A sparkling array of festive feasts and holiday magic.
The twinkling city lights reflected in the canals of the private marina, and a spotlit Table Mountain silhouetted against starry summer skies give One&Only Cape Town a celebratory air no matter the season. But over Christmas and New Year, the world-class resort (just a stroll away from the buzz of the V&A Waterfront), adds even more layers of festive cheer and artisanal elegance.
A tree-lighting ceremony kicks off the holiday season with a flurry of festive feasts, live music from local artists, a plethora of activities for all the family.
Lighting up the Christmas tree
Every year One&Only Cape Town kicks off the festive season with a tree-lighting ceremony in the Vista Bar & Lounge. To the rhythm of traditional African drumming, sip glasses of bubbly with canapés, and surrender to the spell of sparkling lights and the shimmering holiday magic.
When 13 December 2024
Time 5pm – 7pm
A festive afternoon tea
One to add to your list of must-do Christmas traditions, One&Only’s renowned afternoon tea in the Vista lounge takes on an extra dash of celebratory panache over this period. Against the backdrop of a twinkling Christmas tree, expect a delightful twist on traditional classics, laced with beloved African flavours and favourites, as you soak up grand-stand views of Table Mountain.
Cost R595
When 14 – 30 December 2024
Time 2pm – 5pm
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Christmas Eve dinner at ROOI
An all-out feast to usher in the celebrations, Christmas Eve at ROOI sees you sitting down to a five-course set menu (with choices) of festive cuisine to the soulful sounds of Cape Jazz. Think kudu carpaccio, flame-grilled tuna, turkey roulade, wagyu Denver steak, roast cauliflower and more, with Christmas pudding, Hertzoggies or lemon passion parfait for dessert.
Cost R1 750 (excluding beverages)
R850 (child 5 – 12 years)
When 24 December 2024
Time 6pm – 11pm
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Christmas lunch at ROOI
Christmas Day unfolds around a jubilant and expansive lunch spread. A cornucopia of delicious dishes is piled high at each serving station, so you browse your way from cold starters of artisanal breads and antipasti, to a seafood table that features hot-smoked salmon, yellowfin tuna tataki, West Coast oysters, and more.
Move on to cold meats such as shaved Parma ham, fynbos-smoked springbok, or chicken tikka with lemon atchar, and a table of vibrant salads. The hot buffet covers the old-school Christmas traditions with roast beef and Yorkshire pudding, roast lamb, turkey roulade, honey-mustard gammon and more. And save room for the panoply of puddings and patisserie. Live music creates a vibrant atmosphere and there is a medley of fun activities to entertain the children.
Cost R2 750 (excluding beverages)
R1 750 (children 5 – 12 years)
When 25 December 2024
Time 12.30pm – 3.30pm
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An omakase Christmas at Nobu
Renowned Japanese-Peruvian-inspired Nobu restaurant is also in festive mode over Christmas with a specially created omakase chef’s set menu (with optional wine pairings). Feast your way in a leisurely progression through Japanese yellowtail, Canadian lobster salad, a selection of sushi, red snapper with yuzu saffron sauce, nori-crusted lamb loin, and morello cherry bavoise with spiced miso crumble.
Good to know If you prefer, the à la carte menu is also available as usual
Cost R2 995 (excluding beverages)
When 24 – 26 December 2024
Time 6pm – 10pm
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New Year’s Eve Dinner at ROOI
Ring in the New Year with a feast for the senses at ROOI, where a six-course prix fixe menu celebrates the rich, fragrant flavours of South African cuisine. Fynbos-cured Franschhoek smoked trout, grilled South Coast rock lobster, Josper-roasted duck leg, venison loin with walnut and rosemary, salt-baked celeriac and wagyu steak are just some of the dishes, followed by a white-chocolate-and-raspberry-delice snow globe, and a cheeseboard for the table. Then you’re invited to join the New Year’s Eve party in the Vista Bar and Lounge for a final flourish.
Cost R5 000 (excluding beverages)
When 31 December 2024
Time 6pm – 11pm
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New Year’s Eve Dinner at Nobu
An exquisite New Year’s Eve omakase menu of Japanese-Peruvian flavours pushes the boat out for a last blast of 2024. Feast on Aburi scallops with spicy truffle ponzu and caviar, carabinero prawn and inaniwa salad, a selection of sushi, and Chilean sea bass. Then there’s chargrilled wagyu steak with butter miso and truffle, followed by dark chocolate parfait and marinated peach for dessert. After this leisurely feast, segue through to the Vista Bar and Lounge and join the glitz and excitement of ringing in the New Year at the glamorous party.
Good to know A reduced à la carte menu is also available
Cost R9 500 (excluding beverages)
When 31 December 2024
Time 6pm – 11pm
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New Year’s Eve Party
An iconic countdown, a spectacular balloon drop, live entertainment and dancing the night away this is a New Year’s Eve party thrown in glamorous style. Bubbles and canapés, a sparkle photo booth and sprinklings of seasonal magic, it’s a spectacular evening for hotel and dinner guests to welcome in the new year with panache.
Festive fun for hotel guests
If you’re staying at the resort there’s a host more to look forward to: mixology masterclasses at ROOI, Santa’s workshop, culinary classes and treasure hunts for the children (as well as a Santa’s postbox, and a visit from an SUPing Santa on Christmas morning), cocktail parties with festive activities, Christmas breakfasts and New Year’s brunches, and the list goes on…
MAKE A RESERVATION
The magic of an African Christmas is in sparkling form in this beautifully luxurious waterside setting.
Contact 021 431 5888, guestexperience@oneandonlycapetown.com
Where to find it Dock Road, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town
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