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Where to stay in Cape Town?
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Having lived in Cape Town for almost 15 years now has given me a good idea of all the best hotels in Cape Town. When writing about hotels in Cape Town South Africa there’s a wide ranges of accommodation types to write about. The offering varies from 5 star hotels in Cape Town to lovely backpackers Cape Town and everything in between. Furthermore you will also need to consider where to stay in Cape Town, which area. I would say that the most popular areas for Cape Town tourists are: V&A Waterfront, Camps Bay and the city centre which we call the City Bowl District.
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The best luxury hotels in Cape Town
There’s plenty of choice for luxury 5 star hotels in Cape Town. Around the V&A Waterfront you will find The Table Bay Hotel, The Cape Grace and the One&Only Hotel. Those Cape Town Waterfront Hotels are all in walking distance of everything the V&A has to offer like shopping, boat rides, Robben Island, restaurants, cycling tours and much much more.
The absolute most luxurious hotel in Cape Town is the Ellerman House which houses the biggest private art collection in South Africa. It is an absolute treat to experience this hotel which we were lucky enough to once have a wonderful art evening accompanied by dinner. Ellerman House is absolute unsurpassed top class.
The newly opened (september 2017) The Silo Hotel is making headwaves in becoming the most sought after luxury hotel in Cape Town. The suites are exquisite with breathtaking views and the bar area has become popular with both local and international guests. The hotel is situated next to the amazing Zeitz Mocaa Museum which is definitely worth a visit.
Camps Bay is a beautiful seaside village just 10 minutes from Cape Town. Our favorite luxury hotel in Camps Bay would be the Camps Bay Retreat, which is situated in a small nature reserve just steps away from the hustle and bustle of the busy seaside village. The Camps Bay retreat offers each Wednesday and Saturday a traditional South African ‘braai’ night and we also highly recommend their delicious picnic on the lawn. This hotel is perfect for those who want peace and quiet but at the same time not too far from all the action.
A bit further on the coastal route to Hout Bay you will find the 12Apostles Hotel. This hotel is very popular for watching the sunset, their Leopard Bar and in season even watching whales. It is a favorite wedding location for international couples because the scenery is absolutely breathtaking. The 12Apostles Hotel has a private cinema and an amazing Spa. We still have to try the high tea.
The best boutique hotels Cape Town
Suitable accommodation in Cape Town can be found for each and everyone. Boutique Hotels are definitely on the rise in Cape Town and a favorite choice by many travelers. The South African sense for hospitality is one of a kind. It can be best experienced in smaller establishments like boutique hotels in South African and often are the best places to stay in Cape Town. Here’s a heads up for our favorite boutique hotels in Cape Town. Cloud 9 Hotel & Spa should definitely be on your list if you enjoy contemporary art, state-of-the-art rooms and pizza on the rooftop deck with 360° views of Table Mountain and the city. The hotel is situated very centrally between the city centre, Table Mountain and easy access to Camps Bay and the V&A Waterfront.
In Seapoint on the Atlantic Seaboard we can highly recommend The Glen Hotel & and Spa. Beautiful establishment with a wonderful pool and delicious meals are served for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Recently I discovered Ocean View House in Camps Bay, another great boutique hotel in Cape Town. What a lovely place! I had never visited (always drove past on my way to Hout Bay) until a friend invited me there to go for lunch. I was so glad she did. The rooms are spacious, the pool is sparking and most rooms have a beautiful ocean view. It is situated away from the busy Camps Bay restaurant strip and your closest beach would be Bakoven beach which is a beautifully secluded (and often protected from the wind, unlike Camps Bay Beach) beach. The staff was very friendly and helpful. Lunches can be enjoyed by the pool in case you don’t want to go out for the day.
Slightly too big to be a boutique hotel, nevertheless I would like to mention The Winchester Mansion Hotel for its excellent location, great terrace and vibrant bar. It is situated at the Seapoint Promenade and especially guests from Europe will enjoy to go for a walk before breakfast or at the end of a busy sightseeing day.
The Best Resort Hotels in Cape Town
The most luxurious resorts in Cape Town is definitely The One&Only Hotel in the V&A Waterfront. With the pool villas situated on an island just like the spa, you really don’t feel that you’re in the middle of the city. It is magnificent! This resort hotel in Cape Town has an AMAZING kids club and all the rooms are suites that are perfect for families. They do wonderful things with the kids, like cooking with the chef, outing to the 2Oceans Aquarium. The hotel supports the Lalela Art project. This organization offers art and entrepreneurial skills for learners. The One&Only Hotels boasts an art gallery of art made by the children. I love this aspect about this hotel. When you enter the hotel, you feel like entering a different world.
