There is no shortage of incredible high tea experiences in and around Cape Town, but have you heard of a luxury tea and fragrance pairing? Until now, you wouldn’t have, because there hasn’t been anything of the sort available. However, that changed recently with the launch of Labotessa Luxury Boutique Hotel’s unique Diptyque Tea Experience.
Situated in a quiet corner of Cape Town’s historic Church Square, this 7-suite luxury hotel offers gorgeous European-style décor, a delectable Café & Terrace (which uses seasonally inspired produce to create delicious meals), and—the only of its kind in SA—a Diptyque in-house fragrance boutique.
The Diptyque Boutique offers guests—and the public—an immersive introduction to the world of this iconic French fragrance house. Founded in 1961, Diptyque is celebrated worldwide for its exceptional craftsmanship and innovative approach to fragrance. Today, it is one of the world’s most luxurious and aspirational fragrance houses.
Every Diptyque fragrance tells a story, and the brand is known for its unique scents and unwavering attention to detail. Perhaps best known for its coveted candles, Diptyque also boasts an extensive range of genderless fragrances and home fragrances.
Diptyque was the perfect fit for Labotessa, who shares a commitment to excellence and a luxury experience for all who enter their doors. Labotessa guests enjoy Diptyque amenities in their bedrooms and bathrooms, so it made complete sense for this to become the home of the first-ever standalone Diptyque store in South Africa.
The Diptyque Tea Experience is a must for all fragrance enthusiasts. A one-of-a-kind sensory journey, it allows guests to pair some of the brand’s signature fragrances with delectable bites and fine teas, each one inspired by Diptyque’s diverse scent profiles. The journey starts in the boutique, where you are welcomed with a glass of Cap Classique, followed by a brief tour. The experience continues at the Labotessa Café & Terrace, where the delicious teas and bites are served.
Our editor was recently treated to the experience and had this to say:
“I’ve been to my fair share of high tea experiences, but this was unlike anything else available in Cape Town. The Diptyque Tea Experience is every fragrance lover’s dream. If you know and love the brand, you’ll be right at home, but if you’re not familiar yet, you’re in for a treat.
Upon entering the boutique, I received a warm welcome from the team and was treated to a delicious glass of Cap Classique. The general manager gave us a brief yet fascinating insight into the brand and showed us some of the most notable items they had available. I learnt that they stock 18 different fragrances and have a selection of soaps, lotions, candles, and home scents on offer.
We were led to the Labotessa Café & Terrace shortly thereafter to begin our tasting. Guests have the opportunity to sit in the European-style outdoor piazza, but because the weather wasn’t playing along, we took had tea in the upstairs indoor section of the café. I wasn’t too disappointed, though, as the décor was breathtaking, and I couldn’t stop looking at all the incredible artwork, trinkets, lamps and decor pieces around me.
A knowledgeable team member took us through the signature Diptyque fragrances that inspired the tea pairing, and we had the opportunity to test them on ourselves. We then chose our flavour of tea (based on the fragrance notes we loved the most), and it was served alongside a variety of mouth-watering bites, including macarons, a trio of sandwiches, scones and more. Each bite is inspired by a Diptyque fragrance or fragrance profile, and we happily tested the various scents in between bites.
The experience concluded with a lovely gift bag that contained a Diptyque mini lotion, shower gel, and soaps.
All in all, the experience was nothing short of beautifully indulgent and luxurious. The attention to detail was evident from beginning to end, and the staff took so much time and care to make the morning special for each guest in attendance. I left Labotessa with a new appreciation for Diptyque and a hunger to go back for one of the café’s breakfasts, lunches, or evening drinks.
Their café and terrace is open to the public for meals from 8:00 to 16:00, and in the evenings, you can pay them a visit for a delicious sharing platter and drinks of your choice. Plus, the Diptyque Boutique is open daily until 20:00!
Labotessa is truly stunning, and you feel like you’ve stepped into a beautiful European city as soon as you arrive. The colours, décor, artwork, and elegance make for the most luxe experience. I highly recommend paying the hotel a visit—and better yet, go and enjoy the Diptyque Tea Experience with your girlfriends, mom, or sister. You won’t be disappointed.”
Anien – Editor
The Diptyque Tea Experience is priced at R650 per guest and includes the boutique tour, a glass of bubbly, the tea and bites pairing, and a luxurious Diptyque gift bag valued at R1000. It is available at 11h00 and 14h00 daily and must be booked 24 hours in advance. Book your experience now.
2 comments
Jackie Revell
To book for tea and tour, do you have to stay at the property.
Anien
Hi Jackie, no you don’t have to be a hotel guest. The tea and Diptyque experience is open to the public.