One of the hardest decisions when you visit Cape Town just might be where to stay. The city and V&A Waterfront have an abundance of luxury hotels-including the Mount Nelson, Cape Grace, One&Only, and Silo-all of which are highly desirable, especially for first-time visitors. But the smaller boltholes, boutique hotels, and private villas in exclusive residential areas are just as popular, offering insider intel on neighborhood gems, from cafes to beaches.
They've got access to a more authentic slice of local life-and, of course, greater privacy and flexibility. Not to worry, it doesn't matter what you choose: We've combed our sources to bring you our picks for Cape Town's best hotels, and you can't go wrong with any of them.
Here's a look at some of the top resorts and hotels in Cape Town, each offering unique experiences and amenities:
Luxury Hotels and Resorts
Mount Nelson, A Belmond Hotel, Cape Town
A wide, palm-lined driveway leads past lush lawns and flower beds to the grand porticoed entrance. What sets this venerable hotel apart is its distinct sense of place and prime location in the historical heart of the city between Table Mountain and Company’s Gardens. Painted pink since 1918, the ‘Nellie’ is Cape Town’s grande dame dating back to 1899. The entire property has been meticulously restored and updated several times over the years to keep everything looking perfect.
The Mount Nelson holds many trump cards, not least its historic location, unique garden setting, and old-school vibe. But what really sets this venerable hotel apart is its distinct sense of place-a tough act to follow for newer contenders in the luxury arena.
Read also: Ultimate Guide: African Resorts
One&Only Cape Town
Cape Town’s only urban resort, One&Only has a prime Waterfront location next door to the Two Oceans Aquarium and is within strolling distance of the Water Shed, an indoor market filled with must-have local designer brands. Much more of a resort than a hotel, it has space in abundance and everything is dramatically scaled, including the reception lobby leading into Vista Bar and Lounge, the social heart of the hotel where cocktails, high tea, and light meals are served in great style.
Triple-volume glass windows frame views of Table Mountain, and the air is infused with a distinctive woody room fragrance-something you remember instantly as a returning guest. The spa is a destination in its own right, situated on its own island, with 12 treatment rooms, private wet areas, and a yoga pavilion in the garden. Make use of the spa thermal suites, even if you don’t book a spa treatment. His-and-hers hydrotherapy facilities each have a vitality pool, aroma-steam room, sauna, ice fountain and experience showers.
Cape Grace
The Silo Hotel
With 360-degree views that encompass both Table Mountain and the nearby V&A Waterfront, the Silo stands out for its industrial-meets-global collector chic décor, and its ideal location-which also includes sitting atop the buzzy new Zeitz MOCAA, Cape Town’s Museum of Contemporary African Art. Bold artworks from the collection hang in the ground floor entrance and around the hotel; even if you don’t overnight here, you’ll want to stay for a meal at the bar or restaurant in the sixth-floor lobby.
Ellerman House
Built for the shipping magnate Sir John Ellerman in 1906, this is one of the most splendid Edwardian mansions on one of Cape Town’s most beautiful coastal sites, with prime views of the boulder-strewn swimming coves below and of sunsets. In the exclusive Bantry Bay area, Ellerman House has 11 rooms, two suites, two villas, and one-and-a-half-acre hillside gardens, all verdant lawns, waving palm trees, and aromatic Cape fynbos beds.
The staff members treat everyone like a houseguest by pressing clothes, running bubble-baths, delivering antique silver pots of just-picked mint for tea, and advising on the perfect wine. Each individually decorated sea- or mountain-facing bedroom features art belonging to the house’s owner, Paul Harris. He has one of South Africa’s finest private collections, including 19th-century landscapes by Thomas Bowler and contemporary portraits by Gerard Sekoto, which decorates the house and its adjoining gallery.
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The service within its airy, light-filled spa, its amply stocked cellar, and its sunny restaurant is personalized; chefs happily whip up individual favorites, like rich Cape Malay curries and fresh lobster salads, as well as treats that are set out daily in a help-yourself pantry. For families, two more-contemporary villas enable children to splash about in their own pool without disturbing those indulging in a formal English tea on the shaded verandas or lazing on a pool lounger while watching seagulls wheel above the Atlantic. This feels like a gracious grande dame of a hotel-a clubby space that encourages you to slow down and be spoiled.
The Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa
The coastal road between Camps Bay and Llandudno is a conservation area, so it’s undeveloped-just fynbos-covered mountains to one side, and the vast expanse of the Atlantic Ocean to the other. Until you round a curve in the road and catch your first glimpse of the Twelve Apostles, named after the Twelve Apostles mountain range that runs parallel to the coast, that is: Built into the contours of the mountainside, there’s a lot of hotel packed into its relatively small footprint. The rooms are flamboyant, old-school glamour, either facing the sea or the mountains.