My 2nd choice for a luxurious resort hotel would be the Radisson Blu Waterfront situated at an amazing location in Granger Bay with an infinity pool to die for. The hotels boasts the most beautiful terrace by the sea side in Cape Town which is frequented by local as well as international guests. This hotel is in walking distance of the V&A Waterfront and the Seapoint Promenade for a lovely walk by the sea is right at your doorstep. I’ve heard that the spa is pretty amazing.
Another resort hotel in Cape Town that I would like to recommend is The President Hotel. The hotel has recently (2016-17) been renovated and they’ve done a remarkable job at it and actually they’re continuously improving their standards. The pool area must be one of the most pleasant ones in Cape Town with sea views, all day all fresco dining, absolutely lovely staff and there always seem to be enough chairs and towels. I love taking my daughter here to swim.. (pssst…). I hope the hotel will be able to attract more individual travelers who can truly enjoy this outstanding hotel in Cape Town.
In Camps Bay you can book The Bay Hotel Cape Town to experience a resort hotel. The Hotel is in the middle of the Camps Bay Restaurant strip so you are smack bam in the middle of where all the action is. 2 different pools with loungers overlooking the busy beach while you order your cocktails in style. Nothing wrong with that, me thinks.
The more budget friendly sister hotel of the Bay Hotel is the Camps Bay Resort which is popular with families with small children. It is a 3 star establishment at the end of the Camps Bay restaurant strip. Across the road you will find a playground for kids as well as the most beautiful tidal pool. It is a perfect location if you don’t want to use a car and want to go for morning walks by the sea with your little ones. By the rocks there are lovely rock pools, safe from the high waves and strong current so rather go there if you travel with small children.
The newest kid on the block is The Ritz Hotel in Seapoint. It JUST opened (December 2017) and we already had a sneak peak in when the pool wasn’t ready yet to use but I’m definitely looking forward to enjoying long lunches in their stunning Cabanas. The hotel has undergone a complete make-over and it feels as if you walk into a resort hotel in Miami, glitz, Ritz and Glamour!! We loved the golden palm tree in the lobby.
The best guesthouses in Cape Town
Beautiful Guesthouses can be found all over Cape Town and for those budget conscious travelers there are very nice options. Guesthouses don’t have a restaurant in most cases. They would only serve breakfast.
My first go to place is Welgelegen guesthouse in a quiet cul-de-sac in Gardens. It is located just off buzzing Kloof Street where you can find fantastic restaurants like Black Sheep, Chalk & Board and many more. Welgelegen offers quiet accommodation in a beautiful Victorian house. It is owner run which gives you that extra special touch of hospitality that you might be looking for.
In Greenpoint we can highly recommend Antrim House with very good rates and lovely rooms. You would need a car or Uber at night to get to restaurants which are a 5 minute drive away.
The best hostels in Cape Town
Cape Town is good news for the very budget conscious traveler because there’s a LOT of fantastic cheap accommodation available. Cheap accommodation in Cape Town doesn’t mean dirty and dodgy. There are some top class hostels with state-of-the-art technology and you might just not want to leave!
91 Loop Boutique Hostel is situated in the middle of the city center and offers very smart pod and unique pod experiences, not your usual dormitory. A pod is a room within in a room with your own reading light, curtain, power socket and lockable storage space. It really is AWESOME! This hostel is best located if you’re a city dweller and want to enjoy all the amazing events in the city like First Thursday, Tuning the Vine and club nights out.
Cape Town’s longest standing hostel is The Backpack which is run and owned and run by the lovely Lee Harris. The Backpack is involved in many community projects to uplift society and the whole place just oozes with love, care and a homely atmosphere for both staff and guests. The location is superb!
In Greenpoint we like to recommend Never&Home Hostel. It is also very clean, well run and in walking distance of the Cape Town Stadium and the V&A Waterfront. So if you’re in town for a concert, we recommend you book this hostel. By the way, most hostels in Cape Town also offer private rooms with bathrooms so if you prefer to have your privacy while staying in a friendly and vibrant hostel, this might be your thing.
The best airport hotel in Cape Town
When writing about hotels in Cape Town, Hotel Verde at the airport definitely needs a separate mention. What an amazing place! It is voted the greenest hotel in Africa. We stayed here for a night before an early departure and we had an absolute blast. At reception you are welcomed by vertical gardens, local art work and for the kids there’s a music corner, book exchange and a play corner. The pool, yes there’s a pool, is kept clean by surrounding plants. There are little bicycles for the kids. The breakfast offers anything you can imagine. We made our own smoothies. For engineers it is worth your while to ask for a tour of the hotel in which all the amazing systems are explained that keep the hotel operational in the most earth friendly way. For the business traveler, the hotel also offers beautiful meeting rooms. Airport hotels don’t need to dull and boring and the Hotel Verde at Cape Town International Airport proves that.
I hope this overview gives you a good idea of what to expect from accommodation in Cape Town. I’m very sure that you will find something suitable and I’m 100% sure that you will enjoy your stay in this fabulous city.
