The Metropole, which has seen stylistic changes through the decades, has adopted a plush new contemporary interior. The Metropole also features a new restaurant, Veranda and an upmarket bar, the M-Bar & Lounge.
Owners JensMerbl and Steve van der Merwe bring with them a visionary passion and enthusiasm that has rejuvenated the Metropole. Well-known interior designer, Francois du Plessis, undertook the restyling and interior renovation of the hotel, to make the Metropole both luxurious and exclusive.

It is a 90-seater, with an interior that utilises clean lines, juxtaposed with contrasting colours, silver leaf walls, white canvas high-backed dining chairs, African mahogany dining tables, heavy cutlery and quality glassware.Great views an urban edginess and a big dose of romance.

Best night: Friday nights are best for the social scene, with Saturdays coming in a close second. Week night are tamer and cater mostly for an intimate drink before a meal at the Veranda restaurant.

Best seat in the house: The richly hued poppy-red lounge area offers intimate relaxation corners and features red ostrich leather chairs, subtle sophisticated upbeat (background) music and a Versace fabric covered sofa. The reddish illumination and stylish oozes a sexy decadent atmosphere without pretence.

• On arrival: Freshly brewed coffee, Tea selection, Juice
• Mid morning: break freshly brewed coffee, Tea selection, Juice, Pastry selection
• Lunch: Choice of Starter, Choice of Main Courses, Choise of Dessert
• Mid afternoon: break Freshly brewed coffee, Tea selection, Juice & cookies

(Maximum 18 delegates)

• Conference packages can be tailor made to your requirements
• Included in conference package: Venue hire if more than 10 delegates, Stationary, still or sparkling water and mints on tables
• Not included in conference package: Venue hire if less than 10 delegates, Conference equipment.

Technological features include special universal electricity outlets, internet modem portholes for laptops, satellite enabled television, and individual remote-controlled power air-conditioning.

Most rooms feature a Juliet balcony, ideal for abserving bustling Long Street.
Rooms are large and corridors are wide, which are unchanged from the original hotel floor plans.

The ethos behind the Design Hotels phenomenon is to mediate privately owned, design-orientated hotels with newest generation of cosmopolitan travelers. For 2005, the Design Hotels group will feature 137 hotels from 41 different countries. Design Hotels has its headquarters in Berlin with branches in London, Milan, Barcelona, New York, Bali and Tokyo.[The Metropole is the only hotel from Cape Town to be incorporated into Design Hotels!!!]

According to the mission statement of the initiative, "a Design Hotel" is one, which is driven by visionary proprietors to offer their guests an authentic experience through contemporary interpretations of luxury while retaining the essence of the local environment."