothing, is too much trouble for the staff at El Palace. They will print your boarding passes, get you tickets for shows, bring you yoga mats to work out in your room at 7am, and – if you're in a suite that comes complete with an actual coat and tails-wearing butler – unpack your suitcase for you. What's especially nice, though (other than being treated like an A-list celebrity) is the thoughtfulness of the staff. They're observant in a way that feels supremely caring and will do things like leave hotel-branded bookmarks on top of your books at turn down, on which the story of how in 1987 Freddie Mercury sat down at the hotel's piano and began to improvise a song that would later become Exercises in Free Love with his collaborator Montserrat Caballé. Bed and Bath The rooms at El Palace feel nothing less than regal. Decor-wise, they're more restrained than the rest of the hotel – lots of cream and ivory – than the hotel's ornate communal spaces, which ensures a feeling of calm. Throughout, comfort is king. The beds are generously large and endlessly comfortable. All rooms come with desks, lounge areas and rainfall showers, with most also having double sinks. The hotel's six Art Suites, each inspired by one of the hotel's famous regulars, come complete with a Roman bath-inspired mosaic shower first installed in 1919 and have their own living rooms. The Joan Miró suite – named after one of the city's most famous Catalan painters, sculptors and ceramists – comes with coffee table art tomes, as well as the hotel's vibrant and lengthy history. Complimentary water is provided in all the rooms. There's significant wardrobe space, a TV expertly hidden in a gold Baroque frame, and Nespresso machines, tea bags and fluffy white robes provided. Food and drink Each day starts with a breakfast buffet you may as well call a banquet in the hotel's El Jardín restaurant. Full English classics, fresh pastries, fresh juices, a selection of cheese and meats are all available in a picturesque, palm-house-type setting. At Amar restaurant, expect fresh seafood from head chef Rafa Zafra, live music, and mouth-watering cocktails in good company; Steven Spielberg, Bruce Springsteen and Barack Obama have all dined here. Or, if you're looking for something a little more relaxed, head up to the hotel's picturesque Rooftop Garden for oysters, tzatziki salad, tuna tartare, and a selection of salads, while looking out over 360-degree views of the city. A bottle of Cava disappears quickly when you're chatting up here. Facilities On the rooftop, there's a film club throughout the warmer months. Watching Hugh Grant profess his love to Andie MacDowell in Four Weddings and a Funeral while sipping on cocktails and watching the sunset over the distant Montserrat hills is the perfect low-key evening activity. El Palace's gym is small for a hotel of its size, with no windows and little space to do mat workouts like yoga or pilates. However, the rooms are so generous that it's possible to work out in your room and concierge staff will happily bring mats to your room if required. The spa is lovely, but also little, with three treatment rooms and a Tamazcal room, which is essentially a Mayan twist on a stone sauna. The upstairs pool, meanwhile, offers panoramic views and luxuriously plump sun loungers where you can enjoy oysters and champagne if you're feeling flush. Disability access Two suites at El Palace have full disabled access, while another two are semi-adapted. The pool is also accessible. Pet policy Dogs are allowed at El Palace, with pooches greeted on arrival with their own bed, water bowl, toy and Lily's Kitchen organic treats. Cats and other domestic animals aren't allowed, however, and only one dog is allowed per room for a €75 (£64) per day supplement charge. Check in/check out Check in at Hotel El Palace Barcelona is from 3pm and check out is until 12pm. Family friendly Children under 12 can stay for free, and kids are provided with a welcome kit on arrival that includes biscuits, juice and colouring books. Extra beds for children are €100 (£89), with connecting rooms available for families. Breakfast is free for those aged four and under. At a glance Best thing: The welcoming staff and luxurious yet homely atmosphere. Worst thing: The gym being a touch on the small side. Right for: Those who like their opulence with a side of cultural history. Not right for: Anyone on a budget. Instagram from: The open air cinema at sunset or the luxurious entrance hall.
