Top Hotels in Cape Town

From cosy and inviting to art institutes in their own right, these Cape Town hotels are worth noting.

Mount Nelson, A Belmond Hotel

Opened in 1899 by Sir Donald Curry to accommodate his first-class Union Castle Line passengers, this is the grande dame of Cape Town, where regulars meet for drinks and celebrate special milestones over high tea. You don’t have to leave the grounds to feel part of the city, and why would you? A nine-acre oasis located directly opposite the Company’s Garden, where the city literally took root, you can spend the day lolling about on manicured lawns, dipping into a deliciously heated pool, gazing at flowerbeds and pink walls punctuated with white-trellised balconies and grey shutters. Inside, elegant antiques contrast with punchy contemporary art, pretty wallpapers, and plenty of plants, all complemented by the tinkling of a pianist, adding to the nostalgic and romantic atmosphere.

It’s a fairly large hotel with 198 rooms spread across an array of buildings, best of which are in the original West and East Wing. Service is excellent, and bespoke experiences range from snorkelling in kelp forests with a marine biologist to exploring the Constantia winelands on a private jeep trail. There are several in-house dining options worth highlighting, but the hotel also enjoys direct access to Kloof street, which is lined with restaurants and bars.

Ellerman House

Shipping magnate Sir John Ellerman built this gracious Edwardian mansion on terraced gardens in the cliffside suburb of Bantry Bay, providing a lofty vantage of ships approaching the harbour. Views aside, the house is a repository of the country’s largest private collection of South African art—every wall, even the bathrooms, features covetable work. An art tour with a specialist guide offers fascinating insights into South African history. Works date back to the early 18th century and include an impressive contemporary collection housed in a gallery carved into rock below the manicured gardens. Moreover, Ellerman also houses one of the finest collections of South African wine in a purpose-built cellar where daily tastings are held. As a property not open to the public, admission is strictly controlled, enhancing its exclusivity.

Camissa House

Located high up on the slopes of Table Mountain, Camissa meaning ‘place of sweet waters’, is in the sought-after residential suburb of Oranjezicht, complete with spectacular city and mountain views, and direct access to Table Mountain National Park. With only eight rooms, this intimate hotel embodies a welcoming atmosphere, complete with generous inclusions and an open-plan kitchen, where breakfast is served in an inviting space. A cosy lounge-bar that opens onto furnished decks overlooking the pool ensures all guests feel pampered.

POD Camps Bay

A Cape Town hotel round-up wouldn’t be complete without a Camps Bay option, and POD is a prime pick, not least for its location—a short walk from the popular restaurants and bars on Victoria Road with views of its palm-lined beach. The hotel’s design is a clean-lined modernist aesthetic, softened with timber detailing, essential for those seeking style. Great amenities are available even in the smallest rooms, including a well-stocked minibar, with breakfast as the only meal prepared on-site.

Cape Cadogan

With its gracious Georgian façade and double-storey Victorian-style neighbours, Cape Cadogan serves as a perfect base for exploring Kloof Street’s buzzing bars and restaurants. It offers 19 uniquely styled rooms, each with a monochromatic palate accented by emerald greens and gold. Facilities include a spa, gym, two plunge pools, along with high tea and evening canapés in an elegant lounge.

Compass House

If a day spent gazing at a horizon filled edge to edge in blues is your idea of bliss, Compass House fulfills that vision. Acclaimed for its elevated position high on the slopes of wind-free Bantry Bay, this hotel boasts a modern design with a relaxed atmosphere. Nine spacious rooms feature awe-inspiring views and direct access to a sun deck overlooking a 20m infinity pool.

Cape Grace

The classiest five-star hotel in the Waterfront is back on form with enviable views of Table Mountain and the marina. New owner AccorHotels has rejuvenated the interiors, creating inviting new spaces like the Library Lounge. Bedrooms are now cool, uncluttered, and plush in finish. With a reputation for personal service, the reimagined hotel appeals to those seeking a refined experience.

The Silo Hotel

The Silo Hotel towers above the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (MOCAA) with expansive city views. Part of the repurposing of a 1920s industrial grain silo, it features opulently flamboyant interiors and a fine collection of contemporary art. Newly renovated for 2024, this luxury hotel delights with its superb dining options and curated wine lists.

Dorp Hotel

Dorp, translating to ‘small village’, offers some of the best views in Cape Town from the top of Signal Hill. With unique rooms and inviting spaces designed thoughtfully to reflect history and charm, this hotel provides an Instagram-worthy backdrop with plenty of quirks. The magical bird-filled garden adds an enchanting touch.

Labotessa

For those seeking sophistication, Labotessa offers apartment-like suites with grand windows framing the city’s oldest heritage sites. Co-owner and founder Johan du Plessis renovated this 17th-century building, injecting refined European sensibility into Church Square. Luxurious amenities and attentive service create a memorable experience, ideally located for guests to explore local attractions.