Best hotels in South Africa

There are hotels that swallow you whole — enormous lobbies, endless corridors, a breakfast buffet the size of a football pitch. And then there's this: four suites tucked into a quietly distinguished property at the V&A Waterfront, where the ratio of Table Mountain to fellow guests is refreshingly, almost ludicrously, in your favour. Adjacent to the Queen Victoria Hotel and sitting snugly within the secure Waterfront precinct, this is the kind of place that feels more like a borrowed townhouse than a hotel — old-world charm in the bones, properly modern comforts throughout. Cape Town's best restaurants, boutiques and harbour are moments away on foot, yet the double-glazed windows and intimate scale mean you'd never know it. For those who find conventional hotels a little... impersonal, consider this a very agreeable alternative.

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 its humble beginnings on the then outskirts of Cape Town in 1994 to the 4* B&B experience it offers today just a stone’s throw away from Cape Town’s most famous strip, Ocean View House has remained true to its foundation: family. A family business which welcomes each and every guest as the newest member of the Ocean View family. With breath-taking views of the Atlantic Oceans before you and the 12 Apostles mountains standing watch behind you, our guests can find peace under the ancient Milkwood trees that shade our park-like gardens while exploring the mountain stream and koi ponds that dot the terrain. Retreat to one of the spacious 24 guestrooms and enjoy your delicious breakfast in the solitude of your balcony or terrace while you decide whether to take a tour of the peninsula or perhaps heads towards the nearby Camps Bay and enjoy a luxurious dining experience amongst the beautiful young things of Cape Town’s own Hollywood. Whatever your choice, Ocean View House remains your home away from home.

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.

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.

In the heart of Sea Point stands The Cole - a sanctuary built for those travelling through life with intention. At its core is The Sun Seeker, a figure that grounds and carries the essence of The Cole, where bold design meets effortless luxury.

Like the modern traveller, she is a lover of both ocean and city. She echoes through the walls of The Cole, shaping moments of quiet meaning: the morning sun spilling onto crisp linen, the soft glow of candlelight over dinner, the hum of conversation against the backdrop of the Atlantic Ocean.

Bringing a new level of luxury to the slopes of Noordhoek. Surrounded by vineyards and with the cool blue waters of the Atlantic in the distance, The Alexander Estate offers a contemporary stay complemented by wellness experiences and elevated dining.

ANEW Hotel Green Point is located in Green Point, Cape Town close to the V&A Waterfront and within walking distance of many famous local landmarks such as the Green Point Urban Park, Sea Point Promenade, and a host of other amenities. This hotel not only offers visitors magnificent views but no fewer than 76 expertly designed and environmentally conscious hotel rooms.

The 4-star ANEW Hotel Green Point is the perfect accommodation option for those wishing to explore the Mother City. Take in the magnificent views of Signal Hill and the Atlantic Ocean while enjoying a drink at the rooftop lounge and entertainment area.

Perched in the exclusive leafy enclave of Cape Town's oldest wine region, this gem offers the ultimate 'have your cake and eat it' experience. Wake up to jaw-dropping panoramas stretching from vineyard valleys to mountain peaks and the glittering False Bay peninsula beyond. Five individually-themed apartments offer self-catering convenience with a dollop of luxury, while two sparkling pools beckon for afternoon dips. And while you'll feel wonderfully removed from the urban bustle, you're actually brilliantly positioned for exploring. The legendary Constantia Wine Route awaits on your doorstep, Kirstenbosch's botanical wonders lie just around the corner, and those postcard-perfect beaches are a mere 20-minute jaunt away. For the intrepid, hiking trails snake through the surrounding hills, while city slickers can reach the vibrant Waterfront in the same time it takes to decide which vineyard to visit first.