Mail & Guardian
06-07-2025
- Business
- Mail & Guardian
A new chapter in the life of the glitzy Ritz hotel
Legendary: At its height, The Ritz had a classy revolving restaurant on its top. (Supplied) If you've ever driven through Sea Point in Cape Town and caught a glimpse of that tall, skinny building towering above Main Road, then you already know her. She's hard to miss at 23 storeys high, 80 metres tall, with sleek curves and a shiny skyline presence that still steals the show even when she's asleep. I'm talking, of course, about The Ritz Hotel. She's bold and legendary. And now, after standing empty for nearly seven years, she's finally been sold. Yes, the grande dame of Sea Point has officially changed hands in what insiders say was a deal worth anything from R240 million to R300 million. An international family-owned hospitality group has taken over from another family business that owned the property for decades. It's a big moment,not just for Cape Town real estate, but for everyone who remembers The Ritz for what she once was, and who dreams about what she could still become. And as someone obsessed with buildings, their stories and the strange, beautiful crossroads where the two meet, this one feels personal. Construction of The Ritz wrapped up in 1970, and even then, it was considered futuristic. The way it was built was ground-breaking for its time — literally. The hotel's rooms, including the bathrooms, were all prebuilt off-site using modular construction methods — a technique that feels modern even by today's standards — and dropped in, one by one, from the top of the structure. It was a bold, efficient way to construct a high-rise hotel in a prime location, and it earned the project a string of awards in the early 1970s. The original owner, Barney Hurwitz — a pharmaceutical mogul — was no stranger to risk or innovation. He was the man behind the vision and the money. But he also knew when to let the professionals run the show. In the mid-1980s, he contracted Protea Hotels to manage and market the building, and that's when The Ritz began its golden years. Under the watchful eye of general manager Alan Romburgh and his deputy, John Watson (who would later manage The Peninsula), the hotel thrived. The energy was electric. Celebrities stayed. Sports stars partied. And the two nightclubs on the ground floor — Paschas and In-Excess — became legendary spots on Cape Town's nightlife map. In-Excess, tucked away in the basement, was known for its wild energy, bold music and fashionable crowd. These were the years when The Ritz was a social magnet. A place to be seen. A place that hummed with the energy of the city. But perhaps the most poignant story ever told about The Ritz doesn't involve celebrities or champagne — it involves a president and a view. More specifically, Nelson Mandela's view from the top. After his release from Victor Verster Prison, Mandela stayed at The Ritz for more than two months. The manager at the time told me something that still gives me goosebumps: Madiba made his own bed and tidied his own room every day. He was reported as the only guest to ever do this daily. He rose at 4.30am and went for walks along the Sea Point promenade, flanked by his security. When he returned, he'd sit and have tea with the hotel manager. He once spoke about how, during his years on Robben Island, The Ritz was the one building that stood out on the mainland skyline. Sitting in the hotel years later and looking back at the island that once held him prisoner must have been an emotional full-circle moment. That story alone captures what this building means to Cape Town. It's more than bricks and mortar. It's memory. Legacy. Layers of lived experience. At its peak, The Ritz boasted two penthouses and 213 hotel rooms, with a legendary fine-dining restaurant called Top of the Ritz. The crown jewel that looks like a spaceship. The restaurant revolved. It made a full 360-degree rotation every hour, offering diners a moving feast of Atlantic views, city lights and Table Mountain silhouettes. Sydney Joseph was its first manager and was the place to celebrate life's milestones. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, the general manager was Bernard MD Cassar, a name that many in the industry will recognise. He graciously gave me his time to talk about those years, and I want to thank him here. Under Bernard's management, The Ritz was running at more than 80% occupancy. They even had a weekend special where you could stay for just R19.50. Can you imagine? But, like many grand hotels, The Ritz also had her darker chapters. Over the years, she became infamous for a series of tragic events, including a number of suicides. There are heartbreaking records of guests leaping from bathroom windows. And in one particularly chilling case, the hotel made front-page news for seven consecutive days after an axe murder took place in room 1803. Even so, the building soldiered on. Protea Hotels eventually stepped away and The Ritz became independently managed again. At one point it was operated by a company called African Sky, run by Gustav Krampe, himself a former food and beverage manager from the Protea team. The hotel underwent several refurbishments. In 2006, the iconic revolving restaurant was reopened. And in 2014, a large-scale renovation began to bring her back to life. At its height, The Ritz had