Cape Cadogan
Originally built at the start of the 19th century and 'Victorianised' at the start of the 20th, this stately building in the heart of Cape Town is now home to the stylish Cape Cadogan hotel.
For those looking to be in the trendy and well located hub of the City Bowl area, this boutique guest house is ideal, and each of the twelve bedrooms is decorated with an eclectic mix of contemporary and antique furniture.
There is a comfortable lounge area around an open fire place and outdoors and the small plunge pool is surrounded by a well manicured garden.
Cape Cadogan is a great place from which to explore Cape Town's many attractions, including the beaches at Camps Bay, the iconic Table Mountain, vineyards and the restaurants and bars on nearby Kloof Street.
Why We Love It
The hotel's interior is inspired by Oscar Wilde's bohemian and flamboyant lifestyle, although the management stress that a sudden penchant for pithy remarks is not included.
Four Rosmead
Dating from 1903, Four Rosmead is an elegant boutique hotel in a listed building.
The original fabric of the house has been faithfully restored alongside excellent additional touches such as a salt water swimming pool and a herb garden.
The ten bedrooms are decorated in elegant neutral colours and pretty much every room and bathroom has views over Table Mountain or the picturesque city of Cape Town itself. There is a comfortable sitting room with a roaring fire in winter, and a fine collection of African art adorns the walls.
Why We Love It
Late or early arrivals have access to a well-stocked bathroom where they can freshen up before checking in.
Kensington Place
A one-time 'coolest bolthole in the Cape' according to Tatler magazine and a personal favourite of ours, Kensington Place is an intimate, modern boutique hotel situated in the quiet, leafy suburb of Higgovale, on the slopes of Table Mountain. From here, there are great views over Cape Town and the Atlantic.
There are just eight luxurious suites, each decorated in a contemporary style with original artworks and private balconies, iPod docking stations and laptops. The marble bathrooms have under-floor heating for the winter months. Some of the rooms are on the ground floor and have their own little garden, while those on the first floor have fabulous views but are a bit smaller.
The hotel is surrounded by lush gardens dotted with orange trees and elegantly lit at night by lanterns. There is a plunge pool and a terrace where guests can relax surrounded by billowing swathes of fabric to provide shade while the staff serve impromptu slices of watermelon. Indoors there is a lounge with a fireplace, plus a cocktail bar and dining room.
The concierge can organise massages, sports activities and a variety of day trips including guided walks up Table Mountain, with the hotel's famous all-day breakfast waiting on your return. Speaking of good grub, the trendy bars and restaurants on Kloof Street are a short walk away.
Why We Love It
As soon as your reservation is confirmed, Austin (the wonderful owner), will make a reservation at Cape Town's best restaurant, the Test Kitchen, which books up months in advance. We can always cancel the reservation, but strongly recommend against it!
More Quarters
A sister property to the stylish Cape Cadogan hotel up the road, More Quarters is a collection of apartments (and one villa) with the benefits of access to hotel facilities but the flexibility of self-catering options.
There are 14 one-bedroom apartments decked out in minimalist white and muted earthy tones. For families and groups of friends, there are a further two two-bedroomed apartments and the four-bedroomed Redcliffe House.
All the apartments are located just off the famous Kloof Street, the heart of downtown Cape Town and the perfect place to enjoy the burgeoning South African culinary revolution. Also nearby is Table Mountain itself, Lion's Head and the beautiful beaches of Clifton and Camps Bay.
Why We Love It
The immaculate Redcliffe House belongs to one of the owners of the More Hotel Group, but he is only in residence for three months of the year, so the place is let for the remaining nine months.
Sea Five
Set back from Cape Town's best beach, Camps Bay, Sea Five is - in our humble opinion - the finest of the new hotels in the city.
Sea Five pulls out all the stops to be the slickest place in Town, with elegant lighting throughout, showing off the sculptures and photographs on the walls to full effect, but still retaining the feel of a private house. Every room has been individually styled by the Italian Director Nicolo Pudel with incredibly comfortable beds and private terraces with the garden suites opening out onto a small private garden. The Mountain Suite penthouse master suite has 360 degree views of the mountains and sea.
The garden is full of the smells of mandarin, lemon, lavender and rosemary and there is a large pool and elegant bar. Guests can choose to eat in a number of places,and the excellent menu includes specialities such as fresh pasta and lobster served with organically grown herbs and salads from the garden. Breakfast is served overlooking the pool deck.
Why We Love It
Sea Five is a veritable linen-fest, from the 100% Italian linen sheets to the immaculate lunchtime tablecloths.
Tintswalo Atlantic
This boutique hotel is situated in the Table Mountain National Park, in one of the most breathtaking locations in Southern Africa, perched on the rocks overlooking the ocean and Hout Bay sentinel at the base of the famous Chapman's Peak drive.
