Best hotels in South Africa

The Alphen is an elegant boutique hotel in Cape Town's historic Constantia Valley, one of the oldest and most renowned wine producing regions in the Cape. With a history dating back to its origins as a wine farm in the early seventeenth century, this beautiful hotel still has a timeless Cape Dutch feel, with a modern designer edge and exceptional facilities. Accommodation consists of 19 plush suites in glorious park-like grounds, and the three restaurant are simply fabulous, as are the eateries in the surrounding vineyards. In fact, you might not even have enough time to try them all!

Hotels at Cape Town’s world-famous V&A Waterfront tend to be of the large and sprawling variety. Nothing wrong with that, but sometimes you just want some peace and quiet… Enter the Dock House, a rather splendid boutique hotel with just six uber-luxurious rooms. Restored by interiors guru Francois du Plessis, the pretty Victorian house is cool, creamy and very contemporary and the whole glamorous picture is completed by dazzling postcard-perfect views; the vibrant harbour to the front and Table Mountain and Lions Head behind. And the best bit? Some of the city’s best shopping, wining and dining is a mere stroll from the front door.

Located on Orange Street, right in the heart of Cape Town, 15 on Orange couldn't be any closer to the city's trendy shops, restaurants and bars. In fact, it's also pretty close to the city centre museums and markets, vibrant Long Street, and the beautiful Company's Gardens. A big tick, then, for a fantastic location, but what about the hotel itself? Well, we don't think you'll be disappointed - there's a fine-dining restaurant, swimming pool and spa, and 129 Afro-chic bedrooms, with views of the iconic Table Mountain straight from your bed.

Villa Zest is a small boutique hotel in the lively district of Green Point, one of Cape Town’s most fashionable suburbs. What sets this hotel apart is its strong retro feel throughout. Each of its seven rooms has a unique 70s-themed design teamed with modern state-of-the-art technology, and unexpected touches like the somewhat bizarre collection of vintage radios on display. Green Point is renowned for its Riviera-style palm-fringed coastline, upbeat urban vibe, café culture and non-stop nightlife, and Villa Zest is perfectly positioned to experience the very best that this part of Cape Town has to offer.

Set on the edge of Cape Town's beloved V&A Waterfront, where designer shops attract the chic set and everyone else comes to stroll, listen to music and enjoy pretty fine pizzas and other delights, is the uber-polished Queen Victoria Hotel. This small inn is indeed fit for royalty, with its intimate spaces and service that's both discreet and personalised. Visitors here generally want high-end accommodation and hospitality, and they get it in spades. There's a glut of shops on the doorstep, and sweeping beaches and mountains within easy reach by road. And the views from the hotel warrant a "Wow"!

Under the gaze of Table Mountain and just a two-minute walk away from the Victoria & Albert Waterfront, the Protea Hotel Cape Town Waterfront Breakwater Lodge is truly winning in the location stakes. Originally part of the Breakwater Prison, which was built in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the lodge has the look of a whitewashed fortress. Happily, its original architecture was carefully preserved and, in the early 2000s, converted into a hotel. With an address as central as this, there's so much on offer in terms of activities, whether you choose to shop til you drop, hit the beach or taste your way through the city's restaurants.

A private home in Cape Town's creative heart for up to six guests. Three en-suite bedrooms, private pool and deck beneath Table Mountain, and the luxury of exploring this city entirely at your pace. A dedicated team ensures every detail feels effortless whilst a private vehicle means Cape Town unfolds on your schedule. This isn't just exclusive use; this is coming home to Cape Town.

From a visionary private estate to a distinguished boutique hotel, The Claremont carries the grandeur of a bygone era into the present day. Originally named ‘The Andros’, the residence stood as an expression of its era. Today, it is known as The Claremont, a boutique hotel that honours its architectural origin while offering modern-day luxury.

With only fifteen rooms, The Claremont, part of the Sabi Sabi Collection, offers a tranquil escape, set in a century-old Cape Dutch Manor, beautifully restored as a luxury boutique hotel located in one of Cape Town’s greenest, most established suburbs.