all-round luxury. (Supplied) The Ritz had glitz, and she had glam. And then, she had the drama. In 2016, a new chapter seemed ready to begin. Celebrity couple Nicky van der Walt and Lee-Ann Liebenberg took over the lease of the building. Their company planned a dramatic relaunch, featuring R110 million in renovations, a fresh restaurant concept (Casa) with celebrity chef Bertus Basson, a champagne lounge backed by Dom Pérignon, and a nightclub with performances by Black Coffee. The dream was alive. The promise was seductive. But the fairytale unravelled quickly. Despite hosting a flashy launch party, the hotel never actually reopened. The landlord cancelled the 20-year lease agreement after nearly two years of no rent being paid, despite the R1.3 million a month rental obligation. The matter went to court. Nicky's company demanded R20 million in damages from the landlord. Then, in a twist worthy of a soap opera, Nicky resigned from his own company, and the saga ended with them vacating the property. Since then, the hotel has stood still and silent. Now, in 2025, The Ritz has finally been sold. Time for a new chapter. A hospitality group has stepped up to continue writing her story. Their portfolio of laid-back luxury, top hotels around the world is sure to make a statement with their latest acquisition in the Mother City. OKU Hotels is a Spanish hospitality brand best known for its beach resorts in Spain, Greece, Ibiza and Turkey. The brand is backed by Westfort Capital, a hotel investment fund that focuses on resort properties, as well as Alychlo NV, the private investment company of Belgian Marc Coucke. The website, under the coming soon tab, says: 'The team at OKU Hotels are constantly searching for opportunities to develop new OKU's, from Bali to Miami to the Maldives, our family is expected to grow soon – watch this space.' Whatever OKU decides to do with this site can only add value to Sea Point. The ground-floor retail spaces were more recently managed by Excellerate JHI, but the rest of the building has been dormant since July 2018. This sale marks more than just a transfer of ownership; it's the start of a reinvention and reimagining. She deserves it. Concrete isn't cold — it holds stories. And The Ritz is one of those places where personal history, architectural brilliance and urban identity intersect. Buildings aren't just structures; they're time machines, memory banks, cultural mirrors. I write about concrete because it's a language — one of ambition, legacy and the power of place. Got your own memories of The Ritz? Please share them with me. Ask Ash examines South Africa's property, architecture and living spaces. Continue the conversation with her on email (
IOL News
25-06-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Inside Sea Point's Ritz Hotel: Big hopes, shattered dreams and no sale . . . yet, but almost
Security guard Asive Kantyi escorts us through the dilapidated corridors. The Ritz Hotel is up for sale. This derelict Sea Point landmark has turned from icon, to eyesore in recent years. Since the pandemic, illegal occupiers had settled in the top few floors of the once-luxury hotel with breathtaking vistas. Today the hotel is empty. But the Revolving Restaurant and the hotel may still get its turn again. Located on the popular Atlantic Seaboard, the Ritz Hotel Cape Town is on the brink of being sold for about 300 million. Image: Armand Hough/ Independent Newspapers A matric certificate lies in a pile of other materials in a room in the condemned Ritz Hotel in Sea Point. In another corner is a fire fighter certificate. Under an old duvet cover is a job rejection letter. During Covid the once glamourous Ritz Hotel was taken over by hijackers, alleged prostitutes, drug dealers and... an 88-year-old woman who walked 17 flights of steps a day to go to 'her' abandoned room in the building. A bulding, that even without water and electricity, completely rundown, and with almost no maintenance over the years, still boasts the best views in the city. It's no wonder then that there is an offer of close to R300 million on the table for it by a foreign hotel consortium - not Dutch, not Spanish, not French, not even from Europe, as has been widely reported. They have almost signed the deal, says Bruce Hendricks, MD of Hendricks Harmse Attorneys, one of the representatives of the owners and whose company is managing the Ritz Hotel building. It could be a done deal by Friday, he says. Or not. "Let's say it is about 80% there." The present owners - the Hurwitz and Roffey families - have been in no rush to sell the building. In one of the biggest evictions - Hendricks and his team were able to get the hijackers out of the building in 2022 leaving the place ready for a new owner - and bringing down the crime level in that end of Sea Point substantially, say some. Not quite a soft launch: a walk through The Ritz. Image: Armand Hough/Independent Newspapers He says while there has been a lot of interest to buy the building over the years, the present contenders have been the most serious. Rising higher than most buildings in the hood - at 23 storeys - a walkabout inside yesterday revealed shattered dreams with glimmers of hope of a restoration to awaken its former glory days. Views from top of the Ritz Hotel Cape Town. Image: Armand Hough / Independent Newspapers You can't use the lift, so be