MY TOP 10 LUXURIOUS AND HISTORIC HOTELS IN CAPE TOWN

Published with interior images in the Wanderlust Magazine (Issue Dec 2022 – Jan 2023). Article contributor Tebogo Pin-Pin. 

Whether you are a solo traveller, a couple, a group, friends, or family looking for a getaway or family holiday and to explore one of the best cities in the African continent, Cape Town will always make up your list of top destinations to visit. Cape Town is gorgeous and that is the reason why it has been voted numerous times as one of the best cities to visit in the world.

Choosing which hotel to stay at in Cape Town is one of the biggest challenges visitors often face because the Mother City is home to some of the most exclusive, opulent, unique, and historic hotels. Cape Town has it all, from hotels with the best locations to those with beautiful luxury furnishings, artifacts, local paintings, sculptures, rare fabrics, authentic antiques, timeless splendour, contemporary luxury, and distinctive architecture that tell stories of the Cape’s colourful past.

I’ve put up a list of my top ten luxurious and historic hotels in Cape Town and the surrounding areas to aid in your decision-making.

1. THE CAPITAL 15 ON ORANGE HOTEL

A stunning urban oasis and a showstopper that stands out for its unique design. The Capital 15 On Orange Hotel is set within Cape Town’s richly historical Company’s Garden and anchored by Table Mountain and Lion’s Head. A combination of distinctive architecture and exquisite luxury furnishings that welcomes you the moment you enter the lobby makes The Capital 15 On Orange one of the unique hotels in Cape Town. The hotel offers a wide range of rooms including one-bedroom and 2-bedroom apartments each with designer furniture, plush carpets, and mood lighting. All rooms and apartments are equipped with a flat-screen TV, DVD player, iPod docking station, oversized bathtubs, and rain showers. The restaurant, bar, pool deck, and some rooms offer spectacular views of the majestic Table Mountain and Signal Hill. The hotel also features conference venues, a stunning Spa, and a fully-equipped gym.

Rooms from R2 550 including breakfast | www.thecapital.co.za/15-on-orange

2. THE SILO HOTEL

The Silo Hotel, Cape Town’s most recognisable five-star luxury hotel, is situated in the Silo District and towers over the well-known V&A Waterfront. The hotel is a celebration of art, style, architecture, and design, and is built in the grain elevator portion of the historic grain silo complex occupying six floors above Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (MOCAA) which houses Africa’s largest collection of contemporary African art. A tribute to timeless glamour and contemporary luxury offering the highest levels of personalised service synonymous with The Royal Portfolio. The hotel has 28 rooms, including a spectacular one-bedroom penthouse. Each room has been individually designed and decorated by the talented hotelier, Liz Biden. The 6-room categories are based on the room size and the views, and each room has a private balcony and a unique collection of contemporary African art.

Rooms from R18 500 | www.theroyalportfolio.com/the-silo/overview

3. CAPE GRACE

Situated on a private quay between V&A Waterfront and the tranquil yacht marina, Cape Grace is a 5-star hotel with an elegant and warm atmosphere, evident in every fine detail, begins at the welcoming reception lounge and extends to the spacious harbour and mountain-facing rooms. Exquisite furniture, artifacts, local paintings, sculptures, rare fabrics, and original antiques have been used to create a unique sense of place in the rooms and to tell stories of the Cape’s colourful past. The Cape Grace restorative Spa offers African-inspired treatments, all thoughtfully created to help you unwind and relax. Each of the 120 rooms, including two luxury penthouse suites, varies in size and appointment. Some rooms have balconies, while others offer a stunning view over V&A Waterfront, but each is en-suite and comes equipped with modern amenities and luxuries designed to enhance your experience. Facilities include the award-winning Signal Restaurant which serves South African cuisine and international dishes made with fresh seasonal ingredients, a bar, a fully-equipped gym, and a heated swimming pool.

Rooms from R5 883 | www.capegrace.com

4. ONE&ONLY CAPE TOWN

Situated near the V&A Waterfront and framed by the towering natural wonder of Table Mountain, One&Only Cape Town is a luxurious hotel with Cape Town’s largest hotel rooms and suites surrounded by mesmerising private waterways that makes you feel like you are on a private island. Spend a day dipping in an outdoor infinity pool, sun basking on a sun-lounger terrace, or enjoying one of the body treatments at the in-house Spa which also offers a sauna. With a restaurant, gym, movie and game lounge, computer area, garden, and a wide range of activities for children including fully-supervised programs, this makes One&Only Cape Town one of the unique hotels that caters for the entire family. The hotel is just a 2km walk from the Cape Town International Convention Centre and 22km from Cape Town International Airport.

