We list the best hotels in Cape Town as recommended by travel experts from CNN, Lonely Planet, Frommer’s, Fodor’s, New York Times and more. All hotel recommendations have been referenced with customer reviews, and we only listed places with at least a 4 out of 5-star customer review rating.
Best cheap hotel in Cape Town: BlackBrick Cape Town
Best boutique hotel in Cape Town: Welgelegen Hotel
Best luxury hotel in Cape Town: Mount Nelson Hotel
Best hostel in Cape Town: 91 Loop
Best eco-friendly hotel in Cape Town: The Treehouse Boutique Hotel
“The eight guest rooms at the MannaBay are decorated in different themes. Its high hillside location on the edge of the national park provides amazing views.”
“This distinctive pink landmark has been the grande dame of Cape Town since it opened its doors in 1899 to accommodate passengers just off the Union-Castle steamships.”
Featured as Fodor’s Choice in Cape Town.
“The owner and interior designer Jessica Latimer styled Cape View Clifton to resemble a chic but relaxed beach house. With a distinctly South African air, it has crisp white and gray interiors, faux kudu horns doubling as hat hooks, bulbous vases heaped with protea flowers. Set snugly on the cliffs above Clifton Beach, the five rooms and two apartments have sweeping views of the ocean from private balconies.”
Featured in New York Times’ 36 Hours in Cape Town.
“Don your chicest sunglasses here, you’ll need them to fend off the golden rays shimmering off the Atlantic. At Ellerman House, the ocean is ever-present, a liquid canvas that spreads out beneath this breathtakingly positioned A-class hotel.”
Featured as Frommer’s Exceptional Choice in Cape Town.
“Luxurious Tintswalo hugs the edge of Hout Bay beneath Chapman’s Peak, with an unbroken view of the Sentinel towering over town, and whales passing in season.”
“Twenty minutes from the central business district (CDB), this relaxed winelands hotel rolls out the vintage welcome mat at rates you’d expect to pay for plonk. The winelands are what to do in Cape Town and this is the place to make home base.”
“In the heart of the Central Business District, Cape Heritage Hotel is nestled among the popular restaurants, bars and boutiques of Bree Street. Every floorboard of the 1771-built house creaks with history, but the 17 rooms are a thoughtful hybrid of old and new. A pergola in the cobblestoned patio is draped with what is said to be the oldest grapevine in South Africa.”
Featured in New York Times’ 36 Hours in Cape Town.
“Expat couple Maxime and Mélodie ladle on the Gallic charm at this imaginatively renovated former stables, where the ancient stone walls are a feature of the rooms.”
“The Silo pretty well defines the adage, ‘Location, location, location’. You have to be up for some bold décor choices, but the location and views couldn’t be better and having access to the hottest museum on the continent is pretty cool.”
Featured in CN Traveler’s 2018 Hot List
“This glam urban resort was built for name-dropping: Bastien Gonzalez gives mani-pedis in the spa, Nobuyuki Matsuhisa’s only eatery in Africa is here and local celeb-chef Reuben Riffel dishes up South African cuisine at the somewhat-cavernous Reuben’s.”
“B.I.G. is a wonderful hybrid backpacker and b&b, with 12 en-suite private double/triple/family rooms, six en-suite dorms and the most engaging hosts you could hope for. A fun, vibrant, affordable option that will introduce you to the best the city has to offer.”
“Guests can watch seals and whales from the terrace, explore the eponymous Twelve Apostles mountains rising behind the property, or simply feel the constant, effortless embrace of luxury at every turn.”
Featured as Frommer’s Exceptional Choice in Cape Town.
“This Fair Trade in Tourism–accredited operation offers affordable style, a buzzing vibe and fantastic staff. Its dorms may not be Cape Town’s cheapest but they’re among its best, while the private rooms and self-catering apartments are charmingly decorated.”
“The recipe is simple: wade through a mountain of red tape; hoist seven vintage Airstream trailers to a downtown rooftop; tell seven renowned artists to throw rules out the window when designing the interiors; sprinkle with city views.”
Recommended by:
Lonely Planet, Forbes, Telegraph
Recommended by:
Fodors, Forbes, CNN, Telegraph
Recommended by:
New York Times, Telegraph
Recommended by:
Frommers, Fodors, Forbes, Telegraph
Recommended by:
Lonely Planet, Fodors, Telegraph
Recommended by:
CNN, Telegraph
Recommended by:
New York Times, Telegraph
Recommended by:
Lonely Planet
Recommended by:
CN Traveler, Forbes, Telegraph
Recommended by:
CNN, Telegraph
Recommended by:
Telegraph
Recommended by:
Frommers, Fodors, Telegraph
Recommended by:
Lonely Planet
Recommended by:
CNN
Cape Town is a port city on the southwestern coast of South Africa that is home to natural and architectural wonders including the Table Mountain, Robben Island, Cape of Good Hope, Boulders Beach, to name just a few.
