Looking to combine a bit of business with pleasure the next time you're in the Cape? Instead of opting for a city centre hotel where you'll be lulled to sleep by the sounds of screeching traffic and wailing sirens, why not try somewhere that's a bit out of town, but with easy access to the city centre and the airport?

The NH Lord Charles Hotel in Somerset West, just 30 minutes from the CBD, manages to cater for the needs of both business and leisure travellers. With 188 standard rooms and 10 luxurious suites it's not the most intimate hotel on the outskirts of the winelands, but has a wide range of accommodation and facilities on offer, including two restaurants, a gymnasium, two swimming pools, tennis courts and world-class conference facilities.

Some of the rooms boast private terraces overlooking the nine hectares of manicured gardens, but all rooms offer either mountain vistas of the looming Helderberg or sea views over False Bay glistening in the distance. If the company is picking up the tab or you're taking a well-deserved holiday, then it's definitely worth treating yourself to a stay in one of the luxurious suites.

Each of the 10 suites has recently undergone a refurbishment where outdated furniture has been replaced with contemporary pieces — elegant Emboia tables and plush leather couches add warmth and depth to the suite — while luxurious feather duvets and fine linens ensure a good night's sleep. The artworks of Monique Famaey offer splashes of vibrant colour, whilst chintzy fabrics have made way for plain, elegant fabrics and mock-suedes in shades of cream, tan and sand.

Each suite also offers a spacious lounge area with modern leather couches to kick back and relax on. With a well-stocked mini-bar (snacks are thoughtfully provided for sundowners) and romantic views over the small lake and gazebo it's a great way to unwind after a day doing deals in the city or touring the area. For larger families, inter-leading suites are also available on request.

Although there are a number of excellent restaurants nearby, the hotel also offers excellent dining options. Make sure you have a pre-dinner drink in the comfortable Scottish-themed pub before heading over to the Garden Terrace or La Vigna. The Garden Terrace is the more casual option with a large buffet on offer each evening, but it's La Vigna that really shines in the fine dining stakes.

Offering everything from Hot Smoked Crocodile Tail to Pan-seared Kingklip Fillet covered in a Red Pepper Ragout the menu is a zesty mix of classic styles with a modern twist. Sleek furnishings and only a dozen or so tables ensure that the atmosphere remains contemporary and stylish, yet intimate. As with many top Cape restaurants, La Vigna’s a la carte menu offers a simple ‘no-frills’ pricing structure: for just R110 you get your choice of two courses from the menu, whilst the standard three-courses is R135 and the indulgent four-course menu a well-priced R145.

Although the hotel is a popular destination for conferences and business travellers, tourists will also enjoy its unique location close to the sea, city and wine regions. Located on the fringes of the famous Stellenbosch wine route the hotel is just a few minutes drive from some of South Africa's top wine estates, including Meerlust, Rust & Vrede and Vergelegen. For the more adventurous the region has much to offer, from whale watching and shark-cage diving to horse-riding and skydiving, while for city clickers wanting some urban excitement the vibrant city centre is just 30 minutes away by freeway.