11 of The Best Waterfront Hotels in Cape Town

While technically still a working harbour, that's not what draws people to Cape Town's V&A Waterfront. The area is actually renowned for its retail, from high-end stores to local boutiques, plus there's an excellent choice of restaurants and bars. With Table Mountain dominating the background - this is an unsurprisingly sought after destination. But in addition to the V&A area, we've found other beachside neighbourhoods, and a base in one of these will really allow you to have a best of both worlds holiday: beach and city combined! Our hotel experts have scoured the city to bring you the best waterfront hotels in Cape Town. From all-out luxury to charming family-run boutiques, there's something to suit almost any taste or budget.

For luxury

• One & Only Cape Town is the ultimate urban resort with an enormous pool, award-winning spa and fantastic views of the iconic Table Mountain. Boasting three gourmet restaurants and mere steps from the hip V&A Waterfront's shops and bars.
• The Silo is a former grain silo, this 28-bedroom hotel, is located on Cape Town's bustling Waterfront. The city's most hotly anticipated hotel it is a haven for the arts and 21st-century luxury. Each of its bedrooms is the height of lavish decor with bathrooms worthy of a ballroom.

For a couples' escape

• The Twelve Apostles is a classic hotel that boasts spectacular coastal and mountain views and easy access to the beaches at Camps Bay. With an award winning restaurant and spa, candlelit dinners, this it is the perfect spot for a little romance!
• Compass House Boutique Hotel is a luxury hotel situated just minutes from the beach in the dramatic Bantry Bay area. Swish rooms are all white on white style with unbeatable sea views. Exclusive, tranquil and adult only - the ideal spot for two.
• Cape Grace is a beautiful hotel in the centre of Cape Town’s vibrant V&A Waterfront. With excellent service, sumptuous classic interiors, a great restaurant, trendy bar and its own spa, this is the perfect destination for a romantic break.

For a chic boutique

• The Marly has eleven chic rooms located along Camps Bay's promenade. The design is decadent and bedrooms offer wonderful sea views from their private balconies. With an excellent Japanese restaurant and an achingly cool roof terrace that features a pool and a bar, this is a hip stay.
• The small Hotel on the Promenade is set in an old colonial building, in the Sea Point neighbourhood, just round the headland from the V&A Waterfront. The seven rooms are simply styled and feature plenty of mod cons including a Macbook. With a trendy bar, this is a chic city crashpad.

For a traditional stay

• Winchester Mansions is a historic hotel occupying a grand position along Sea Point promenade. Behind its traditional white Cape Dutch facade the hotel houses classic interiors with large rooms, both sea and mountain facing. Choose between fine dining at Harvey's or relax at the Gingko spa, plus there's live jazz on Sundays.

For contemporary style

• La Splendida is chic, modern, and well-priced - right in the heart of thriving Green Point. Light filled rooms boast sea views from the large floor-to-ceiling windows and cool quirky interiors. Complete with an excellent Mediterranean restaurant, this is a stylish stay.

For great value

• Dolphin Inn is a charming guest house located in central Mouille Point. Interiors are homely yet chic and the best have kitchenettes. A great value city pad, well situated for exploring Cape Town.

For the location

• The Victoria & Alfred Hotel is situated right on the V&A Waterfront so you can sit out on your balcony and watch the boats come and go. The interiors are sleek and contemporary and there's an al fresco restaurant and bar.

Still not sure which to book?

• Browse through all our Cape Towm hotel recommendations.
• Expand your search to include Franschhoek or the whole of the Western Cape.
• Alternatively, you can contact one of our friendly Gurus for advice.

  • The Twelve Apostles Hotel Cape Town (Camps Bay) 70 rooms from AU$633

    
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    Families  -  Children are welcome here with pool toys, special menus and excellent family accommodation

    Spa  -  In addition to the wide range of treatments you'll find hot & cold plunge pools, and a saltwater flotation pool!

    Diving  -  Explore the Two Oceans or if you are feeling brave experience a shark dive.

    Surfing  -  Muizenberg Beach is considered one of the best surf spots in the world.

    

    This classic and comfortable hotel is all about location with terrific sea and mountain views. Hourly shuttles mean it’s also well placed for the beaches at Camps Bay and the V&A Waterfront. See More

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  • The Marly Cape Town (Camps Bay,) 11 rooms from AU$436

    
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    Local exploring  -  Excellently located, overlooking one of The Cape's best beaches

    City Style  -  Uber stylish interiors in a very trendy part of town

    Great walks  -  Along the surrounding endless beaches, or up The Pipe Trail, in the Table Mountain National Park

    Sights nearby  -  Catch a show at Theatre On The Bay, moments from the hotel

    

    Located along Camp's Bay's promenade, with the trendiest rooftop bar, The Marly is popular with guests and locals. Choose from mountain or sea facing views: all are an excellent size, with lavish bathrooms and private balconies. Excellent breakfast included plus gourmet Japanese dining at Umi. See More

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  • Compass House Boutique Hotel Cape Town (Bantry Bay,) 8 rooms from AU$528

    
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    Local exploring  -  Perfectly positioned just steps from the Atlantic and less than 10 minutes from the centre of town

    Romantic Break  -  Exclusive, tranquil and adult only - the ideal spot for two

    Sights nearby  -  The Waterfront, just a short drive away, is a hub of activity and Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens are well worth a visit

    Designer  -  Much of the furniture has been custom-designed for each room

    

    A luxury boutique hotel situated just minutes from the beach in the dramatic Bantry Bay area. Swish rooms are all white on white style with unbeatable sea views. Plump for a suite and benefit from the particularly indulgent bathrooms. Get pampered in the spa and easy enjoy easy access to the city. See More

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  • Hotel On The Promenade Cape Town 7 rooms from AU$224

    
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    Local exploring  -  Excellently located, you're walking distance from bars, restaurants, and excellent beaches

    Great walks  -  Along The Promenade, Clifton, Queens, and the surrounding beaches

    Local markets  -  The Cape Quarters Saturday Market is a lively morning activity

    Seaside  -  Ideal for a seaside holiday.