Some of the best neighborhoods in Cape Town are:
Bo-Kaap
Bo-Kaap is among the oldest neighborhoods of the port city and is famous for its rows of flat-roofed buildings. The neighborhood is the home to a wide numbers of tourist hotspots including centuries-old mosques, museum, restaurants, hotels, and guest houses. It also has a shopping mall.
Victoria and Alfred Waterfront
Victoria and Alfred Waterfront is among the most popular neighborhoods of Cape Town. The area is home to shopping malls, food market, watershed, design and souvenir stores that offer a wide array of crafts, fashion, and local design. The area also boasts of an aquarium, high-end apartments, and other cultural attractions.
Camps Bay
Camps Bay is a suburban neighborhood in the city that is renowned for its upmarket mansions and palm-tree lined beach overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. The area is home to a wide range of hotels, shops, restaurants, and sea-side bars that transform into nightclubs at the breaking of dusk.
Hout Bay
Hout Bay is a neighborhood with natural beauty, heritage, and unique location that give the area the charm and spectacular views. The area is also home to Mariner’s Wharf, Bay Harbour Market, Chapman’s Peak, among other tourist attractions. The neighborhood is replete with curio shops, seafood restaurants where local goods, food, and live music can be found under one place.
Gardens
Gardens is a suburban neighborhood that offers a plenty of art galleries, shops, pubs, and restaurants. The neighborhood is home to the Labia Theatre that is located on Orange Street.
Also check out our travel guide about the best areas to stay in Cape Town.
For a 3-star hotel in Cape Town you pay $85 per night on average. If you're looking for a 4-star hotel then you would need to spend around $120 per night, or if you're after a luxury 5-star hotel then you would have to spend approximately $250 per night.
If you're looking for a cheap hotel in Cape Town, then try BlackBrick Cape Town. It's an excellent budget hotel offering great value for money. It's in a good location, it's been recommended by travel experts and the hotel has excellent customer reviews. Also check out our list of the best cheap hotels in Cape Town.
Not a fan of big chain hotels? No problem. If you want to stay in a boutique hotel in Cape Town, then you should book Welgelegen Hotel. The hotel has been rated highly by previous guests for its boutique style. It has also been recommended by influential travel journalists.
Also check out our list of the best boutique hotels in Cape Town, it's a manually curated list of the most unique and romantic hotels in the city.
If money isn't a problem and you're looking for a luxury hotel in Cape Town, then go for Mount Nelson Hotel. The hotel offers excellent service, it's in a top location, it has been rated very highly by previous guests and renowned travel critics have recommended it. Also check out our list of the best luxury hotels in Cape Town, it's a manually curated list of the most exclusive 5-star hotels in the city.
If you're looking for a great hostel in Cape Town, then you should check out 91 Loop. The hostel has magnificent reviews by backpackers, it has been recommended by well-known travel experts and it's in a good location. Also check out our list of the best hostels in Cape Town.
If you're looking for hotels with great views of Cape Town, then try the Twelve Apostles Hotel & Spa, Cape View Clifton Hotel or the One&Only Hotel. All those hotels have excellent customer review ratings for their amazing views.
Looking for a hotel that offers a good start to the day? Try the Cape Heritage Hotel, it has some excellent customer review ratings for their breakfast buffet. Hostel The Backpack also offers nice breakfast.
If you're looking for a hotel with an excellent rooftop bar, then try Hotel The Grand Daddy Airstream Trailer Park. It's also a very funky place to stay.
Table Mountain Cable Car Ticket & Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Combo. See the best of Cape Town with this combined Table Mountain return cable car ticket, Cape Town hop-on hop-off bus ticket and, free walking tour. Use the bus to be dropped at the door of the Cableway station. Price: $41.
Full-Day Cape Point & Cape Peninsula Sightseeing Tour from Cape Town. Visit Boulders Beach, Cape Fur, and Cape Point Nature Reserve, and see a penguin colony as well as other wildlife. Price: $62.
Robben Island: Ferry Ticket and Tour. Secure a ticket for the ferry to Robben Island and visit the prison where Nelson Mandela was kept during Apartheid. Learn about the dramatic history of South Africa through the voice of one of the former prisoners. Price: $65.
More things to do in Cape Town
Cape Town is a city of contrasts, and while that may seem like a bit of a negative, it is actually a good thing. The diverse population of the city means there are a lot of things to do and see. There is a huge variety of cuisine as well, so no matter what your taste buds prefer, there is something for you. It is no surprise that this city is home to so many different people and has developed into one of South Africa’s great cities. It is a place where you can relax and enjoy, and this guide will help you discover the best of the Cape, no matter where you are heading.
Cape Town is a massive city, so it will be hard to see and do everything in just one trip or visit. There are many different places to go and a lot of things to see, so the following list is an attempt to help you out.
