What prompted the choice of this location for the first Taj property in the region?
That’s an interesting story. The foundation of this hotel is actually made up of two old bank buildings, which had been vacant since 1999. Eurocape, our joint venture partners, acquired this heritage property in 2001. Over three hundred years ago, this locality was where the city of Cape Town was founded. So, historically, it is the most significant part of the city’s past and it seemed the most appropriate location, with the right historical buildings, for a Taj luxury hotel.

What brought Eurocape and Tata Africa together?
Eurocape was looking for a partner who was well versed with the operating of luxury properties and who would be sympathetic to the historical background of the property. With its 100-year-old history and the numerous heritage buildings that many of its hotels are housed in, Taj hotels was the perfect match.

Eurocape, Tata Africa and Taj hotels have set up a joint venture, with Eurocape owning 50 per cent and Tata Africa and Taj owning 25 per cent each. We have a board with four representatives, one each from Taj and Tata Africa and two from Eurocape.

How are you positioning this hotel, as a business hotel or as a luxury hotel?
Luxury, for the simple reason that Cape Town isn’t a business destination like Johannesburg. Business travellers do come to Cape Town, but it is a leisure destination first and foremost. We are a luxury city hotel that appeals to companies, for sure, because we are in a city area that has businesses and the government. But we are also a hotel that a leisure visitor would want to stay in because they can explore all the historical places, get a grand view of the Table Mountain right from their room, and stay in a nice and happy environment.

The property is a culmination of the beauty and history of Cape Town. We are telling people that Taj Cape Town represents the real spirit of the old city with Cape Town's cultural heart within steps of the hotel. We are confident that Taj Cape Town will become the grande dame of Cape Town.

How does Taj Cape Town capture the cultural heritage of the city?
The cultural landscape of Cape Town is made of multiple influences. From the Dutch East India Company, to the British, to the Boers — a potpourri of customs, arts and artistic legacies has given the city a cosmopolitan flavour. Our property will try and be true to this mixed heritage of Cape Town.

When did work on the project begin?
Around 2005–06. It took a year to get the final designs and architectural challenges sorted out. It was not easy to convert a bank into a hotel, as we were not allowed to touch or change the heritage facades or many of the internal spaces, including the columns in the lobby. Eventually, work began around the end of 2007. It took over two years for all the renovations, and the hotel was ready by the beginning of March this year.

What are some of the challenges of running this hotel?
The main challenge is to maintain the high standards of service expected from a Taj hotel — and to do it consistently. Whether it is Sunday night 10 o’clock or Tuesday at lunch time, we have to ensure the same high level of luxury service because that is what we will be measured on; that is what will make our guests come back to us time after time. We are also conscious about building awareness about the Tata brand and the legacy of excellence that Taj hotels is associated with.

How did you go about recruiting employees for the hotel?
We have about 280 people on our staff. In keeping with the local laws and the Tata group’s policy, we have recruited our key employees locally. We do have a small group of people with relevant Taj backgrounds and past experience to guide us through the entire process, but 95 per cent of our staff is local.

What’s your vision for Taj Cape Town?
I would like it to become a really important part of the Capetonian mindset. I want this to be the chosen spot for people to have tea, the place they go for their grandmother’s birthday, the place they recommend to a client or somebody coming from overseas. I think this is achievable in a two- to three-year period. In the same vein, I want to make this hotel be counted as more than a luxury property in Cape Town; I want it to be recognised as the best hotel in Africa one day.