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A Weekend at Sea Point’s President Hotel: a Pet-Friendly Paradise
Sea Point has long been a haven for walkers, runners, and dog lovers. With its endless promenade, sea breeze, and vibrant café culture, it’s the kind of place that makes you forget about the rest of the world — at least until Monday rolls around. But this time, we decided not to rush home. Instead, we turned a day trip into a weekend getaway — and our pups couldn’t have been happier.
Check-In With a Smile
From the moment we rolled up at the President Hotel, we were treated like old friends. The security guard at the gate set the tone right away — cracking jokes and even asking for our TV licence instead of our driver’s licence.
Being my usual prepared self, I had read up on the hotel’s pet policy, so I knew that our dogs needed to wait in the car during check-in. Inside, the warm welcome continued. The receptionist offered us glasses of homemade iced tea, and while Michael politely declined at first, he quickly changed his mind after tasting mine. (Will he ever learn to trust me?)
The check-in process was quick and seamless. Before long, a porter was on hand to help with our luggage while we went to fetch the dogs. A quick note for fellow pet parents — cars can heat up fast, especially in Cape Town’s summer sun, so it’s best to have one person check in while the other stays with the pups.
A Room Built for Dogs — and Humans
All of the hotel’s pet-friendly rooms are conveniently located on the ground floor, opening onto a shared garden area. That means leads are a must, but the setup makes life easy for quick walk breaks.
As soon as we opened the door, we were met with a delightful surprise — doggy welcome packs! Each platter featured three homemade biscuits with the word Welcome written in peanut butter, along with two packets of Vondi’s treats.
Us humans weren’t forgotten either — a bottle of wine and three slabs of chocolate were waiting on the table. The room was fully equipped with Dog’s Life beds, food bowls, and even a poop scoop. In short, all we really needed to pack was dog food.
Cobalt, ever the opportunist, immediately spotted the doggy menu on the table. I’m still convinced that if we’d left him alone for too long, he’d have figured out how to phone room service himself.
Sunset Pizza & Promenade Strolls
Once unpacked, we leashed up the dogs and set off along the Sea Point Promenade, the heart and soul of the neighbourhood. I had visions of sushi and wine at sunset, but the Cape Town wind had other ideas. Instead, we wandered down to the bustling street food corner near the swimming pool, where the smell of freshly baked pizza won us over.
With a warm pizza box in hand, we watched the sun dip below the Atlantic — a perfect end to a perfect first day. (For those planning to walk, it’s about 2 km from the hotel, so wear comfortable shoes!)
Back in our room, the dogs each claimed a bed and promptly passed out after their adventure-filled evening. We poured a glass of wine, unwrapped a slab of chocolate, and settled in for a movie night. Bliss.
Coffee, Beaches & Canine Joy
The next morning, we woke to a golden Cape Town day — though with the blackout curtains, we had no idea how late it was! Knowing that the hotel’s High Tea started at 2 p.m., we decided on a lazy morning and a late breakfast.
Our pre-breakfast walk led us to a crowd gathered around a bright pink coffee cart called The Pink Dahlia. Despite already having had a cup earlier, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee was too tempting to resist. (As a certified coffee snob, let me tell you — this was exceptional.)
The friendly barista even sold poop bags for R5 each. And while I always have a stash on hand, you can truly never have too many — so we grabbed a couple before continuing down the promenade, coffees in hand and tails wagging beside us.
What struck us most was just how many of the small beaches along Sea Point are dog-friendly. Cobalt and Stormy raced through the sand, splashing at the water’s edge while we sipped our coffee and soaked up the morning sunshine.
Breakfast Fit for Foodies (and Furry Friends)
Back at the hotel, we went straight to breakfast. We were seated in a quiet corner, and much to our delight, the waitress arrived with a cushion for each dog, a large bowl of water, and their very own doggy breakfast menu.
I decided not to order for them — they’d already had their usual meal, and with high tea coming later, I didn’t want any upset tummies. Stormy and Cobalt curled up contentedly while Michael went to explore the buffet. He was gone so long I thought he might’ve gotten lost — only to discover he was paralysed by choice. “It’s all too good!” he said, returning with a plate stacked high.
