Choosing where to stay can easily be one of the toughest (and most exciting) parts of planning a trip to Cape Town. From iconic luxury addresses around the V&A Waterfront to intimate boutique hideaways tucked into leafy neighborhoods, the city offers something for every kind of traveler. First-time visitors often gravitate toward world-class names like Mount Nelson or Cape Grace, while seasoned travelers lean into smaller boltholes and private villas that reveal a more local, lived-in side of the city—think morning coffees at neighborhood cafés, quiet beaches, and a slower rhythm of life.
This carefully curated guide to the best hotels in Cape Town South Africa balances both worlds, spotlighting standout luxury, design-led boutique stays, and exclusive retreats known for privacy and character. Whether it’s a landmark hotel or a discreet gem, these selections represent the best hotels in Cape Town South Africa, chosen for quality, location, service, and genuine guest experience—so booking confidently comes easy.
Also Read – Best Time to Visit Cape Town: A Seasonal 2025 Guide for Travelers
1. The Silo Hotel
Perched high above the V&A Waterfront, The Silo Hotel is one of those places that instantly makes an impression—and keeps it. Floor-to-ceiling pillowed windows frame jaw-dropping views of Table Mountain, the harbour, and the city, while the interiors strike a confident balance between industrial edge and refined, collector-style luxury.
Sitting directly above the Zeitz MOCAA, the hotel feels deeply connected to Cape Town’s creative energy, with striking contemporary art woven throughout the space. Even if staying elsewhere, the sixth-floor lobby bar and restaurant are worth a visit for the atmosphere alone. For travelers drawn to bold design, exceptional service, and a truly iconic setting, it easily earns its place among the best hotels in Cape Town South Africa.
2. Cape Cadogan Boutique Hotel
Cape Cadogan Boutique Hotel is an elegant 15-room Georgian-era townhouse tucked away on a quiet residential street in Gardens, one of Cape Town’s most vibrant neighbourhoods for dining, design, and nightlife. With Table Mountain rising behind it and Lion’s Head close by, the location feels both central and serene. From the outside, it resembles a refined private home, complete with crisp white façades and a manicured garden, while inside it delivers relaxed Bohemian chic and discreet luxury. For value, privacy, and style, it remains one of the best hotels in Cape Town South Africa.
3. Kensington Place
Kensington Place is an ultra-smart boutique hotel set on the edge of a wooded ravine in the exclusive suburb of Higgovale, where privacy and location come together effortlessly. Hidden behind high walls, the property feels wonderfully secluded, yet every room offers tantalising views of the sky, Table Mountain, or Lion’s Head.
A peaceful courtyard garden with a small pool, sun loungers, and relaxed outdoor dining areas adds to the calm, with the scent of citrus drifting through from the lemon orchard. Just minutes from top restaurants, beaches, and nightlife, it earns its reputation among the best hotels in Cape Town South Africa.
4. The Cellars-Hohenort
The Cellars-Hohenort is a refined country house hotel set within 10 acres of beautifully maintained gardens in Constantia’s leafy greenbelt. Tucked well back from the road, the property immediately impresses with its sense of space, immaculate lawns, and mature trees that lend a timeless, almost estate-like atmosphere. Whitewashed buildings are pristine, and the warm welcome on arrival sets the tone for a quietly luxurious stay. Balancing city access with the calm of the southern Peninsula, it offers the best of both worlds—making it a serene yet well-connected choice among the best hotels in Cape Town South Africa.
5. Ellerman House
Ellerman House is a magnificent Edwardian mansion overlooking the Atlantic from one of Cape Town’s most exclusive coastal addresses in Bantry Bay. Built in 1906 for shipping magnate Sir John Ellerman, the property is frequently referenced in discussions around the best hotels in Cape Town South Africa, thanks to its rare blend of historic grandeur, deeply personal service, and residential intimacy.
With just 11 rooms, two suites, and contemporary villas set within lush hillside gardens, the atmosphere feels more like a private estate than a hotel. Museum-quality South African art, thoughtful hospitality, and an unhurried pace encourage guests to slow down and truly settle in.
6. Gorgeous George
Gorgeous George offers a refreshingly different take on a city stay, set in the heart of Cape Town’s evolving Central Business District. While Table Mountain always commands attention, this design-forward hotel shifts the focus to the layered architecture of the city bowl, with views that frame Cape Dutch rooftops alongside neoclassical facades and Art Deco towers.
