3 Best Hotels in Gardens, Tamboerskloof, and Oranjezicht, Cape Town

A gorgeous repurposing of side-by-side Georgian and Victorian houses has resulted in one of Cape Town's best-located and best-run boutique hotels. A real oasis in the city, the property dates back to the early 19th century, and boasts a style that successfully blends contemporary sophistication and polish with antique furnishings. The handsome public areas—a library, lounge with a wood-burning fireplace, and patio with a pool—are great places to relax, and the staff is incredibly obliging and able to arrange just about anything you need. Located just off hip-and-happening Kloof Street, the hotel is within walking distance of numerous cafés and restaurants and its sister establishment, More Quarters.

You won't find over-the-top opulence at Kensington Place, but you will experience a sense of restrained style and tranquil sophistication that permeates every nook and cranny of this guesthouse oasis in Higgovale (among Cape Town's most sought-after residential neighborhoods). Built on a seemingly impossible wedge of real estate and surrounded by a beautiful garden, inside you'll find a gracious lounge, shelves lined with books, a collection of fine South African art, just-right lounge music, pockets of privacy, great comfort, and attentive concierge services from hands-on managers. Suites—refined, spacious, and thoughtfully designed—are all equipped with king-sized beds, a patio or terrace, underfloor heating, and extras like a bluetooth speaker, yoga mat, and beach-ready bag.

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).