prepared to climb 23 flights of stairs to be able to view the once glam revolving restuarant at the top. And you had best watch your step, even some of the marble stairs at the grand entrance hall are broken. The floors are strewn with bird feathers with some water puddles. Wallpaper with a quote from Nelson Mandela - who stayed at The Ritz after his release from Victor Verster Prison in 1990 - is half crumpled. "i walked out the door that led to my freedom... " The hotel has some legendary stories around it. Yet, even in its eeriness - dark passageways, concrete steps up 23 flights - you still gasp when you enter the once revolving restaurant on the highest floor: the views stretch across every angle of Sea Point. "I get many letters from people with stories about the hotel," says Hendricks. One man said he was conceived at the hotel, another recalls proposing at the restuarant. On social media old Sea Pointers have been reminiscing. It's an estate agents dream: Sweeping 360 views, conference facilities, a pool area, a restaurant... of course, it will be once it revamped. However the building lacks balconies, and while some windows are broken, we heard because of strong winds, some of the windows were made not to open. Like the Titanic of Sea Point - except not underground - tables and blue chairs are placed as though ready for business in the restuarant. On the floor lies an old invitation for a soft launch still in the time when Nicky van der Walt and his company had big dreams and a R120-million revamp in its pocket. Before the Cape Town High Court ordered Van de Walt and his company to vacate the building in July 2018, effectively halting the reopening. Inside the Ritz. Image: Vivian Warby
Daily Mirror
24-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Food reviewer told he has 'no class' after 'rude' act at The Ritz
Toby Inskip, known by his social media handle Eating with Tod, filmed himself enjoying a dining experience at The Ritz, but one 'rude' act left people declaring he has 'no class' A food reviewer on Instagram who regularly films his unique dining experiences across the country has been told he has "no class" after visiting The Ritz. Toby Inskip, known on social media as Eating with Tod, headed to the world-famous hotel to dine in its stunning restaurant, which was recently awarded a second Michelin star. But commenters on his latest Instagram video were not interested in the impressive array of dishes he was served during his visit and could only talk about one thing - his table manners. They claimed one thing he did while tucking into his lavish meal was so "rude" that it put them off the video, with others stating he has "no respect" for the "high-class restaurant". The Ritz is a five-star luxury hotel in London, and its two-Michelin-star restaurant is considered to be one of the most beautiful dining rooms in the world, complete with marble columns, chandeliers, and floor-to-ceiling windows that overlook nearby Green Park. When Tod visited the restaurant, he tucked into a seven-course tasting menu that cost £221 per person. He started with a selection of canapés and a wine list that he claimed was 73 pages long. He filmed himself tucking into pâté that he described as the best he'd ever had before moving on to a "sublime" dish of turbot, followed by truffle pasta. During this segment of his video, he praised The Ritz for their impressive sauces, and was seen drinking the last drops directly from the gravy boat he was given. Next was the "star of the show" - chestnut-fed pigeon. This dish involved several trolleys that were wheeled to Tod's seat, where restaurant staff could be seen making the sauces for his dinner right in front of his eyes. He said: "Every bite literally booted my tastebuds for six. I was not wasting anything. Who needs a dishwasher when the food tastes this good?" At this point, he made the faux pas that had people in the comments reeling - he licked his plate. One person commented: "Sorry, but you have no class here. Licking the plate at such a high-class restaurant is totally uncalled for. No respect." Another added: "Looks incredible. Your table manners, not so much. Why? Just why?" While a third posted: "Licking the plate and knife and eating with your hands? In the Ritz? Showing as much class as a school summer holiday." The meal didn't end there, though. Tod was served "the best cheese board" he had ever eaten, coupled with port from 1896 and topped off with a delicious chocolate soufflé for dessert. It seemed that The Ritz staff didn't mind his plate-licking antics either, as the restaurant's Instagram account responded in the comments with a heart-eyes emoji. And as many other commenters pointed out, licking the plate or miming the action is part of Tod's branding. He does a similar thing in many of his videos to show his appreciation for the food, and it isn't meant to be rude. One person stated: "I really appreciate how descriptive this was. Sometimes I'm a bit grossed out by the videos when you do kind of stuff your face, but licking a plate is very fun and feels like what I'd do. I know it's probably all branding. Also, as someone who'll never be able to afford the Ritz, thanks for sharing inside it." Another defended Tod's table manners, writing: "Why are so many people being so mean ... he's having the time of his life! Good on him, I'm so jealous!"