1) Cape Point: This is a great place to visit because it offers beautiful views of the ocean and Table Mountain. It also has hiking trails that lead up to Chapman’s Peak.
2) The Cape of Good Hope: The largest natural harbour in the world awaits you over here! It is a beautiful area with some interesting history as well.
3) Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens: This is one of the most popular attractions for tourists, and for good reason! There are many different plants here, as well as animals, with lots of green space too.
4) The Constantia Winelands: If you are into wine then this area is perfect for you! You will find great wine here at all price points, as well as many restaurants that serve wines from around the world.
The Tablelands are a fantastic place to visit while in Cape Town. These hilly areas are the oldest part of the city and home to some of the most spectacular views.
The Boulders Beach is one of the top attractions in the city. It has a natural rocky landscape that is perfect for exploring and relaxing. You can also climb the Table Mountain or just lay on the beach, listening to the waves crashing against the shore. There are many things to do at this beach, including swimming and picnics, which make it a great tourist attraction.
It’s also not too busy and people are generally more relaxed here. What better place to spend your day than a beautiful beach? If you want to relax and enjoy yourself without being surrounded by crowds of tourists, then this is your destination for sure.
Muizenberg is a suburb of Cape Town that has long been known for its surfing. Muizenberg’s beach is said to be one of the best places for surfing in all of the world, and it is where the official surfing competitions are held. The beach is also close to the popular Clifton beaches that are lined with amazing shops and restaurants.
The City Bowl is the heart and soul of Cape Town and is made up to be a pedestrian-friendly area. The area has a lot of amenities and is near many of the city’s major attractions. The Observatory, which was originally an observatory, is now an entertainment venue that hosts concerts, theater performances, and other special events.
The City Bowl has a lot of historic buildings which are worth exploring. The oldest building in the area is at number 1 Queen Victoria Street and is known as Constantia House or Constantia Public Library. It is often described as one of the most beautiful libraries in the world with its historically significant architecture. This library was first opened in 1859, but it wasn’t until 1899 when it became a public library.
Another popular attraction in the City Bowl region is St George’s Cathedral on Church Street. Built on top of land granted by the Dutch East India Company in 1869, this Anglican cathedral shows off some impressive architecture for sure! There are many other attractions in this region including museums like Iziko South African Museum or Cape Town Holocaust Centre as well as parks like Company Gardens or Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens.
The Gardens and Woodlands are a must-visit attraction. The gardens are located in Kirstenbosch, the university botanical gardens. You can find them on the slopes of Devil’s Peak, just west of Table Mountain, and is the country’s best garden with amazing Cape fynbos plants and a number of beautiful water features. You can explore for hours here and it is free to get in.
The Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden is also home to some animal species that you may not find elsewhere such as gemsbok and red lechwe, which are both antelope that live in South Africa. The woodlands area is where you will find birds like the southern ground hornbill which are quite commonly seen in this area. There are many hiking trails to take in the beauty of this area of nature as well.
Table Mountain National Park is one of the city’s most prized natural features. It is a lush and beautiful environment that provides an escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. The park is open all year round, but to get in, you will need to buy tickets at self-pay stations. Once inside, there are plenty of trails to explore and many points of interest along the way.
One of the highlights of Table Mountain National Park is the Table Mountain Cableway. It offers a quick and easy way to get up close and personal with Table Mountain for those who don’t want to exert themselves on the hike up or are simply not able to do so. The views from such a high altitude are spectacular, as well.
If you are a tourist in Cape Town, there are many day trips you can take. One of the most popular day trips is to the wine country. The Hermanus Wine Valley is only a short drive away from Cape Town. It is home to over 150 wine farms, so there is plenty to explore! Another great day trip is the Cape Point Nature Reserve. This reserve has beautiful natural scenery and offers some of the most scenic views in Africa. If you have time for an overnight stay, make it as far as we recommend going: False Bay. While this may seem like a long way from Cape Town, it will be worth your while if you want to get out on the water or see one of South Africa’s most beautiful beaches!
There are many great things to do in Cape Town. Of course, the city is a huge tourist attraction, but that doesn’t mean it is only suitable for tourists. There are a lot of locals who love the city and spend their time there.
Some other recommendations for those visiting the Cape:
1) Table Mountain: A visit to Table Mountain includes a cable ride up and the iconic view of the entire city below.
2) Robben Island: The island is where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 18 of his 27 years before being released in 1990.
3) The Company’s Garden: Here you will find a large fountain, rose garden, and an array of exotic plants. It is also home to a huge variety of fruit trees.
Want to get to know the city a bit better? Check out our guide about where to stay in Cape Town, it includes recommendations about the best areas, museums, attractions and other things to do.
If you like our list of the best hotels and hostels in Cape Town, then you should also check out our selection of recommended hotels in Marrakech or the best hotels in Fez.