    

    Housed in a colonial-style building, 50m from the Atlantic Ocean, the interiors of this hotel are much more modern. Rooms include Macbook computers, blue tooth speakers: all the mod cons. An excellent breakfast is included plus there is a trendy bar. Excellently located and great value. See More

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  • Winchester Mansions Cape Town 76 rooms from AU$295

    
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    Local exploring  -  Excellently located between Cape Town's city centre and its best beaches

    Great walks  -  Up to Signal Hill for its beautiful vistas

    Sights nearby  -  The V&A Waterfront is less than 3km away

    Swimming Pool  -  Outdoor pool

    

    This historic hotel occupies a grand position along Sea Points promenade. Behind its traditional white Cape Dutch facade the hotel houses classic interiors with large rooms, both sea and mountain facing. Choose between fine dining at Harvey's or relax at the Gingko spa, plus live Jazz on Sundays. See More

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  • La Splendida Cape Town 24 rooms from AU$152

    
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    Families  -  Superior rooms are spacious and can easily accommodate families or small groups

    Local exploring  -  Perfectly located, you're a short stroll from all the action

    City Style  -  Sleek, stylish, and well priced

    Local markets  -  Green Point Market is a great place to pick up local handicrafts

    

    Chic, modern, and well-priced - right in the heart of thriving Green Point. Light filled rooms boast sea views and quirky interiors. You're walking distance from much of the action and lots of great restaurants. The in house restaurant Sótano serves up delicious Mediterranean dishes and cocktails. See More

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  • Dolphin Inn Cape Town 11 rooms from AU$188

    
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    Local exploring  -  A very central location: perfect for beach and city

    Sights nearby  -  V&A Waterfront is just a 15 minute stroll away

    Great walks  -  Green Point Urban Park

    Seaside  -  Ideal for a seaside holiday.

    

    Recommended by  -  Fodors

    Located in central Mouille Point this comfortable guest house provides a homely stay in a great spot. You're within easy reach of many of the Cape's most popular attractions. Enjoy a sumptuous breakfast out on your private balcony. A great stay. See More

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  • Cape Grace Hotel Cape Town 120 rooms from AU$1398

    
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    Romantic Break  -  Enjoy a couple's massage followed by drinks and dinner on your penthouse patio with Jacuzzi to boot!

    City Style  -  A perfect blend of African and European influnces, old and new, in a prime location.

    Restaurant  -  Excellent food is served at breakfast, lunch & dinner in the elegant chanderlied restaurant

    Spa  -  A great variety of treatments available in the in-house spa

    

    Recommended by  -  Tablet, Fodors, Frommers, Kiwi Collection

    A beautiful hotel in the centre of Cape Town’s vibrant V&A Waterfront. Excellent service, sumptuous classic interiors, a great restaurant, trendy bar and its own spa. There are magnificent views of Table Mountain and the marina which can be enjoyed from the privacy of your own balcony. See More

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  • Victoria & Alfred Hotel Cape Town 94 rooms from AU$441

    
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    Local exploring  -  You can spot many of Cape Town's best sights from the comfort of your own private balcony!

    City Style  -  Stylish accommodation boasting beautiful views and excellent dining

    Sailing  -  Boats take off from the Waterfront regularly, from diving to fishing, there is plenty to do

    Sights nearby  -  The Waterfront Amphitheatre is just next door

    

    Sit out on your balcony and watch the boats come and go. Overlooking the bustling V&A Waterfront you're right in the middle of things at this stylish boutique hotel. Excellent dining includes a sumptuous breakfast of buffet tables piled high, plus excellent coffee and al fresco lunch and dinners. See More

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  • One & Only Cape Town Cape Town 131 rooms from AU$815

    
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    City Style  -  Situated in the hip and happening V&A Waterfront, very close to trendy bars, restaurants and galleries

    Families  -  With luxurious accommodation, kids club and family friendly restaurants the littles ones will love it

    Sights nearby  -  From the heights of Table Mountain to the penguins of Boulder’s Beach there is a long list of things to see and do in Cape Town

    Kids Club  -  Onsite kids club to ensure your little ones don't get bored!

    

    Balancing convenience and luxury, this is the ultimate urban resort with an enormous pool, award-winning spa and fantastic views of the iconic Table Mountain. Boasting three gourmet restaurants and mere steps from the hip V&A Waterfront's shops and bars, with lots on offer for kids too- a real gem! See More

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  • The Silo Cape Town 28 rooms from AU$1706

    
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    City Style  -  The number one address on Cape Town's Waterfront, in fact Cape Town itself

    Spa  -  Five treatment rooms, sauna, gym, Mani & pedicure zone; the only spa in South Africa using Ling products

    Great walks  -  Perambulate Cape Town's Waterfront, Company Gardens, and some of the city's most notable historic spots

    Swimming Pool  -  Rooftop

    

    A former grain silo, this 28-bedroom hotel, is located on Cape Town's bustling Waterfront. The city's most hotly anticipated hotel it is a haven for the arts and 21st-century luxury. Each of its bedrooms is the height of lavish decor with bathrooms worthy of a ballroom, hence the hefty price tag. See More

    Check Availability

 

Written by Katie Harris

posted Wednesday, 6th May 2020