14 Best Hotels in Cape Town, South Africa

Enjoying a slightly unlikely location in the middle of a working section of the harbor, this grand and gracious hotel has a well-deserved reputation for excellence, especially after an extensive renovation in 2023. The look is now less fussy, more contemporary, and the rooms, which have all been brightened up, are an absolute knockout, with cosseting levels of comfort and ongoing efforts to streamline sustainability (you won't find any plastic). Fantastic, understated service means that you sometimes fail to notice how astute the pampering is, but you will experience it in the way you feel instantly at home, plus, the concierge will be able to make just about any imaginable request a reality: helicopters, boats, yachts, mountain guides, art tours, private dinners . . . anything can be arranged. And don't miss the pool, which feels like it's on a cruise ship; a huge screen live-streams activity on the harbor, and there can be a bit of a party atmosphere when it gets busy. Capetonians love to pop in for a drink at the classy Bascule Bar, or take tea in the Library Lounge, or indulge in the latest culinary offering at Heirloom.

Built around a verdant courtyard shaded by pomegranate, guava, and avocado trees, the five gorgeous rooms and two self-catering cottages at this centrally located and good-value hotel are all Gallic-charm-meets-South-African-vintage-hipster: think hand-embroidered bed linens, badminton paddles repurposed as mirrors, and art deco light fittings. A lovely lounge space that acts as reception, breakfast room in winter, and tango room on occasion (the owners are enthusiasts), is a warm and stylish place to meet fellow guests (as is the magical garden in summer). The cottages (two and three bedrooms respectively) come with full kitchens and private lounges and offer a touch more privacy and extra space for families or small groups. With dozens of restaurants and cafés within nearby walking distance, this is a super-convenient and welcoming oasis of style.

If you're looking for more independence from your accommodation, staying at this collection of well-appointed apartments (the sister establishment to the Cape Cadogan) is a bit like being part of a tucked-away village. Located in various historic homes (all given a contemporary make-over), the property has its own dedicated reception and lounge area, and daily servicing of your quarters. The spacious apartments (and 1 very snazzy 4-bedroom house with everything you could dream of including a chauffeur and butler) have Smeg appliances in full kitchens and private outdoor courtyards, and there's someone available 27/4 to assist you. 

An icon of Cape Town since it opened its doors in 1899, this sprawling landmark sits on 9 beautifully landscaped acres and retains a charm and gentility unusual even in the world of luxury hotels. Much of that has to do with the great sense of heritage, retained everywhere and underscored by the elegance of the gardens, the grandeur of the architecture, and the genuine personalities of the people who work here. Rooms in the grand, central building—decorated with a perfect mix of fine antiques and contemporary art, technological conveniences, fresh flowers—feel aristocratic but never stuffy, and, there are cottage-style quarters stashed away in semi-private gardens away from the main block. Though very centrally located and right next to bustling Kloof Street, the famous manicured gardens and spectacular views of Table Mountain lend a bucolic atmosphere. The traditional high tea experience—which takes place in the elegant lounge, glassed-in conservatory, and extends to the gardens in good weather—is one way for non-guests to spend time here. Additionally, there's an excellent spa, frequent events like wine or brandy tastings, art exhibits, and an annual week of fashion shows featuring African designers, not to mention the eternally popular Planet Bar, all of which might lure you inside for a taste of the high life for a few hours. Fabulous and discreet service go without saying.

Steenberg brims with genuine countryside charisma, its style a successful integration of contemporary sensuousness and well-preserved heritage personality. More than any of the hotels in nearby Constantia, here you get a sense of staying in the Winelands, surrounded by vineyards. You can explore the property either on foot or by golf cart with a staff member (mainly to get you to the bistro which is across the property), and they have a few mountain bikes you can borrow, too. Not only are there magnificent manicured gardens between the various historic buildings (including the original slave bell), but there are excellent mountain views as well. There's a large variety of accommodations, from fairly straightforward loftlike "Classic" rooms in the Barn, to heritage-style "Classic" rooms, huge suites, and villas where you want for nothing. A daily shuttle will transport you to the V&A Waterfront and back free of charge. This historic wine farm occupies a parcel of land that was, centuries ago, a popular halfway stopover for passengers and crew traveling between the Simon’s Town harbor and the enclave around Table Bay that would eventually evolve into the city of Cape Town.

The smell of wood polish, the creak of old floors, countless antiques, worn Persian rugs, dogs wandering at will, carved banisters, stained-glass windows, fireplaces, heavy chandeliers, old travel trunks, and gorgeous gardens . . . it all adds up to a scene that goes against the grain of Camps Bay's reputation for glitz and glam. In the original Manor House, rebuilt in the 1920s, history oozes everywhere. In its 4 upstairs suites, there's a real sense of Edwardian-era glamour, a chance to step back in time. There's access to a fabulous little spa with a few treatment tents so you can soak up the views while you're massaged. And although the main house is full of colonial-era quirks (and a few recently added design flaws, too), a short ramble across a bouncy swing bridge takes you to a collection of more-contemporary buildings, including The Deck, with 7 rooms, some of which have private hot tubs, and a number of villas that can be rented in their entirety if you're looking to accommodate a large family.

