8 Best Hotels in City Centre, Cape Town

Outrageously and wonderfully far from the norm, this centrally located hotel was carved out of a pair of old side-by-side blocks on St George's Mall and made to stand out from the rest with its strong personality, wonderful collection of art, and rooms crafted by sought-after designer Tristan du Plessis. Apart from the make-yourself-at-home atmosphere and the really gorgeous guest rooms (a mix of studios and one- and two-bedroom suites), there are sumptuous lounges, and a bar and rooftop restaurant, as well as a performance-cum-exhibition space that does a great job of making this hotel a popular after-dark venue among hip locals. Events are regularly organized to keep the atmosphere alive and full of verve, and the rooftop pool is one of those secret parts of the city that are worth staying here just for the opportunity to experience.

A fabulous historic building from 1677 has been painstakingly transformed into a hotel with just a handful of suites—all of which are extremely spacious, luxurious, and tranquil—that overlook the hustle and bustle of Church Square below. Although it is inimitably fancy, it's also hard to beat the personalized attention, luxurious linens, and beautiful artwork. Another fancy touch—in lieu of a lobby, the ground floor is a Diptych perfumerie (the only one in the country), so guests must climb the stairs to reach reception before being whisked up to the guest rooms. And, although tucked off to the side, there is a café-style dining room for breakfast and all-day light meals.

Independent travelers with a fondness for quirkiness love this place, which is a step up from sharing a dorm with other backpackers, especially if you don't mind late-night noise and want to be close to after-dark shenanigans (weekends can be seriously loud). Conceived as an ode to Cape Town's creative community, well-known local artists—including poet-author Finuala Dowling and architect André Vorster—were invited to decorate a room to their tastes and the results are fanciful. In the Photo Booth room, a huge portrait behind the bed is made up of 3,240 black-and-white photos of Capetonians, while a colorful room by the erstwhile fusion band Freshlyground has a bright red throw, portraits of the band members, and music. But it's not all about show—the amenities are all in place as well. The linen is crisp and clean, the staff is friendly, and the only real drawback, aside from the noise situation, is the dearth of parking.

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.

With an amazing location in the heart of historic Cape Town, the Taj sits in the grand former headquarters of the South African Reserve Bank and provides the professional and luxurious hospitality that one would expect from this Indian brand. From the eighth floor and higher, you'll enjoy fabulous views of Table Mountain and the city. The general style is a subtle mix of Indian accents and classic European aesthetics, though there's not much to evoke when you currently are apart from the heritage of the building itself.  Rooms are divided into colonial (heritage section) or modern ("the tower") decor, so be sure to state your preference if you have one.

Conveniently linked to the Cape Town International Convention Centre, this huge-yet-sophisticated business hotel still caters to vacationers with features like an excellent spa with killer views, indoor and outdoor pools, and a stop for the water taxi that plies the canals to the V&A Waterfront. The decor is modern minimalist, with a number of features that zoom in on the Westin's signature "6 pillars of well-being" including the legendary Heavenly mattresses, but the best feature is perhaps the views you get, especially from the higher floors. Workstations are cleverly partitioned away from the sleeping area, so even if you have to burn the midnight oil, you can do it in comfort and style. Everything glides and whirls at the touch of a button, and service is seamless. It's a great idea to fork out a bit extra for a room on the dedicated executive floor, which gives you access to a 19th-floor lounge where there's respite, free beverages and snacks, a separate breakfast service, and the most incredible city, mountain, and harbor views (there are few other hotels where you will catch grown-up men making videos of their breakfast room). 

If you're looking for an inner-city accommodation that's well priced and far away from the late-night noise of Long Street but close enough to enjoy the nightlife, the Adderley is for you. Each spacious suite has separate sleeping and lounge areas, as well as a fully equipped kitchen. The beds are outfitted in comfy white linens, and only part of the bathroom is fully enclosed, with basin and tub in the bedroom section, and the shower and toilet behind frosted glass. The downstairs restaurant Bowl serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, but with so many good cafés and restaurants nearby, you should take advantage of their location and explore when not self-catering. During the day you're in the center of the action, but at night it's very quiet.

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.