Belmond and Thebe Magugu open a two-storey signature suite and adjoining cultural space at Mount Nelson
Belmond has always possessed an air of panache. Whether it’s the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express winding through Europe or the Hotel Cipriani overlooking the Venetian lagoon, the hospitality brand has a knack for offering experiences imbued with style, aesthetic clarity, and a true sense of place.
So when it came time to add a touch of pizzazz to a historic wing of Belmond’s 125-year-old Mount Nelson in Cape Town, it only seemed natural that Belmond would turn to Thebe Magugu, an eminent fashion designer from South Africa renowned for his beguiling blend of afro-modernism with high fashion.
Marking Magugu’s first permanent foray into the world of luxury hospitality, the project—comprising the two-storey Thebe Magugu Suite and the adjoining Magugu House Cape Town—extends his practice into the realm of spatial design, translating the research, narrative, and cultural inquiry that underpin his work into an artful cocoon for discerning travellers.
Now open for booking, the Magugu Suite—designed in collaboration with South African interior design firm StudioLandt—occupies a space along Mount Nelson’s Palm Avenue. Conceived as an Afro-modernist sanctuary, the suite is purposefully designed around a series of domestic rituals that include gathering, dining, retreat, and rest.
The lower level, for example, opens into a lounge, dining, and bar area that serve as an intimate space for gatherings and celebrations. Anchoring the space is a suite of artful and symbolic details that is intended to ground guests and help them feel connected to the land and its culture.
Brimming with elements such as a bespoke dining pendant inspired by the Basotho hat from Magugu’s lineage and handcrafted dining chairs shaped by the curves of traditional pottery, the space is imbued with cultural charm. Accentuating this effect further is a hand-sketched panoramic wallpaper that traces South African landscapes from the Midlands to the Cape.
These grounded details are paired with a striking palette of rich greens, deep indigos, and warm ochres, colours chosen to evoke both South Africa’s sun-drenched savannahs and the stately interiors associated with English country homes. Couple this with the suite’s terrazzo floors, stone and timber finishes, and walls adorned with contemporary African art, and you have an exquisite sanctuary that remains rooted in culture.
While the Magugu Suite offers a vivid expression of African artistry, those seeking a deeper exploration can find it at Magugu House Cape Town. Located adjacent to the suite, the space opens its doors to the public as a concept store and cultural hub dedicated to fashion, art, and creative exchange.
Functioning as both a gallery and a showroom, Magugu House brings together limited-edition fashion, archival garments, art, photography, books, and objects, presenting Magugu’s work alongside that of other contemporary African creatives. More than a conventional retail space, it has been conceived as a living platform for cultural dialogue, with exhibitions and programming set to evolve over time.