The Cellars-Hohenort
Like many of the properties in the residential greenbelt in Constantia, the Cellars-Hohenort is set back from the road-with 10 acres of gardens-the pride and joy of the late Liz McGrath, hotelier and formidable businesswoman. On arrival, the overwhelming impression is of masses of space, immaculate lawns, and mature trees that have been growing for decades, if not centuries. The whitewashed buildings are immaculate, and the staff are waiting in the driveway to welcome you. This is a sophisticated country house hotel set in 10 acres of gardens.
You could call it the best of both worlds-halfway between the city and Waterfront, and the beaches and natural beauty of the southern Peninsula.
Boutique Hotels and Unique Stays
Kensington Place
It’s all about location with a capital-L at this ultra-smart little hotel on the edge of a wooded ravine in swanky Higgovale. Extremely private, behind high walls, yet surrounded by natural beauty-tantalizing glimpses of the sky, Table Mountain or Lion’s Head from every room-yet minutes from the city’s best restaurants, party hotspots, shops and beaches. The courtyard-style walled garden has a small pool, and a number of outdoor relaxation areas with sun loungers or cafe tables and chairs for dining. The air is fragrant with citrus thanks to the well-established lemon orchard.
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In this location with five-star service and designer interiors, you can’t go wrong.
Cape Cadogan Boutique Hotel
This elegant 15-room Georgian-era townhouse is tucked away in a residential street in Gardens, a fashionable, upbeat neighborhood known for its restaurants, bars, and interior design shops. Table Mountain forms a majestic backdrop, Lion’s Head beckons. From the outside, Cape Cadogan looks like a beautiful private home complete with crisp white paintwork, black shutters, manicured garden, and pool terrace. Step inside and you enter a world of Bohemian chic.
It won’t be easy to find a smart room in such a brilliant location, as slickly managed, luxurious, or private at this price anywhere else in Cape Town.
Gorgeous George
No matter what design wizardry unfolds inside Cape Town hotels, the superlative views of Table Mountain always end up stealing the show. But this quirky stay in the heart of the still-rough-around-the-edges Central Business District, gives visitors a fresh perspective. Thanks to its vantage point above the richly textured architecture of the city bowl, the windows look out over neoclassical landmarks, observing gabled Cape Dutch rooftops in conversation with Art Deco towers.
It took six years for the owners to seamlessly renovate an Art Deco structure and its Edwardian neighbor, and given this mishmash of influences, the result is a hotel that could exist nowhere in the world but in the heart of the Mother City. Designer Tristan du Plessis imbued the interiors with a strong “local is lekker” sensibility, to borrow a popular South African catchphrase, which prizes things made close to home. In the lobby this means blue-and-white Delft tiles by Capetonian ceramist Lucie de Moyencourt that map out the neighborhood and South African brands like the plush leather sofas from Artifact (cushiness quotient: high). Gorgeous George lives up to its name- it’s just the kind of clever, design-centric hideaway that the area sorely lacked.
Insider Tip: Ace mixologist Leighton Rathbone carries the local vibes through to the cocktail menu, with drinks using South African brands such as 4th Rabbit agave and fynbos-infused Inverroche gin.
Cape View Clifton
This former beach house, high above Clifton’s famous beaches, has five suites and two self-contained apartments. Think bleached wood, oversized sofas and armchairs in pale linen and cotton, cowrie shell treasure boxes and African beads and tribal sculptures. What you can see from the entrance does not prepare you for what is tucked neatly into five stories below street level. Original owner Jess Latimer transformed what was a family rental property into a chic lodge with a casual beach house aesthetic.
Labotessa
Labotessa has only six guest suites, two on each floor. They're all high ceilinged, generously sized, and elegantly decorated with French oak floors, petrol-blue walls, crisp white bed linens, jewel-toned velvet sofas, antiques, and commissioned art. Blue subway tiles, pale marble, and Diptyque products jazz up the tiny bathrooms. Above the suites is the Governor Suite, a two-story contemporary penthouse with three bedrooms, a large, open-plan kitchen for entertaining, and a plunge pool. From the road, you enter a starkly modern architectural space that opens out into a smart, spacious indoor-outdoor cocktail bar with a lap pool and a sea view.
Toward the back of the hotel is a Zen dining room-a cool, tranquil space to sip on a coffee before stepping out into the glare of a sunny day on the beach. Rooms are decked out with every home comfort imaginable. It's a conveniently located bolthole, set back from the busy Camps Bay beachfront without missing out on the cool vibe and ocean views, especially if you don’t want to hire a car. Everything is within walking distance, and you’re on the bus route into the city and to the Waterfront.
