13 Best Hotels in Cape Town, South Africa

Outrageously and wonderfully far from the norm, this centrally located hotel was carved out of a pair of old side-by-side blocks on St George's Mall and made to stand out from the rest with its strong personality, wonderful collection of art, and rooms crafted by sought-after designer Tristan du Plessis. Apart from the make-yourself-at-home atmosphere and the really gorgeous guest rooms (a mix of studios and one- and two-bedroom suites), there are sumptuous lounges, and a bar and rooftop restaurant, as well as a performance-cum-exhibition space that does a great job of making this hotel a popular after-dark venue among hip locals. Events are regularly organized to keep the atmosphere alive and full of verve, and the rooftop pool is one of those secret parts of the city that are worth staying here just for the opportunity to experience.

A pair of side-by-side houses in residential Sea Point, a short walk up from the main drag, have been transformed into what is easily one of Cape Town's prettiest and most welcoming small-scale boutique hotels. Everything here emphasizes color, vibrancy, and quirky, sometimes off-the-wall design ideas, and there are heaps of little details to make sure you feel at home from the moment you step inside and set eyes on the cozy sitting areas, the central kitchen, the piles of books, and all the plants and artworks and smiling faces of the people who take care of you. It's instantly the kind of place that makes you feel settled and happy to have arrived. The rooms come in lots of different shapes and sizes, but all share impeccable style, even in the smallest, rather poky downstairs quarters which will better suit solo travelers or folks who don't intend to spend much time indoors. All the rooms have thick, plush mattresses, locally made toiletries, art on the walls, and bathrobes that match the jungle-inspired theme. Shared spaces include small pool decks and fireplaces in the sitting rooms, and while not all the rooms have any sort of view, those that do are quite wonderful, with perhaps a section of mountain and intriguing panoramas of the surrounding neighborhood's rooftops.

Built as a private home in 1771, this centrally located boutique hotel's spacious rooms are individually decorated, melding a rather eclectic collection of South African contemporary art with its historic architecture, and making the most of the building's teak-beamed ceilings, foot-wide yellowwood floorboards, and numerous other details that recall its gracious past. Some rooms have four-poster beds, others exposed brickwork, but each has its own special charm. Rooms overlooking the pleasant courtyard—complete with tables sheltered by what's claimed to be the oldest grapevine in South Africa—may be a little noisy, but the revelry theoretically stops at midnight. Parking (for which you have to pay) is across the street in a section of a public lot with good security, and friendly staff makes sure everything runs smoothly. Not to be confused with a similarly named hotel in Bo-Kaap that opened more recently.

Wonderfully vibrant and filled with colorful fabrics, themed wallpapers, and displays of artifacts and artworks that clearly celebrate a love of the continent and its people, this beautiful centrally located Victorian house is a place where you'll feel right at home and be perfectly situated to explore Cape Town. Rooms are styled with an eclectic modern African aesthetic and are very cheerful spaces to retire to at the end of the day. Some rooms are a bit small, so if you tend to spend a lot of time lounging in bed, opt for one of the larger quarters. The appealing and spacious public areas include a large bright lounge with a fireplace, lots of books and magazines, and a variety of seating areas.

This stylish, small-scale hotel is perfect for a quiet stay in a convenient location with a mix of comfort, artsy minimalism, and helpful service. Guest rooms come in different sizes, but apart from the deliberately named "S" unit with its in-room glass-wall shower, none is small, and all are cleverly designed to maximize space with a hint of African inspiration that's not gimmicky. Some have their own private decks, garden terraces, or direct access to one of the two pool and deck areas. The front-facing pool enjoys superb views, and there is also a lovely lounge area where staff compose cocktails and serve snacks.

This midsize boutique hotel on a quiet street in Sea Point is one part playful, Ibiza-inspired style—think orchids and a bright Greek Isle palette of white and turquoise—and one part elegant African touches. Rooms in the Victorian-style main building are very masculine with lots of wood, silvered surfaces, and Oriental carpets, while those in the so-called East wing come in neutral tones of white, silver, or taupe, and are airy and bright. Almost all of the East rooms have some kind of private deck or patio area, and most enjoy at least a partial mountain or sea view. Staff are incredibly friendly and happy to organize day trips and tours. Exuding something of a resort atmosphere, its public spaces, including two pools surrounded by chaises and partial views, encourage socializing among guests.

Built in 1892, this sweet, neat, and decidedly handsome little guesthouse (think leather, textured wallpaper, original pressed ceilings, and quirky antiques and art) is conveniently close to Green Point's main drag. This means you're within walking distance of restaurants and shops (including those in De Waterkant), Green Point Park (and Mouille Point), and the V&A Waterfront. It has everything you could need if your needs are straightforward (showers only, for example, and rather small bathrooms), and while there are no real views to speak of, there is a small pool, an outdoor lounging (and tanning) area (where you can also barbecue if you wish), a dining room where breakfast is served and where you can sit down to eat takeout. Guestrooms are a mixed bag in terms of size (the entry-level "deluxe" rooms are quite small, but cleverly put together), while superior rooms have balconies, and all the bedrooms are cleverly and quirkily decorated with thrifted furniture and personally sourced vintage bric-a-brac.

Originally a farmhouse, this immaculate property in a quiet residential neighborhood is within walking distance to all the excitement of Kloof Street. Its current owners have transformed the property into an absolute beauty, with a mix of clean lines, an ivory-white palette, and no-expenses-spared top-notch amenities in the rooms and public areas. Plus there are lots of spoiling touches, such as the tea that's served in the gorgeous little salon-style lounge, and experiences designed to help you get to grips with the soul of Cape Town (yoga, Pilates, a Christmas market, book club get-togethers, and tours to various parts of the city, the peninsula, and the Winelands). Rooms are a mixed bag, from a very compact "boutique" unit for solo travelers to the gracious and luxurious suite with a private balcony, but all of them are visual stunners and smartly put together.

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.

A smart integration of original Edwardian elements and contemporary features, this guesthouse-style boutique hotel in an old mansion is close to Wynberg's fabulous Chelsea Village precinct. The house itself is gracious and very handsomely put together, with elegant, super-comfortable guestrooms in the main house as well as in the cottages around the edge of the garden. There are wonderful mountain views from some if not all the rooms. There's a handsome little lounge with a bar, a breakfast room, and seating outside in the courtyard which is sublime in spring and summer. And, despite being quite low-key, the intimate fine-dining restaurant is overseen by Gregory Henderson, a renowned chef who creates a mind-boggling tasting menu using foraged and hyper-local ingredients. The nearby town resembles the high street of a small English town, lined with cafés, galleries, boutiques, and antique stores in original Georgian houses. It's also home to Maynardville, a park where every summer there's a Shakespeare festival with outdoor performances. 

In upper Green Point, this collection of luxury holiday apartments includes sea-facing suites with a choice of one, two, or three bedrooms, balconies, and fully fitted kitchens. What it lacks in gardens and expansive outdoor areas is made up for with generously apportioned interior spaces and a lovely lounge deck around the large pool. Though the self-catering facilities might tempt you to eat in your own suite or on the balcony, breakfast is available (bed-and-breakfast rates are also possible) and so are light lunches. A plethora of lovely dining options and good delis and bakeries are nearby that you'd do well to use to stock your apartment's kitchen.

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.