Often discussed when travelers talk about the best hotels in Cape Town South Africa, the property is the result of a meticulous six-year restoration that unites an Art Deco building with its Edwardian neighbor. Interiors by Tristan du Plessis celebrate a proudly local sensibility, from handcrafted tiles to South African-made furnishings. The rooftop bar adds to the appeal, with inventive cocktails rooted in regional ingredients. Rates start from $150 per night, making it a standout for style-driven travelers.
7. The Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa
The Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa occupies one of Cape Town’s most dramatic coastal settings, along the protected stretch of road between Camps Bay and Llandudno where fynbos-covered mountains meet the Atlantic Ocean. The sense of isolation heightens the impact when the hotel suddenly appears, built directly into the curves of the mountainside and named after the Twelve Apostles range running parallel to the coast.
Frequently included in conversations about the best hotels in Cape Town South Africa, the property delivers a distinctive blend of scenery and character. Interiors embrace flamboyant, old-school glamour, with rooms facing either the crashing ocean or the rugged mountain backdrop, creating a stay that feels both theatrical and deeply connected to the landscape.
8. Mount Nelson, A Belmond Hotel
Mount Nelson, A Belmond Hotel, Cape Town is one of the city’s most recognisable landmarks, approached via a palm-lined driveway that winds through manicured lawns and vibrant gardens. Set in the historic heart of the city between Table Mountain and Company’s Gardens, the pink-painted “Nellie” has been welcoming guests since 1899 and has worn its signature colour proudly since 1918.
Long regarded as a benchmark for gracious hospitality and timeless elegance, it naturally features among the best hotels in Cape Town South Africa without relying on trend-driven appeal. Meticulously restored over the years, the hotel blends old-school charm with modern comfort, offering a strong sense of place that newer luxury properties often struggle to replicate.
9. Labotessa
Labotessa is an intimate, design-led townhouse hotel offering just six beautifully appointed guest suites, with two suites per floor, each defined by high ceilings, generous proportions, and refined detailing. Interiors blend French oak floors, petrol-blue walls, crisp white linens, jewel-toned velvet sofas, antiques, and commissioned artworks, creating a quietly luxurious atmosphere. Bathrooms, though compact, feel indulgent thanks to marble finishes, blue subway tiles, and Diptyque amenities.
Often included among the best hotels in Cape Town South Africa, Labotessa also features the striking Governor Suite—a two-storey penthouse with three bedrooms, an open-plan kitchen, and a private plunge pool. Its historic square setting and townhouse architecture lend a distinctly European feel, elevated by Cape Town’s sunshine.
10. Pod Camps Bay
Pod Camps Bay is a stylish, eco-conscious boutique hotel tucked just off the main strip of Camps Bay beachfront, offering a smart balance between privacy and prime location. With only 17 rooms, the atmosphere is relaxed yet polished, shaped by modern architecture and thoughtful green design features such as its own water supply.
Inside, a sleek indoor–outdoor cocktail bar opens onto a lap pool with sea views, while a calm, Zen-like dining space provides a quiet start to the day. Frequently counted among the best hotels in Cape Town South Africa, Pod appeals to travelers who want contemporary comfort, walkable access to the beach, and easy transport links to the city and Waterfront—without the need for a car.
11. Radisson Red Hotel, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town
Radisson Red brings a playful, design-driven energy to the V&A Waterfront, just steps from the Zeitz MOCAA and surrounded by galleries, fashion studios, and creative local brands. While it shares a prime location with more formal neighbors, its personality is deliberately lighter—bold architecture, a curved red façade, and interiors that feel more like a social hub than a traditional hotel.
Often appearing in discussions about the best hotels in Cape Town South Africa for younger, style-conscious travelers, it delivers a relaxed stay with communal spaces, sea-facing views, and a refreshingly informal approach that suits the creative pulse of the precinct.
12. One&Only Cape Town
Set directly on the Waterfront, One&Only Cape Town is the city’s only true urban resort, offering generous space, dramatic design, and a strong sense of occasion. Everything here is scaled for impact, from the soaring glass-framed lobby with Table Mountain views to Vista Bar and Lounge, the hotel’s social heart. Frequently associated with the best hotels in Cape Town South Africa, the experience is elevated further by a destination spa set on its own island, complete with hydrotherapy suites, private wet areas, and a serene yoga pavilion—making it a refined escape within the city itself.