Daily Mail
12-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
The Ritz chef claims his £221 menu is 'the best value in London'
The Ritz's long-standing chef has claimed the hotel's two-Michelin-starred restaurant's £221 tasting menu is the 'best value in London '. John Williams MBE has been The Ritz Restaurant's executive chef for more than 20 years and has curated a high-end menu using only the finest ingredients. Despite charging £221 for the seven-course The Epicurean Journey menu or £199 for the five-course version, he 'solemnly' believes his cuisine is the best value in the city. The seven-course experience allows diners to sample the best Williams MBE has to offer and includes signature plates of native lobster, duck liver, Dorset crab and pigeon. Because the chef goes above and beyond to source the finest British ingredients and ensures his kitchen employs the 'highest level of technique', Williams MBE believes his prices are a steal. 'I believe solemnly, 100 per cent, [that] I'm the best value in London, for cost of product and then selling price. Value for money is everything that I believe in,' he told The Telegraph. When Williams MBE started his role at The Ritz in 2004, his first change was to lower the prices of the menu du jour by £10 - which was a significant amount 21 years ago. The tasting menus can change depending on what produce is in season and feature an array of signature dishes. While most fine dining establishments strive for the best ingredients, Williams MBE believes he takes his produce sourcing to the next level. 'You could interview 100 chefs, they're all going to say that,' he said. 'Let me tell you there's only about three or four of them looking for the very, very best, and capable of paying the very, very best. Some of my ingredients are extreme in price.' Williams MBE told The Telegraph that he buys his Dublin Bay prawns for up to £9 each and the champagne and lobster sauces on his turbot dish are so precise, they are the sole responsibility of one chef. On today's seven-course epicurean menu, diners start with a plate of Dorset crab with crème fraiche and imperial caviar before being served a ballotine of duck liver with damson, a small plum-like fruit, and pistachio. Third in the line-up is the Native lobster with spiced carrot and lemon verbena then the Agnolotti, a stuffed pasta, with black truffle and Parmesan. Next is the chestnut-fed pigeon then dessert starts with grapefruit with lemon pepper and buttermilk. There is the decadent Ritz Signature Chocolate hazelnut and fudge to finish off the meal. What is on The Ritz Restaurant's £221 seven-course menu? Dorset Crab, Crème Fraiche and Imperial Caviar Ballotine of Duck Liver, Damson and Pistachio Native Lobster, Spiced Carrot and Lemon Verbena Agnolotti, Parmesan and Black Truffle Chestnut Fed Pigeon À la Presse Grapefruit, Lemon Pepper and Buttermilk The Ritz Signature Chocolate Hazelnut and Fudge The £199 five-course menu has the crab and duck liver, and Suffolk lamb as well as the famous Cornish turbot with two sauces; one made from lobster and the other from the Ritz Reserve Champagne Barons De Rothschild. For dessert, diners are served the grapefruit and, to finish, wild strawberry with lemon verbena and lime. To accompany the food, customers can add five or six glasses of wine selected to pair perfectly with the Epicurean Journey. Wine packages range from £140 to £750 meaning, with the 12.5 per cent discretionary service charge, one diner could pay almost £1,000 for the entire experience. According to The Ritz's website, the menus are 'fitting ways to impress a client with a corporate lunch, enjoy quality time with friends or family over a weekend lunch, or celebrate a special occasion with a memorable dinner.' Those who can fork out the eye-watering prices will have to wear their finest attire so as to not break the Ritz's strict dress code. Men are required to wear a jacket and tie and ripped jeans, trainers and sportswear are explicitly forbidden. This week, The Ritz Restaurant was named the UK's best at the National Restaurant Awards. Speaking exclusively to MailOnline, Williams MBE, said, 'With so many great restaurants across the UK, it is a true honour and privilege to receive this recognition. 'This award is a testament to our commitment to culinary evolution and affirms that, whilst The Ritz Restaurant is part of an historic landmark, it continues to remain relevant.' 'London's most decadent dining room is a wonderful and memorable assault on the senses,' the National Restaurant Awards wrote after revealing the prestigious rankings. Alongside the restaurant's 'exceptional' food, judges noted the allure of the opulent dining room settings.
