11 Best Hotels in Cape Town, South Africa

Built around a verdant courtyard shaded by pomegranate, guava, and avocado trees, the five gorgeous rooms and two self-catering cottages at this centrally located and good-value hotel are all Gallic-charm-meets-South-African-vintage-hipster: think hand-embroidered bed linens, badminton paddles repurposed as mirrors, and art deco light fittings. A lovely lounge space that acts as reception, breakfast room in winter, and tango room on occasion (the owners are enthusiasts), is a warm and stylish place to meet fellow guests (as is the magical garden in summer). The cottages (two and three bedrooms respectively) come with full kitchens and private lounges and offer a touch more privacy and extra space for families or small groups. With dozens of restaurants and cafés within nearby walking distance, this is a super-convenient and welcoming oasis of style.

This great-value guesthouse in an appealing shade of cinnamon terra cotta is in a quiet neighborhood that is still within walking distance of many attractions and restaurants. The two standard rooms in this Victorian-era house are a bit small, but they are neat and very comfortable for the price; the so-called "deluxe" rooms have a bit more space. All the beds are extra long, and rooms have air-conditioning. There's a common lounge upstairs with an honor bar and a lovely sun deck with a mountain view.

Utterly out of place between the tall apartment blocks, this squat mustard-colored guesthouse has great-for-their-price accommodations that are spic-n-span, cheerfully decorated, comfortable, reasonably spacious (and some very large), and several with views of the sea (which is directly across the street). Don't expect lavish service or a host of amenities, but rest assured that you'll be in good hands, and will also be saving a bundle by being here rather than at the V&A Waterfront which is a few minutes away. If you enjoy walking along the seafront, you also have Mouille Point's promenade, which segues into the Sea Point Promenade, directly in front of you. Do note that Mouille Point's lighthouse includes a foghorn that sounds—loudly and persistently—during certain weather events; there is nothing to be done about it, but if it's likely to mar your stay, rather head farther from this coastal strip.

This good-value hotel enjoys a great location between Mouille Point's seafront promenade and Green Point Park, and it's also just a 15-minute walk from the V&A Waterfront. The comfortable, well-proportioned, and cleanly designed rooms are bright and airy—mostly white with splashes of primary colors and a bit of a vintage-retro feel (with Ben Sherman toiletries)—ask for a sea- or mountain-facing room, either of which will have great views (they're better the higher you go). The downstairs restaurant Sotano serves tasty Mediterranean food and is an ideal spot for sunset-hour cocktails—many Capetonians who gather here often agree. Do keep in mind that the hotel is virtually across the street from Mouille Point's famous (and infamous) lighthouse, which is installed with a loud foghorn that, during weather events (mist, fog, or low visibility), can drone on all night, hampering sleep.

The upper floors of a beautifully restored Victorian building on trendy Long Street house this incredibly good-value boutique hotel made up of a dozen rooms including one- and two-bedroom suites. Chic design—all elegant white-and-silver minimalism—retains warmth thanks to the historic setting. Several rooms have freestanding Victorian bathtubs, five enjoy private balconies, and double-glazed windows help to soundproof your sleep from the buzz of Long Street's sometimes overwhelming nightlife below. The hotel has good amenities (free Wi-Fi, Nespresso coffee machines, ceiling fans, and air-conditioning) for the price, and they're maintained to a rather luxurious standard. Service, too, is surprisingly attentive and knowledgeable.

Tucked between the warehouses and industrial buildings on reclaimed land that was once in the sea, the building—remains of Cape Town’s earliest recorded foundry that dates back to 1876—has been cleverly converted into a slick, chic arrangement of 24 unique rooms with a boutique atmosphere. Despite the minimalist approach to amenities, there's access to a café, members’ lounge, and an in-house gym, and rooms that achieve a balance of functionality and good looks and are decked out with quirky artwork, vintage and antique pieces, and more contemporary elements. It’s also digitally enhanced, so you can handle much of your stay using the in-house app which doubles as a digital concierge and even allows you to order meals and pay for them using your phone.

Housed in an old British prison, which explains the no-nonsense building layout, this back-to-basic business hotel is functional and comfortable, if without any mind-blowing design or spellbinding amenities. Its biggest advantage is the location, a short walk up from the V&A Waterfront, and almost as close to Green Point's restaurant hub. Whereas traffic within the Waterfront itself can be a little daunting, being here you're better able to get in and away without contending with millions of shoppers.

Located on the edge of the city center, this large hotel is good for travelers keen to mix a bit of partying and socializing into their stay at a reasonable price. It's within walking distance of quite a few bars and nightclubs, but also has a bit of an "atmosphere" within its own walls, too—public areas are open and bright, including a large lounge area that turns into a bar (complete with DJs) as day turns to evening. Although rooms are small, you're getting plenty of pretty cool facilities at three-star rates (opt for a "Larger Room," preferably with a balcony and/or Table Mountain view, for considerably more space).

This owner-managed boutique hotel in the colorful and very central Bo-Kaap neighborhood offers spacious and comfortable suites with a surprising number of amenities and a very high level of comfort and personalization—think espresso makers, slippers and robes, and superfast Wi-Fi—that seems almost impossible for the price. The decor, which is a mash-up of Asian faux antiques, African beadwork, and wrought-iron candelabras, warms up the polished concrete interiors and gives the place a lot of character. The overall comfort and space, hands-on service from the friendly owners (they dish out fabulous recommendations), plus its proximity to numerous key attractions are why you are here. Six of the nine suites conveniently come with small kitchenettes, although with all the great dining options nearby, you’re unlikely to need them.

Occupying an entire city block in the heart of Cape Town, this mixed-use complex consists of apartments, offices, retail space, and a Three Cities hotel comprised of several buildings. The Tower is the most contemporary and spacious with two-bedroom apartments, while the Fairbairn has an art-deco bent, and the Kendall benefits from wood flooring and inlaid stone work. An excellent location from which to explore by day, the area can feel eerily quiet at night. Doppio Zero on the ground floor is the complex's Italian family-dining franchise. For views of Table Mountain and the Harbor, book as high in the Tower as possible. Rooms in the Winery tend to be noisier, as the reception area is directly beneath.

On a quiet street in leafy Oranjezicht, this midsize boutique hotel has spacious, contemporary rooms laid out on two floors around a lovely courtyard in a beautifully restored old building. Amenities include high-quality linens and robes, great bath products (a designer biodegradable line), free off-street parking, and a local mobile phone for your use. Public spaces are somewhat limited, with the breakfast room–cum-bar on the small side, but there is a nice if small pool and outdoor area with an exercise bike and elliptical machine tucked in a corner. The best public feature is probably the roof deck area with stunning views of Table Mountain and the city, though in summer the wind may keep you downstairs.