Hotel Review: Protea Hotel Fire & Ice! Cape Town

Overview of Protea Fire & Ice! Cape Town

When it comes to fire and ice, Cape Town probably isn’t the first destination that pops into your mind. However, this intense motif makes perfect sense for this trendy, modern hotspot located in Cape Town’s central Tamboerskloof district.

Featuring colorful rooms and suites, this hotel is ideal for solo travelers as well as groups of friends or family wanting to explore some of Cape Town’s buzziest neighborhoods together. The on-site dining, spa, pool and ballroom make it a great option for work-away trips or events, with plenty of opportunities to relax and enjoy in between responsibilities.

If you’re looking for a relaxing oasis in the middle of exciting Cape Town, then Protea Fire & Ice! Cape Town is just the spot for you.

How I Booked Protea Fire & Ice Cape Town

I have a friend who works with Marriott, so I have access to Marriott’s Friends and Family rate. I was able to book a week-long stay at the Protea Fire & Ice for about $466.

Even during peak season, the hotel is almost always under 20,000 Marriott points per night, or around $115. This makes it possible to use the Marriott free night certificates from the credit cards mentioned below, but it also means that certificates and/or points provide a rather low value—it may make more sense to spend cash. Always do the math for your personal stay to see what yields the most value.

It’s also possible to book this hotel with Marriott points, which can be earned through the following credit cards:

• Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card
• Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card
• Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card
• Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card
• Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Credit Card
• Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card
• Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card

Protea Fire & Ice Cape Town Location

Protea Fire & Ice is just a 20-minute drive away from Cape Town International Airport, and it’s especially simple in Cape Town to order an Uber or Bolt if you don’t have a car to use.

The property is conveniently located near both Long Street and Bree Street—two exciting arteries that run through Cape Town’s central business district (CBD). There is something for everyone right around the corner, whether you’d like to enjoy a delectable pizza at I Love the Dough or shop for vibrant clothing at Merchants on Long.

As far as Cape Town locations go, this is a pretty good one. Not only does this property place guests right along major hubs for nightlife and shopping, but you’re also never too far from the stunning Table Mountain National Park. Whether you’re looking to explore the concrete jungle or the trails leading to Cape Town’s favorite summits, Protea Fire & Ice is the perfect hub.

Best Parts of Protea Fire & Ice Cape Town

As mentioned before, the location of this property is truly ideal, especially for folks who have never visited Cape Town before. I enjoyed having the city at my fingertips and wild natural areas just a short drive away. That combination makes Protea Fire & Ice a great home base for your Cape Town adventures.

Besides its location, I also enjoyed the overall vibe of the hotel. It’s somehow simultaneously no-frills and indulgent, offering minimalist yet colorful decor as well as relaxing spa treatments and a small pool with a view.

There is plenty of space to hang out both in and out of the rooms, and having a chill place to recover is crucial for any Cape Town trip. You’ll probably notice that this hotel is a hub for locals and travelers alike. With plenty of live shows on the weekends, Protea Fire & Ice is always entertaining. The staff members are also incredibly helpful and friendly, which is a huge plus.

Protea Fire & Ice Cape Town Drawbacks

While the hotel has everything you’d need for a comfortable and pleasant stay in Cape Town, its offerings are pretty basic. For travelers looking for a luxury experience, over-the-top themed decor, multiple dining options or a full high-end spa weekend, then I suggest looking for a hotel that advertises those features. Protea Fire & Ice is really for travelers who aim for comfort, convenience, entertainment and good vibes.

Getting to Protea Fire & Ice

I chose to call an Uber from Cape Town International Airport because the cars are always available; prices are reasonable enough; and the service is reliable. Just make sure to keep a tight hold on all of your belongings at all times. Even from inside the car, it’s not uncommon for thieves to reach through the window and snag your phone!

Check-In

Check-in was a breeze at Protea Fire & Ice. I was immediately greeted with a smiling face and lots of helpful tips for my stay. My room was ready in time, so there were no problems there.

My first impression of the hotel was especially positive because after a long flight, all I really wanted was to have a quiet moment to decompress. But after meeting the receptionist and getting oriented to the property, I felt a sudden burst of energy and a renewed excitement for exploring more of Cape Town.

Protea Fire & Ice Cape Town belongs to the Marriott chain, so my Bonvoy Titanium Elite status came in handy. Unfortunately, an upgrade wasn’t available, but I did score breakfast at the property each morning of my stay for no additional cost and a voucher for a drink.

