5 Best Hotels in Cape Peninsula, South Africa

All the spacious rooms at this elegant beach-themed boutique hotel—decor is clean and minimalist in shades of white, sand, and pale blue—have balconies with superb sea views making the most of the fact that you are literally on the beach. The brightly refurbished public areas are marvelously comfortable and enjoy the same gorgeous sea views as the rooms, and the accommodating staff make a point of making this feel like your home away from home. When you're not basking on the sundeck (good for whale-watching during the season, and surfer-watching whenever there are waves), you can explore lovely Kommetjie Beach—over a mile of white sand and wild seas—just beyond your door. Some useful touches include beach baskets at the ready, complimentary minibars and snacks, and good recommendations and helpful advice about the locality and beyond from the manager who has been here for years.

Situated in family-friendly and often extremely busy Noordhoek Farm Village, this moderately comfortable hotel is at the very least a practical option if you're looking for no more than a place to stay along your way. Rooms are functional and unremarkable aside from the fact that four of them are wheelchair-friendly, a rarity across the peninsula. There's plenty to do right on its doorstep, though it frequently turns into a place where large groups congregate for morning drinks, sometimes after cycling events or in preparation for nearby weddings. It also hosts conferences, which can seriously impinge on privacy, peace, and quiet, never mind the dithering service. There's a small pool and a pleasant courtyard with lemon trees.

On Jubilee Square, part of the Simon's Town Waterfront, this centrally located hotel has wonderful views over the bay, the harbor, and the yacht club. Rooms are light and airy, combining lime-washed wood with white walls, touches of silver and gray, and a beachy-clean atmosphere (some rooms are carpeted), though the bathrooms are small; there are a few guest rooms that have mountain views instead of water views.

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.