Located in a huge garden filled with indigenous succulents, ancient milkwood trees, and koi-filled water features, this good-value family-owned and -managed hotel enjoys gorgeous views of both the Atlantic Ocean and the Twelve Apostles mountain range, and is a hop, skip, and a jump from Bakoven's pair of gorgeous beaches. Rooms, suites, and apartments in an assortment of shapes, sizes, and styles are spread across the property along with various courtyards, pockets of garden, lounge areas, 2 pools, honesty bars, and a breakfast room. Accommodations all have a patio or balcony, and all are designed and decorated to look and feel bright, fresh, and contemporary—just right for a beach holiday. If you want to feel like you're in nature, the Garden Suite enjoys an entire piece of private garden by the small natural stream that runs through the property.

In the spirit of founding investor Sol Kerzner's "go big or go home" philosophy, the One&Only Cape Town is nothing if not a tribute to excess with its four-story glass window views onto Table Mountain, whether it's from the aptly named Vista Bar or the rooms in the high-rise main block. Rooms are larger than you'd find in most other hotels and are beautifully furnished with chic contemporary African design flourishes and embellishments. The island lends a faux-tropical resort feel, aided by a spectacular outdoor infinity pool, award-winning spa, and outpost of the Nobu restaurant chain. There's a fantastic children's club, excellent personalized service, and endless array of activities that can be arranged at short notice.

Across the street from Sea Point's popular pedestrian promenade, this friendly, resort-style hotel in an apartment-like 11-story building has awesome views and is great for families. Three-, two-, and one-bedroom suites come in a variety of layouts, but nearly all have awesome sea views, full kitchens, satellite TV, air-conditioning, and free Wi-Fi. The larger airy and light-filled "Super Luxury" suites are the most attractive, with picture windows, sliding doors, wide balconies, and white-tile floors. Even the entry "studio suites" have balconies, kitchenettes, and are decorated in a mix of muted gray and ocean blues, so you can't help but feel like you're on holiday.

Brilliantly melding working-harbor grit and sumptuous glamour, Cape Town’s hottest luxury hotel rises out of the old grain silo in the working harbor section of the Waterfront. Known in particular for its “pillowed” windows—56 panels of tempered glass in geometric iron frames—the hotel's grand rooms pop with gorgeous jewel-toned fabrics, edgy artwork, and dazzling chandeliers, pleasingly offset by the industrial feel lent by elements like exposed steel beams. From floors 8 to 10, those extraordinary windows frame gorgeous views of Table Mountain and the enfolding harbor, and there's a hip rooftop bar and pool area affording a breathtaking 360-degree vantage on one of the world’s most beautiful cities.

Located on the Cape's oldest—and still working—wine estate, this intimate and beautiful luxury hotel built mostly within renovated heritage structures is surrounded by manicured gardens, vineyards, a modern tasting room, two great restaurants, and a championship 18-hole golf course. Renovated to a luxurious, contemporary standard, the original barn and manor house now are home to spacious, elegant guest rooms in tones of silver and aqua furnished with antiques that contrast perfectly with the gorgeous modern touches. Premier rooms built in 2006 are more modern in look and feel, but also have lovely private patios. Three Heritage Suites, each with its own design style and decor, offer exceptional accommodations in two stories, all with fully equipped kitchens and private pools and lovely views. The estate's Catharina's restaurant is famous for its Sunday brunches spilling out under the giant oak trees in good weather, and the more casual Bistro Sixteen82 is an ideal spot to while away an afternoon sampling the estate's fabulous vintages and feasting on an excellent array of tapas. Don't leave without trying the estate's famous Sauvignon Blanc.

Located on more than 7 acres of rolling gardens overlooking the Liesbeek River, Cape Town's oldest hotel—built in and around the 18th-century home of Lady Anne Barnard—boasts comfortable rooms and numerous excellent facilities. Rooms are clean, comfortable, and stylishly decorated in tones of fresh pale green or silver and gray, enjoying either the spectacular views of Table Mountain’s backside or the beautifully landscaped courtyard. With four dining options, friendly service, endless places to sit and enjoy the views, as well as plenty of comfy nooks to tap away on a laptop, this hotel succeeds in keeping both leisure and business travelers happy. Although 15 minutes by car from the city, the hotel is walking distance from plenty of shops and only a five-minute drive from Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden.

In Dutch, welgelegen means "well situated," and this charming boutique guesthouse in two beautifully restored Victorian mansions is just that: nestled under Table Mountain in a quiet street just minutes away from the bustle of Kloof Street and close to the city center. The spacious rooms are all individually and stylishly decorated with a mixture of African chic and romantic whimsy, and many have (at least partial) mountain views (and about half have a private balcony). The pretty courtyard (with a small solar-heated plunge pool) and the gorgeous old library are great places to relax after a busy day, and on-site spa treatments are available. It's one of the few boutique hotels in Cape Town that welcomes children of all ages.

If you're looking for an inner-city accommodation that's well priced and far away from the late-night noise of Long Street but close enough to enjoy the nightlife, the Adderley is for you. Each spacious suite has separate sleeping and lounge areas, as well as a fully equipped kitchen. The beds are outfitted in comfy white linens, and only part of the bathroom is fully enclosed, with basin and tub in the bedroom section, and the shower and toilet behind frosted glass. The downstairs restaurant Bowl serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, but with so many good cafés and restaurants nearby, you should take advantage of their location and explore when not self-catering. During the day you're in the center of the action, but at night it's very quiet.