Rooms from R7 425 | www.oneandonlyresorts.com/cape-town

5. RADISSON BLU WATERFRONT

Wake up to the sound of gentle ocean waves breaking on the shore before embarking on a day of exploration. Overlooking Cape Town’s famous Robben Island and the Atlantic Ocean, the Radisson Blu Hotel Waterfront offers a variety of contemporary accommodation options to suit your needs. The warm and elegant guest rooms enjoy breathtaking views of the majestic Table Mountain or the Atlantic Ocean. The hotel’s restaurant is just a few steps from the sea, providing a spectacular setting for lunch, dinner a cocktail or simply enjoying an African sunset. Enjoy a fitness session at the state-of-the-art gym or simply spend the day soaking and rejuvenating at the Spa’s indoor vitality pool or outdoor infinity swimming pool.

Rooms from R5 464 including breakfast | www.radissonhotels.com/en-us/hotels/radisson-blu-cape-town-waterfront

6. 12 APOSTLE HOTEL

Majestically located above the Atlantic Ocean, flanked by the magnificent Twelve Apostles Mountain range and Table Mountain National Park, 12 Apostle Hotel is a five-star hotel with close proximity to Camps Bay, Clifton, Table Mountain Cableway, and Cape Town centre. The hotel offers a wide range of luxury boutique hotel rooms, dramatic ocean views, a restaurant, a café grill, a bar, and an award-winning Spa, all delivered with the generous hospitality characteristic of Red Carnation Hotels. Step out onto the flora and fynbos-framed trails to explore the staggeringly beautiful setting and end your day with a spectacular sunset over the Atlantic Ocean.

Rooms from R4 735 Breakfast included | www.12apostleshotel.com

7. BELMOND MOUNT NELSON HOTEL

This iconic pink hotel has been captivating visitors since 1899 and is the beating heart of Cape Town. Nestled between the slopes of Table Mountain and just a stone’s throw from Company Gardens and the vibrant Mother City, Mount Nelson Hotel is a true reflection of relaxation and glamour. This luxurious vintage hotel is an icon of Cape Town and is committed to excellent 5-star quality experience and service. Each of the accommodation wings has its own character and a private garden. Facilities include the Lord Nelson Restaurant, Oasis Bistro that serves local and Mediterranean-inspired cuisine, wellness facilities, a tennis court, and a swimming pool.

Rooms from R11 030 including breakfast | www.belmond.com/hotels/africa/south-africa/cape-town/belmond-mount-nelson-hotel

8. THE TABLE BAY HOTEL

Considered to be the best address in Cape Town, The Table Bay Hotel is a sophisticated 5-star Sun International hotel nestled between the exquisite Table Mountain and the cool Atlantic Ocean. This hotel was opened in May 1997 by former South African president, Nelson Mandela. The rooms unfold a sophisticated world of luxury with unrivalled views of Table Mountain or the Atlantic Ocean. Each air-conditioned room is equipped with a minibar, flat-screen satellite TV, and tea-and-coffee-station.

Camissa brasserie offers locally inspired and sourced gourmet meals while the Atlantic Grill serves daily breakfast and high tea is available in the afternoon. Other facilities include the Camelot Spa which offers a wide variety of spa treatments, holistic care, laser therapy, and a gym.

Rooms from R6 591 including breakfast | www.suninternational.com/table-bay

9. THE WINCHESTER BOUTIQUE HOTEL

The Winchester Hotel is impossible to miss because it stands out with its bold appeal on the edge of the ever-vibrant Sea Point Promenade on Beach Road. This 1920s Cape Dutch-style icon has Table Mountain and Signal Hill as its backdrop and views of the Atlantic Ocean from the restaurant’s terrace. Situated at the Sea Point Promenade facing the Atlantic coastline, this hotel features a pool and an Italian-style courtyard surrounded by palm trees and fountains. With original Cape Dutch décor, all air-conditioned rooms and suites feature sea or mountain views and some face the Italian piazza-style courtyard.

Rooms from R3 051 including breakfast | www.newmarkhotels.com/accommodation/the-winchester-hotel

10. THE BAY HOTEL

Camps Bay’s luxury beachfront escape on the doorstep of the Atlantic Ocean. The Bay Hotel is a luxury beach hotel offering a wide range of spacious rooms with four outdoor pools and views of the Atlantic Ocean and the Twelve Apostles Mountain Range. Enjoy an in-room massage, or visit the Spa for a beauty treatment. The hotel also has a fully-equipped fitness centre and a tennis club with five outdoor courts. With their membership program, guests can enjoy exceptional benefits including access to their stunning co-working space and business facilities, sauna and steam room, and membership to their fabulous Sandy B Private Beach Club.

Rooms from R4 352 | www.thebayhotel.com

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This article may contain affiliate links. I may receive compensation if you make a booking through the links on this blog post but it won’t cost you anything extra.

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