7 Best Hotels in Cape Peninsula, South Africa

This surprisingly stylish and great-value guesthouse is within walking distance of all the culinary treasures and bohemian pleasures for which charming Kalk Bay is known—its harbor is nearby, too. Located in a grand old house overlooking the bay, its bright and handsomely decorated rooms feature a contemporary beach-chic style, and most have sea views. Comfortable and stylish public areas include a glassed-in sunroom, meeting room, lovely outdoor terrace, pool and garden, and a small bar. Those planning on a longer stay may want to inquire about the self-catering apartment across the street.

This magically situated, architecturally innovative, self-catering house with automatic frameless glass doors and integrated shutters is a sophisticated option for a family or two couples traveling together. There are ample indoor and outdoor lounging areas, greenery everywhere, and walkways between the trees, which convey a sense of being in a treehouse, albeit a very chic, very grown-up one with floor-to-ceiling glass walls, wood-burning fireplaces, alfresco shower, and a splash pool with loungers. The fully equipped kitchen is decked out with Smeg appliances, and there are a few useful if perhaps unnecessary distractions, such as a TV and Wi-Fi.

Close to the beach, enfolded by mountains, and surrounded by horse farms and lush green space, this collection of self-catering cottages tucked beneath ancient oaks offers a proper countryside atmosphere. The rooms are extravagantly large and the homey atmosphere is well-suited to the countrified setting. There's a good little spa on the premises, and the location is ideal if you want to escape the town's busier locations (like Noordhoek Farm Village and Cape Point Vineyards). You can opt for a rate that includes breakfast or choose self-catering (the latter's a good idea given how many nearby places there are that serve fabulous breakfasts).

For a luxurious seaside stay, a room in this casually elegant guesthouse will likely transport you to a bygone era. It's full of historical charm, complete with heyday colonial architecture, original woodwork, genuine antiques, Persian carpets, and floral fabrics. The six guest rooms have a strong touch of old-world glamor, plus there's a sheltered pool and tanning deck, a sunroom, dining room, library, bar, and lounge with a fireplace.

This superb boutique guesthouse—a pair of conjoined seaside villas—puts you right in the heart of the penguin action, and you're just a short walk from Seaforth Beach and Boulders Beach. No ordinary beachside bed-and-breakfast, it comes with every imaginable luxury, including scrumptious beds in individually styled, comfortably laid out, and generously proportioned sleeping quarters. There’s an intimate rooftop terrace with a heated plunge pool and endless views. Downstairs, a variety of lounges, terraces, nooks, huge picture windows facing the sea, and quiet garden spaces provide opportunities for quiet reflection, and there's an in-house chef who whips up lunches and dinners on request and prepares a mean breakfast; at mealtimes, tables are set up in different parts of the villa, perhaps with a full-on sea view one morning, and in a quiet nook the next. You might see whales breaching and hundreds of dolphins swimming by at any moment. When you're done for the day (or maybe done listening to the braying sound of penguins), soundproof and light-blocking shutters come down completely to cut out the outside world so you get the most amazing night's sleep.

Situated in the heart of Hout Bay's shops and restaurants, this classic Cape Dutch edifice decorated in a playful funky African style has been a working hotel since 1871. The 16 rooms are airy and light, successfully melding elegant antiques, modern comforts, and African fabrics and beadwork. Wooden floors, dazzling chandeliers, and free-standing baths in some rooms complete the picture. The bright and creative design aesthetic extends to the hotel's public spaces, including a stylish bar (serving a tapas menu till the wee hours), and a lovely (if dark) lounge area with a cozy fireplace. A spa, pleasant courtyard under ancient oak trees sitting next to a small pool, and two restaurants are all on offer. Just a few minutes' walk from Hout Bay's buzziest restaurant and shopping area (and a popular weekly outdoor market), the hotel also sits next to walking trails up the mountain, and is just a few kilometers from the beginning of Chapman's Peak Drive.

This secluded and charming resort on the peninsula is great for families, as well as popular for small conferences and events. Thatched-roof log cottages sit in an indigenous milkwood forest overlooking a nature reserve and the white sands of Noordhoek Beach. Options include suites or self-catering cottages with either two or three bedrooms, and fully equipped kitchens. Most cottages also have large balconies, many with sea views. All accommodations share a rustic log-cabin aesthetic and are attractive and tidy with cottage-style furniture. Some have fireplaces and pretty Victorian bathrooms. An on-site restaurant serves three meals a day and is popular with locals for Sunday lunch. Children's programs for all ages can be arranged on request.