My Date Hit A Jackpot At The New Salon Privé At Grand West
When Sun International extends an invitation to a R30-million revelation, you don’t just put on your best dress; you secure a date handsome enough to serve as a dazzling accessory. GrandWest Casino, a central hub of the Mother City’s entertainment scene, has just unveiled the magnificent transformation of the Grand Hotel’s Salon Privé, lounge, and dining area. The glamour bar of casino entertainment has been raised so high, you simply must arrive with a dashing date, impeccably dressed for success, just to clear the door.
The masterminds at David Muirhead & Associates didn’t just renovate; they performed a grand-scale alchemy. The former Union Castle dining room—a reverent nod to Cape Town’s seafaring legacy—now features rich, navy-panelled walls, contrasted by a daring geometric carpet in gold and blue. It’s an environment that encourages sophisticated discourse, perhaps over a vintage port, about anything from global economics to, well, the sheer audacity of good design.
My favourite touch? The unapologetic commitment to luxury, interwoven with unexpected delights. The Salon Privé lounge is decked out in lush couches, some boasting bold jungle prints that hint at untamed elegance. For those with a discerning eye (and a fetish for felines), a regal Leopard statue now graces the space, perched majestically as an fine piece of cat art on the fireplace mantel in one of the lounge areas.
Leopards in the wild are so incredibly rare that only a lucky few ever get to witness their beauty. A fitting parallel to the elusive luck one chases at the gaming tables, in my beginner’s lucky opinion. This regal symbol of power is a fitting echo of the Mother City’s wild side. If your heart holds a place for Cape Town’s iconic leopard tributes and fine feline art, you’ll want to read about the famous Last Leopard of Hout Bay.
Forget studying the odds; the real gamble is choosing your drink. The bar staff are crafting liquid luck—from silky Espresso Martinis to bold, sophisticated classics. To ensure your cocktail strategy is sound, bookmark these winning drinks to order when gambling at casinos.
For the high-rollers seeking ultimate discretion, the private gaming rooms are spectacular—the Chinese-themed sanctuary boasts a dramatic, custom-made dragon chandelier. This is where fortunes are made or, at the very least, where one feels utterly divine while attempting to make them.
The Charm, the Chips, and the R500 Miracle
The official itinerary included a very sensible ‘Learn-to-Play’ session. GrandWest, ever the advocate for responsible indulgence, aimed to educate us on the finer points of Blackjack and the mathematical dance of Poker. I, ever the diligent correspondent, absorbed every detail about the 1790s Parisian origins of Roulette, preparing to dissect the odds with journalistic precision.
And then there was my date: my male Bestie. He’s one of those infuriatingly magnetic individuals whose presence lights up a room. With his effortless style, easy smile, and an undeniable aura of cool confidence, he could make even a losing hand feel like a victory. He was, to put it mildly, disarmingly handsome, a charismatic counterpoint to the Salon Privé’s newly minted sophistication.
But when it came to the tables, his strategy was less “calculated probability” and more “let’s sprinkle some magic.” Armed with the few, generous non-cashable chips we received, my charming date gave the Roulette table a casual, yet entirely captivating shrug. With a flash of his perfectly tailored sleeve, he tossed a chip down. Not on a calculated corner. Not on a strategic colour. Just… over there.
The wheel spun. The ball settled. Just like that, HE WON 500 RANDJIES!
Five hundred randjies and zero cents! From a non-cashable thank-you chip! We’ll take it!
While I left with a head full of European Roulette trivia and fascinating design notes, my dashing date, the carefree, charming beginner, walked away with enough cash for a very fancy bottle of something celebratory. It seems his charm extends beyond mere aesthetics, coaxing luck itself to his side.
The takeaway is clear: If you want to leave with a cash win, maybe just bring along a date whose good looks, irresistible charm, and outrageous beginner’s luck are truly in a league of their own.