Tintswalo Atlantic has ten luxurious suites and the seriously lavish presidential suite. Each suite is themed to reflect a beautiful island in the world (for some reason, Canvey Island didn't quite cut it), all visually translated into silk and linen textures, ocean colours and understated style. The spacious well-appointed en-suite bathrooms have dramatic views of the Atlantic.
The main lodge includes lofty wooden ceilings, glass-encased areas and yet more epic views. The restaurant serves up excellent contemporary African cuisine and guests can watch the action in the open-plan kitchen.
Why We Love It
Tintswalo Atlantic is the only lodge on the Atlantic coast that is built directly on the shore, at the foot of Chapman's Peak.
Cape Grace
A member of the exclusive Leading Hotels of the World, Cape Grace is a boutique luxury hotel in Cape Town, set on its own private quay on the world-famous V&A Waterfront.
The large guest rooms have working harbour or mountain views, the interiors are elegant and understated and the attention to detail throughout is outstanding. The hotel's Signal restaurant offers sophisticated Cape cuisine, set against the backdrop of Table Mountain and with views of the yacht marina and Signal Hill, while the Bascule whisky, wine and cocktail bar on the water's edge has a selection of over 500 whiskies of the world and the finest of Cape wines.
The hotel has an outdoor swimming pool, a spa and fitness centre on the top floor, and a boutique and jewellery shop.
Why We Love It
For anyone wanting to stay in the Waterfront part of Cape Town, the Cape Grace is by far the best option.
The Clarendon Bantry Bay
Tucked away on the peninsula of Bantry Bay, an ocean front suburb in Cape Town, the Clarendon Bantry Bay is a luxurious boutique hotel overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.
The Clarendon Bantry Bay is within walking distance of the famous Clifton beaches, ten minutes from the city centre of Cape Town, as well as the bustling Victoria & Alfred Waterfront. There are just 11 elegant guestrooms and suites, which are all individually decorated in neutral colours, and with plenty of natural light. Superior rooms offer partial or full ocean views, whilst Superior Suites include one or two bedrooms, full ocean views, and private patios.
Breakfast is served on the deck each morning, and lunch can also be prepared for guests, upon request. There hotel also boasts a swimming pool in the private garden, with sea views. All in all, The Clarendon Bantry Bay offers the perfect balance of private retreat, whilst still being within easy reach of central Cape Town.
Why We Love It
The hotel sits on one of Cape Town's more sheltered bays, and so there's much less wind here than along other parts of the Cape Town coastline.
The Clarendon Fresnaye
Offering stunning views of the indigo ocean from its location on the slopes of Lions Head, The Clarendon Fresnaye is an exclusive boutique hotel in the suburb of Fresnaye.
There are just a handful of guestrooms at the Clarendon Fresnaye, with views of the gardens, ocean, or towering mountain backdrop. All guestrooms are spacious, and individually designed, with a light, bright colour palette. There's a real home away from home feeling here, with the addition of the amenities that you'd expect to find in a luxury hotel. All guestrooms have a full ensuite bathroom with separate bath and shower, and Family Suites have an interconnecting twin bedroom for the children.
Breakfast is served in the dining room, overlooking the lush gardens and swimming pools. Lunch and dinner can also be provided with prior arrangement, but with so many world class restaurants within easy reach, you'll find yourselves spoilt for choice. The Clarendon Fresnaye is a great option for couples and families, looking for a peaceful base whilst remaining within a stone's throw of interesting sites including the V & A Waterfront, Table Mountain, Clifton beaches and the city centre.
Why We Love It
A superb boutique hotel in the city, which was once owned by both the Governor of The Cape, and the Earl of Clarendon.
The Silo
Occupying a prime spot along the V&A Waterfront, the Silo is one of the most exciting new hotel openings Cape Town has seen in recent years.
The Silo takes its name from its architectural home; this luxurious hotel has been built within the grain lift of the waterfront's historic grain silo complex. Even better, the hotel rooms are perched six floors above what is to become the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa - Cape Town's answer to The Tate, or MoMa NYC.
There are 28 guestrooms within The Silo, including the spectacular one bedroom penthouse which overlooks the entire city and the inimitible Table Mountain. Guestrooms and Suites overlook either the harbour or the city and mountains behind, and all have been individually designed and decorated by Liz Biden, the design force behind equally beautiful Birkenhead House in Hermanus.
While the location, style and views are reason enough to stay at The Silo, additional facilities at the hotel include a spa, rooftop bar (the perfect spot for a sunset champagne), glass walled rooftop swimming pool and a gym.
Why We Love It
Every guestroom is individually designed, with unique furnishings and artworks.