When it was my turn, I understood immediately. The breakfast spread was phenomenal — everything from fresh fruit and pastries to hot dishes that made it impossible to choose.
Forest Runs & Promenade Walks
After such a feast, I needed to earn my high tea. I called a running friend, and we agreed to meet at Newlands Forest for a quick two-hour run with Cobalt and her dog, Scout. Meanwhile, Michael and Stormy opted for a leisurely promenade walk, with plans to reunite at the hotel around 1 p.m.
Cobalt loved every second of the forest trails — sniffing, running, exploring — and back at the hotel, both of us enjoyed a well-deserved power nap before our next outing.
High Tea With a Twist
Refreshed and ready, we dressed for the afternoon’s High Tea. Stormy donned her red tutu, while Cobalt looked dashing in his gentleman’s top hat. We were greeted and checked off the guest list, then led to our poolside table — complete with cushions and water bowls for the dogs.
As we sipped our iced tea, we watched other guests and their dogs arrive, each pup proudly dressed for the occasion. When the treats arrived, I served Stormy and Cobalt their portions one bowl at a time — until Cobalt began eating his bowl. I leapt up in horror, convinced we’d just ruined hotel property, only for the waitress to laugh and assure me the bowls were edible.
Stormy, of course, ate like a lady, delicately enjoying her treats without incident.
The high tea selection was exquisite — delicate pastries, savoury bites, and enough sweetness to make you forget lunch entirely. Judging by the wagging tails and eager snouts, the dogs’ version was just as impressive.
Doggy Arts & Crafts
Just as we were finishing up, the front-of-house manager stopped by to tell us about the doggy arts and crafts station inside. Michael and I exchanged glances — surely this was a joke?
It wasn’t. Inside, we found a whimsical setup with small tables, paw-friendly paints, little canvases, and water bowls for cleanup. Cobalt and I dove right in, and before long, we had our very own masterpiece. Move over, Pigcasso — Cobaltcasso is in town!
Full bellies and happy hearts, we strolled back to our room for a well-earned afternoon nap. As we sank into bed, I couldn’t help but think how lucky we were to not be driving home that day.
Late-Night Cravings & Cozy Corners
Michael spent the afternoon watching the food go out to other tables — burgers, pizzas, and platters that made him wish for a second stomach. So when we woke from our nap, his first words were, “I’ve got the munchies.”
We decided to stay in and head down to the hotel restaurant instead of venturing into town. We still had a little of the complimentary wine left from our welcome pack, so we brought that along with us — and of course, the dogs came too. (Hotel policy kindly requests that dogs aren’t left alone in rooms; for those wanting to go out, they even provide a list of trusted local pet sitters.)
Our furry companions were too tired — and too spoiled — to eat, so they skipped dinner while we enjoyed a quiet meal in the same cozy corner we’d had at breakfast. Everything on the menu looked as good as it had that afternoon when Michael was eyeing other tables. We each settled on a small plate — the perfect end to another indulgent day.
Sunrise Runs & Cheesy Omelettes
You can’t spend a weekend in Sea Point without doing a promenade run, so Cobalt and I set our alarms to catch the sunrise. The morning couldn’t have been more perfect — calm, clear, and golden. We ran for an hour, just enough to feel refreshed before Cobalt’s training session later that morning.
As promised, the dogs got to order off the doggy breakfast menu for their final morning treat — both chose the cheesy omelette, which they devoured with enthusiasm. They’ve been looking at their regular kibble with quiet judgment ever since.
A Farewell to Paradise
From the warm welcome to the thoughtful pet touches, the President Hotel knows how to make both humans and hounds feel like VIPs. Every detail — from the iced tea on arrival to the doggy high tea and edible bowls — was handled with care and charm.
As we packed up to leave, Stormy and Cobalt gave their best “Do we really have to go?” faces. And honestly, I couldn’t blame them.
The President Hotel isn’t just pet-friendly — it’s pet celebratory. We’ll most certainly be back.
