There’s no shortage of unique hotels in Cape Town, South Africa, that show you how a vacation should be done. Positioned between ocean and mountain, the breathtaking landscape is matched by a thrilling downtown district dishing up farm-to-fork fare and wines from the local vineyards. With international and boutique hotels vying for your attention, whittling down where to stay in Cape Town is the biggest hurdle. Complete with swimming pools and views for days, these luxury hotels in Cape Town’s top neighborhoods have you spoiled for comfort and location.
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At one of Cape Town’s most exclusive addresses, The Table Bay Hotel fuses traditional styling with attentive hospitality and creative cuisine. Rumor has it, this 5-star hotel is responsible for the best breakfast in town while the high tea has drawn the crowds since Nelson Mandela opened the hotel in 1997. Steps from the waterfront attractions, spacious rooms, and sumptuous suites give you a choice of mountain or ocean views.
Address: Quay, 6 W Quay Road, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, Cape Town, 8001, South Africa
Rates from: $247 per night
Wherever you wind up, you’re always in safe hands with a Marriott. Cocooned by the residential suburb of Century City, the Cape Town Marriott Hotel Crystal Towers is a stone’s throw from the Intaka Island wetland reserve. Sleek rooms and suites with all the trimmings accommodate couples, families, and business travelers. The rooftop bar and pool make Crystal Towers one of the best hotels in Cape Town for a sundowner.
Address: Corner Of Century Boulevard And, Rialto Rd, Century City, Cape Town, 7441, South Africa
Rates from: $117 per night
The Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa is named for the jagged mountain range that expands from Table Mountain. All rooms and suites at this 5-star oceanfront hotel have a personal balcony or patio. Soft neutrals that mimic the natural surroundings present a calming palette, complemented by hand-picked pieces from South African artists. Slightly further out of town, this is one of the best hotels in Cape Town for quiet or quick access to the Llandudno Beach surf.
Address: Victoria Rd, Camps Bay, Cape Town, 8005, South Africa Rates from: $384 per night
Unfurling over eight acres on the eastern slopes of Table Mountain, The Vineyard is making strides to be one of the most sustainable hotels in Cape Town. Pack your sneakers and tackle the jogging trail, crossing Liesbeek River and introducing you to the hotel’s resident 50-year-old tortoises. Beyond the mountain view suites and fully-equipped apartments, you can unwind with wine tastings and sunny poolside sessions surrounded by native flora.
Address: Colinton Rd, Newlands, Cape Town, 7700, South Africa Rates from: $161 per night
When choosing where to stay in Cape Town, the Radisson Blu Hotel Waterfront, Cape Town ticks off the boxes. Watch dolphins frolic from the cliffside infinity pool or at the terrace bistro while sipping a craft cocktail. This modern hotel is minutes from the V&A Waterfront, Cape Town Stadium, and Green Park yet feels like you’ve been cast out to sea. It’s worth upgrading to a sea-view room with a balcony for a superior stay.
Address: 100 Beach Road, Granger Bay Blvd, Cape Town, 8001, South Africa Rates from: $310 per night
One of the hippest hotels in Cape Town’s downtown City Bowl (Tamboerskloof) neighborhood, this 4-star property is moments from South Africa’s principal museums and the epic nightlife of Bree Street. The Protea Hotel Cape Town Fire & Ice is a swanky urban hideout with an outdoor pool, gym, and varied food. Elevate your stay by booking a room with an uninterrupted Table Mountain view or treat yourself to a massage at the on-site spa.
Address: 64 New Church St, Tamboerskloof, Cape Town, 8018, South Africa Rates from: $79 per night
Check into one of the best hotels in Cape Town for a South African seaside escape. Bantry Bay at Sea Point is an affluent neighborhood with sandy beaches, tidal lagoons, and ice cream parlors aplenty. The President Hotel offers mountain and ocean-facing units, some of which have private balconies while all have Tempur-Pedic beds. Facilities include an infinity pool, a kids’ playground, and casual dining for vegans through to carnivores.
Address: 4 Alexander Rd, Bantry Bay, Cape Town, 8001, South Africa Rates from: $74 per night
Sitting pretty in a prime spot between the wheel and the aquarium, The Commodore is one of the most kid-friendly Cape Town waterfront hotels. The property has an assortment of configurations to suit families and childcare services are available. Even the tiniest of tots can splash off a day of adventure in the shallow outdoor pool while the whole clan is guaranteed to find their new favorite dish at the nautical-themed Clipper Restaurant.
Address: Portswood Rd, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, Cape Town, 8002, South Africa Rates from: $160 per night
Comprising 35 units, this bougie bolthole is one of the most romantic boutique hotels on the Cape Town waterfront. Accented by classy grey hues with a touch of royal purple, en suite rooms at the Queen Victoria Hotel come with deluxe soaking tubs. Breakfast is on the house and the on-site spa specializes in Ayurvedic treatments. Lounge by the pool and plot out how to spend your time in the city.
Address: Moorings 5 & Portswood Ridge, 5 Portswood Rd, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, Cape Town, 8001, South Africa Rates from: $258 per night
Say hello to one of the most distinctive 5-star hotels in Cape Town. Glistening like giant diamonds, the signature pillowed glass windows at The Silo Hotel grant 360-degree views of Table Mountain and the waterfront. Lodged above Zeitz MOCAA, the property serves as an extension of the landmark gallery with bold artifacts in all spaces. Start your day with laps in the rooftop pool and remedy post-hike aches with a bubble bath overlooking South Africa’s coolest capital.
Address: Silo Square, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, Cape Town, 8001, South Africa Rates from: $906 per night
Rooms and suites at the ultra-fashionable One&Only Cape Town are spread over the marina and island. Organic materials and artisanal pieces celebrate the landscape of South Africa while views of the emblematic mountain justify the upgrade. One of the key luxury hotels in Cape Town for wellness, Spa Island is a floating sanctuary offering holistic therapies using indigenous plants and yoga classes. Designer poolside cabanas shield you from the elements
Address: One&Only Cape Town, Dock Rd, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, Cape Town, 8001, South Africa Rates from: $812 per night
First-time visitors should prioritize V&A Waterfront hotels when deciding where to stay in Cape Town, South Africa. Close to everything, this modern development is abuzz with hotels, restaurants, and attractions for foodies to families. Cape Town’s downtown district, Tamboerskloof, will suit city slickers seeking a share of nightlife and culture. Sea Point is the best area to stay in Cape Town for beaches.
Is Cape Town cheap or expensive?
In contrast to destinations in the United States, Cape Town is extremely affordable overall with hotels catering to budget travelers and those looking to splurge. Comfortable 4 and 5-star hotels in Cape Town range from $100-300 per night during spring, fall, and winter while top-of-the-scale luxury lodgings can nudge $1,000 a night. Hotel rates may swell to almost double in summer.
Are four nights in Cape Town enough?
Four nights in Cape Town is enough to see the cultural sights, Table Mountain, and local beaches. Booking seven nights means you can tap on a couple of day trips to nature reserves and wineries.
What is the best month to go to Cape Town?
The best months to go to Cape Town are the shoulder seasons of fall (March to May) and spring (September through November). Visit in spring to hike through wildflowers or in fall for the annual wine harvest. The summer months of December to February see the hottest temperatures but hotels in Cape Town book out fast during peak season. Winter (June through August) brings cheaper hotel rates, scattered rainfall, and temperatures in the low 60s.