When it was time to leave, I also requested 2 p.m. late checkout as I was just heading across town to check out another Marriott property in Cape Town—the Marriott Waterfront Breakwater Lodge. I didn’t want to have to wait around there for check-in time and was pleased that I was granted my late checkout request.

The Room at Protea Fire & Ice Cape Town

I stayed in the Larger Guest Room with a king bed and a stunning view of Table Mountain. It’s a pretty standard 237-square-foot (22-square-meter) room with enough space for a comfortable stay. I wasn’t going to have room for a fully-fledged exercise routine, but that’s what the fitness center is for anyway.

I liked the room immediately because of its brightness. With plenty of natural light and pops of color, this room could lift the mood of any weary traveler. The decor is simple and trendy, and the small workspace features a cable TV and a Table Mountain view that threatened to distract me from actually getting any work done! On that subject, Wi-Fi is complimentary, but a high-speed connection is available for a fee.

The room was comfortably air-conditioned and included complimentary tea and bottled water, which is important for hot Cape Town days. I didn’t have any trouble with noise during my stay even with the close proximity to busy streets, and the bed was plenty comfortable.

The bathroom features both natural and electric light, and it has a toilet and stand-up shower. The counter is narrow but had adequate space for my toiletries, plus extra shelves underneath if I really wanted to spread things out. I had no issues with water pressure or temperature, and the bathroom comes with a hair dryer which was a plus for me.

All in all, the room met my expectations exactly. It was comfortable, inviting and good for getting some work done, if I wasn’t too preoccupied by the perfect view that is.

Food and Drink

Protea Fire & Ice has one on-site restaurant called, quite simply, Restaurant at Fire & Ice Cape Town. Open from 6:30 a.m. until 10 p.m., this restaurant serves a basic breakfast in the morning and then transforms into a gourmet burger joint for the rest of the day. The restaurant also offers a buffet and a variety of other South African dishes, so don’t worry if you aren’t much of a burger person because you’ll be able to find plenty of alternatives.

Guests with Platinum Elite status or higher can select complimentary breakfast as their welcome amenity.

The restaurant’s milkshake selection alone is reason enough to check it out. With a variety of flavors and toppings, you can be as creative as you like. Protea Fire & Ice is famous for their milkshakes, so it would be a shame to miss out on trying as many as possible.

Up at the bar, you can expect a selection of quirky cocktails and beers, plus a live DJ on Fridays and Saturdays. This restaurant is a favorite hotspot for folks looking to chill out and enjoy some live music, whether or not they’re hotel guests.

Amenities

As I mentioned, this hotel features one on-site restaurant that caters most to the burger-and-shake crowd, which I always enjoy. There’s a fitness center and a small outdoor pool, plus a spa that offers typical spa and beauty treatments like body wraps, massages, manicures and more. For travelers coming to Cape Town for an event, the hotel’s event space can hold up to 200 guests and includes five break-out rooms and five event rooms.

Service

Service is where Protea Fire & Ice really shines. This is the type of hotel where it’s easy to feel at home, and you can expect to be treated with warmth and care by folks who exemplify the spirit of ubuntu.

Protea Fire & Ice is not only a hotel, but it plays host to a wide variety of events, so the staff is used to having plenty of folks to keep entertained and they’re very, very good at it. This is great especially for solo travelers looking for a friendly face to recognize throughout their stay. It’s important to be able to feel home away from home, and the service at Protea Fire & Ice guarantees that you will.

Protea Fire & Ice Family Friendliness

Protea Fire & Ice is family-friendly in that it offers reasonably priced suites with plenty of space for the whole gang. While the property caters more to young adults, it’s certainly accessible for all ages. It doesn’t have dedicated spaces or activities for children, but the hotel staff would always be happy to recommend and arrange family-friendly activities in the area. For example, their website advertises a mini golf course less than 3 miles away, and an indoor trampoline park within 9 miles from the property.

Final Thoughts on Protea Fire & Ice Cape Town

Whether you’re a first time visitor or a regular in Cape Town, Protea Fire & Ice provides everything you’ll need for a comfortable and invigorating stay. If you’re looking for convenient proximity to buzzing nightlife, dining and shopping, and you value comfort and community over luxury, then I recommend making Protea Fire & Ice your Cape Town home base.