Best hotels in Cape Town

Closed for renovations. Opening January 2027.

Set a few streets back from Camps Bay beach, a favourite of Cape Town’s rich and beautiful, Sea Five is blissful in every way. From the palette of earthy African tones and soothing Mediterranean blues and the sweeping views of the mountains and sea to the divine lavender scented gardens, you can’t fail to feel utterly zen after a stay here. But with private transfers to the bustling city, easy access to the hip bars and restaurants of Camps Bay Strip and the spectacular coastline of the Western Cape only a few minutes away, there’s plenty to keep you feeling lively too.

Thirty minutes from central Cape Town, in the beachside suburb of Hout Bay, lies a truly breathtaking mountain retreat that exemplifies the essence of African communal heritage. Maison Noir, "black house" in French, is a private family estate in which each member owns a small home. The architect drew his inspiration from the many cultures that have taken root in South Africa, and he's created a winner. The homestead incorporates indoor/outdoor design around an interior courtyard in a setting that'll appeal to lovers of fine design, and those keen to explore Table Mountain National Park – just steps away.

Set in an arboreal glen in the bustling seaside suburb of Camps Bay, Camps Bay Retreat offers a collection of different suites and rooms around the beautiful grounds. A historic manor house built in 1929 is at the heart of estate; externally, the architecture is grand and impressive, and internally, the classic décor will make you feel as if you’ve stumbled into an 18th-century explorers lounge. Accommodation-wise, choose from the classic rooms in the house itself, or one of the more modern suites in the Deck House. And then all that’s left to do is lounge in the garden, stroll to the beach or play a lazy game of tennis...

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"!

Perched in Cape Town's northern suburbs, the Protea Hotel Tyger Valley is the perfect option for travellers needing easy airport access or a base near the suburbs of Bellville or Durbanville. The views are the main draw here. Table Mountain dominates the southern skyline, the Boland mountains frame the east, and evening sunsets over Table Bay make the "Point of View" restaurant more than worth a visit.

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.