Steenberg Farm - Hotel & Spa
This gem of a small hotel, housed in restored Cape Dutch heritage buildings, dates back to the late 17th-century. Steenberg is the oldest original wine farm in Constantia. Furthermore, it was the first farm in the Cape granted to a woman, Catherina Ras. From the entrance, a road winds up between prized vineyards against a rugged mountain backdrop (Steenberg translates to "stone mountain").
More Quarters Hotel
More Quarters offers the best of both worlds: apartment living with a slate of services and amenities. Suites feel like pied-a-terres, complete with kitchens, dining and lounging areas, and luxuriously appointed bedrooms and bathrooms. Breakfast is served in a plant-filled, botanical-themed space with magazines, newspapers, and a generous buffet of fresh juices, smoothies, and fruits.
But that’s where similarities between the two end. The Radisson is like the cheeky upstart in the swanky Silo precinct. Marketed as millennial friendly, it’s surrounded by aspirational local brands, including design-savvy accessory and fashion labels, and art galleries. The Radisson Red signature red modern facade, with its rounded corners, looks a bit like a giant piece of Lego fell out of the sky. Much like the fun, playground interior with a refreshment station (help yourself to complimentary caramel popcorn, coffee, and freshly squeezed OJ), and row of computers.
Special Offers for Card Members
Consumer, Business, Corporate Platinum Card® Members, and Centurion® Members, as well as Additional Platinum Card Members on Consumer and Business Platinum and Centurion Card Accounts, are eligible for FHR program benefits. Note that Companion Card Members on Consumer Platinum and Centurion Card Accounts, Additional Business Gold and Additional Business Expense Card Members on Business Platinum and Centurion Card Accounts, and Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Card Members are not eligible for FHR program benefits or related special offers.
Special offers are not combinable with other offers unless indicated, including, without limitation, lower rate offers. Bookings must be made using an eligible Card and must be paid using that Card, or another American Express® Card, in the eligible Card Member's name, and that Card Member must be traveling on the itinerary booked.
The average total value of the program benefits is based on prior-year bookings for stays of two nights; the actual value varies. Noon check-in and room upgrade are subject to availability and are provided at check-in; certain room categories are not eligible for upgrade. The type of $100 credit and additional amenity (if applicable) varies by property; the credit will be applied to eligible charges up to the amount of the credit.
To receive the credit, the eligible spend must be charged to your hotel room. The credit will be applied at check-out. Advance reservations are recommended for certain credits. The type and value of the daily breakfast (for two) varies by property; breakfast will be valued at a minimum of US$60 per room per day. To receive the breakfast credit, the breakfast bill must be charged to your hotel room. The breakfast credit will be applied at check-out.
If the cost of Wi-Fi is included in a mandatory property fee, a daily credit of that amount will be applied at check-out. Benefits are applied per room, per stay (with a three-room limit per stay). Back-to-back stays booked by a single Card Member, Card Members staying in the same room or Card Members traveling in the same party within a 24-hour period at the same property are considered one stay and are ineligible for additional FHR benefits (“Prohibited Action”).
American Express and the Property reserve the right to modify or revoke FHR benefits at any time without notice if we or they determine, in our or their sole discretion, that you may have engaged in a Prohibited Action, or have engaged in abuse, misuse, or gaming in connection with your FHR benefits. Benefit restrictions vary by property. Benefits cannot be redeemed for cash and are not combinable with other offers unless indicated. Benefits must be used during the stay booked. Any credits applicable are applied at check-out in USD or the local currency equivalent. Benefits, participating properties, and availability and amenities at those properties are subject to change. To be eligible for FHR program benefits, your eligible Card Account must not be cancelled.
Specific Offer Details
Offer 1:
- Booking Period: 06/20/2025 - 02/28/2026
- Stay Period: Starting on or after 06/20/2025 and ending no later than 03/31/2026
- Minimum Stay: 4 consecutive nights
- Blackout Dates: 12/25/2025, 12/26/2025, 12/27/2025, 12/28/2025, 12/29/2025, 12/30/2025, 12/31/2025
- Valid For: All Fine Hotels + Resorts® room categories
- Repetition: Special offer can be repeated based on the duration of stay
Offer 2:
- Booking Period: 06/22/2025 - 12/01/2025
- Stay Period: Starting on or after 06/22/2025 and ending no later than 12/22/2025
- Minimum Stay: 4 consecutive nights
- Blackout Dates: None
- Valid For: All Fine Hotels + Resorts® room categories
- Repetition: Special offer can be repeated based on the duration of stay
Any complimentary nights will be reflected at the time of booking; applicable taxes and fees for the complimentary nights will be removed at check-out.
For additional information, call the number on the back of your Card.
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