The first thing that greets you as you step into 15 on Orange is the red carpet. No, it's not an actual carpet ? it's a row of sparkling red Caeserstone tiles which welcome you into this opulent hotel. The next thing that strikes you is how theatrical the architecture is ? rooms are lit up to look like light boxes on display as you enter the reception area.

And although there is so much to do in this part of Cape Town ? a stone's throw away from museums in the Company Gardens and restaurants in Long Street ? there are enough reasons to just check in and relax. This is exactly what Gavin and I had in mind to do the weekend we visited.

First on our agenda was a brief tour of the hotel. The Judges' Lounge operates around the clock and is named in honour of the legal fraternity. Judges who are not on duty are encouraged to take some time out and pore over the 700 law books in the lounge. Right alongside is the Murano Bar, perhaps one of the most eye-catching features of the first floor. Curtained by over 10 000 individual glass links imported from Murano, Italy, it boasts a 12-seater VIP lounge suspended above it.

Ever-curious, I asked to have a peek in one of the four 'pod suites'. These have two perspex bubble chairs in front, from which you can swing and check out the goings-on of the hotel's inner courtyard. Okay, perhaps you would feel a bit like a goldfish in a bowl staying in one of those rooms. I was quite relieved when we were shown to another suite on the side of the hotel facing Table Mountain.

Room 304 was a deluxe suite, and was probably the size of our modest two-bedroom flat. I was impressed with the attention to detail ? a rose and a box of truffles on the bed, decaf as well as filtered coffee, some edible treats for our one-year-old son as well as a bedtime book. But the cherry on top was a miniature white bathrobe for Samuel, hung against the bathroom mirror. How could we resist getting him to strike a pose in it for the camera after his bath?

I left Gavin nibbling a choc-chip cookie and sipping tea as I headed to the Yemaya Spa on the seventh floor. The aromatic scents and trippy music was enough to make me want to fall asleep, but therapist Sarah's bold strokes as she exfoliated my skin with rice fibre kept me awake.

Bathed, clothed and fed, baby was now ready for the babysitter. Lynn arrived and wasted no time befriending Samuel. We quickly got ready and left, relieved to have a little 'us' time at Savour Restaurant.

Here we were delighted to see such a comprehensive menu, offering everything from local fare like springbok and Karoo lamb to Italian delicacies like prosciutto as well as crab cakes and Scottish salmon. Little wonder that the executive chef, Mauritian-born Michael Meyepa, worked on The World luxury cruise liner for several years before joining the restaurant.

?Now for dessert,? I said, ?I want something plain and simple.?

?Like chocolate fondant,? Gavin quipped. In the end we settled for honey pannacotta (full marks) and a sorbet trilogy. And then, while Cape Town's night life buzzed nearby, we turned in for the night.

No doubt the appeal of a brand new hotel will draw other visitors as well. The receptionist informed us that the hotel is 100% booked for the World Cup, with most of the rooms going to foreign delegates. With the upcoming opening of a handful of exclusive boutiques downstairs, the hotel's offering will be further enhanced.

After checking out, we entered the lift with our luggage to access the car park. In it was a gold armchair which Ali G might have taken a fancy to. Some may find this a bit gaudy or over the top. I sunk down in it with Samuel. Not a bit, I thought. When you're lugging a 12kg baby around, this is one of life's little luxury's that you really do appreciate.

For more info on 15 on Orange, visit www.africanpridehotels.com or call 021 469 8000.