Best hotels in Cape Town

Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel, Cape Town

Affectionately dubbed "The Nellie," Cape Town’s iconic Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel opened in 1899. Shipping magnate Sir Donald Currie envisioned a luxurious oasis that would rival the finest London hotels for his well-heeled passengers. It proved a massive hit, famously serving as a British military headquarters during the South African War, where a young war correspondent named Winston Churchill was among the guests.

“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.

Ellerman House, Cape Town

Perched on the dramatic slopes of Lion’s Head in Bantry Bay, Ellerman House is a historic, Edwardian-style mansion built in 1906. Originally named Florida House, it was later purchased by the prominent shipping magnate Sir John Ellerman. In 1992, the grand estate was meticulously reimagined by Mark Thomas Architects, transforming it into an ultra-exclusive luxury boutique hotel that completely seals itself off from the public.

“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.

Labotessa Boutique Hotel, Cape Town

Labotessa Boutique Hotel in Cape Town is this super-chic little gem right in the heart of the city, tucked into a historic 17th-century building on Church Square. When you step inside, it feels like a mash-up of old-world elegance and modern luxury.

“Labotessa is a narrow, tall, blue townhouse that wouldn’t look out of place in Amsterdam. The hotel is tucked away on historic Church Square, which is full of architectural landmarks, including the Dutch Reformed Groote Kerk. Sunset views are a bonus.”

The Silo Hotel, Cape Town

The Silo Hotel in Cape Town is this insanely cool mash-up of raw industrial architecture and posh design. Think brutalist grain silos transformed into a sleek, art-filled stay. It sits right above the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary African Art (MOCAA), so art lovers are literally staying on top of one of Africa’s premier cultural hubs.

“The Silo Hotel is perched above the Zeitz Museum, with “pillowed-glass” windows (many triangular panels of glass create a three-dimensional bubble effect), art on the walls and contemporary rooms with traditional décor, like couches with scrolled armrests and studs.”

Tintswalo Atlantic, Cape Town

On a pebbled beach just below Cape Town's iconic Chapman's Peak Drive, Lodge Tintswalo Atlantic holds a truly unparalleled title. It is the only hotel permitted to operate right on the water's edge within the boundaries of the Table Mountain National Park World Heritage site.

“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.”

MannaBay Fine Boutique Hotel, Cape Town

Perched high on the affluent slopes of Oranjezicht, MannaBay Fine Boutique Hotel sits directly at the foot of Table Mountain National Park. In fact, the property features a private gate leading straight onto the mountain's trails, offering an unmatched entry point for hikers looking to conquer the famous peak or nearby Devil’s Peak.

“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.”

Twelve Apostles Hotel & Spa, Cape Town

Dramatically sandwiched between the crashing Atlantic waves and the rugged peaks of Table Mountain National Park, the Five-Star Twelve Apostles Hotel & Spa sits on a scenic coastal road just outside Cape Town. It’s a stone’s throw from the trendy beaches of Camps Bay and a short drive from the historic Constantia Wine Route.

“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.

One&Only Hotel, Cape Town

In the bustling V&A Waterfront, the One&Only Cape Town opened in 2009 as a luxury urban resort. Its sleek, crescent-shaped Marina Rise building was designed by local architects Dennis Fabian & Berman alongside Ruben Reddy, while acclaimed New York designer Adam D. Tihany crafted the rich, African-inspired interiors.

“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.”

Cape View Clifton Hotel, Cape Town

Perched dramatically on the cliffside above Cape Town’s most exclusive coastline, Cape View Clifton is a luxury boutique property that commands breathtaking 180-degree panoramas of the Atlantic Ocean and the Twelve Apostles mountain range. Coverted from a series of run-down, dilapidated self-catering apartments, the property was transformed into a multi-level sanctuary by the mother-and-daughter design duo, Frith and Jessica Latimer.

“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.

Cape Heritage Hotel, Cape Town

The Cape Heritage Hotel is a gorgeous boutique getaway that dates back to the 1780s. Built blending traditional Dutch and Georgian architectural styles, the building originally buzzed with 18th-century commerce, housing everyone from bakers and gunsmiths to coach makers before it was saved from being turned into a parking lot in the 1960s.

“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.

Steenberg Hotel Tokai, Cape Town

Tucked away in the lush Constantia Valley against the Steenberg Mountains, the Steenberg Hotel & Spa is actually located on Cape Town’s very first registered farm, dating all the way back to 1682. The historic property has deep roots, originally granted to a fiercely independent German immigrant named Catharina Ras, who famously made her way through five husbands in the wild, early days of the Cape Colony.

“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.”

The BIG Luxury Backpackers, Cape Town

At the base of Signal Hill in the safe, trendy neighborhood of Green Point, THE BIG Luxury Backpackers completely reimagined the local hostel scene when it opened in 2012. Founded by an avid budget traveler, the property was transformed from a run-down, musty building into a bright, beach-chic hybrid that blends the social warmth of a backpackers with the clean comfort of a boutique guesthouse.

“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.”

The Grand Daddy Boutique Hotel, Cape Town

If you are looking for an accommodation experience full of character, The Grand Daddy Boutique Hotel on Cape Town's bustling Long Street is a legendary pick. Operating as a hotel since 1895 (originally called the Hotel Metropole), this Victorian-era landmark seamlessly blends historic architecture with playful, modern design. Inside, you can ride what is believed to be the oldest operational elevator in the city.

“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.”

La Grenadine, Cape Town

Tucked behind wooden gates right in Cape Town’s bustling City Bowl, Guesthouse La Grenadine is a gorgeous escape from the urban rush. It is housed in a restored 19th-century farmstead that once served as old stables and a school. French owners and artists, Mélodie and Maxime, fell in love with the property, saved it from being demolished by developers, and lovingly transformed it themselves.

“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.”