Where to Stay in Cape Town: Best Areas & Hotels

Planning where to stay in Cape Town is one of the most exciting and important decisions you’ll make before your trip, and this guide covers everything you need to know.

Cape Town is one of those cities that genuinely lives up to the hype. Draped across the foot of Table Mountain, pinched between two oceans and blessed with a climate, a food scene and a natural beauty that few cities on earth can match, it has a way of getting under your skin from the moment you land.

It’s dramatic and sophisticated, wild and refined all at once, and whether you’re watching clouds spill over Table Mountain, eating grilled fish at a harbour-side restaurant at sunset, or winding along Chapman’s Peak with the Atlantic crashing below you, the place never stops delivering.

It’s also a city of deeply distinct neighbourhoods, each with its own personality and pace, and getting that choice right shapes your entire experience. The glamorous beach strip of Camps Bay is a world away from the leafy, wine-soaked calm of Constantia. The V&A Waterfront buzzes with harbour energy, while Clifton has those beaches.

The hotel scene, meanwhile, has exploded in recent years, Cape Town now has some of the most exciting properties on the African continent, from The Silo’s iconic converted grain elevator to the wild seclusion of Tintswalo Atlantic and the grand elegance of the Mount Nelson.

I’ve just come back from a recent trip, staying across the city in a handful of different hotels and neighbourhoods, and this is the definitive guide to where to stay in Cape Town.

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The Best Hotels in Cape Town, South Africa

With such a spread of remarkable neighbourhoods, it’s no surprise that Cape Town punches well above its weight when it comes to places to stay.

From dramatic clifftop retreats and converted grain elevators to gracious wine estate manor houses and intimate boutique guesthouses, the city has accommodation to suit every taste, as long as you know where to look. Here are the properties I’d point you toward.

Mount Nelson, A Belmond Hotel, Gardens — Cape Town’s most iconic hotel, the pink-painted Nelson has been welcoming guests since 1899. Manicured gardens, legendary afternoon teas and an atmosphere of gracious old-world elegance that somehow never feels dated.

One&Only Cape Town, V&A Waterfront — Sleek, glamorous and right on the marina, the One&Only is one of the city’s grandest statements in luxury hospitality. Exceptional restaurants, a stunning pool area, and some of the best Table Mountain views you’ll find from a hotel room.

Cape Grace, V&A Waterfront — A Cape Town institution that manages to feel intimate and personal despite its prime waterfront position. Beautifully appointed rooms, a wonderful spa and a warm, unhurried atmosphere that keeps guests coming back year after year.

Kensington Place, Gardens — Just eight rooms, a beautiful pool, and sweeping views over the city bowl. It feels more like staying in a very stylish private home than a hotel, and the personalised service matches that feeling exactly.

21 Nettleton, Clifton — One of the most breathtaking places to stay in all of Cape Town. An ultra-luxury boutique hotel perched high above Clifton with panoramic Atlantic views, impeccable design and an intimacy that makes it feel like a very stylish private home.

Ellerman House, Bantry Bay — A beautifully restored Edwardian mansion with an exceptional art collection, a stunning pool terrace and the kind of quietly refined luxury that never needs to raise its voice. Service here is genuinely exceptional.

Tintswalo Atlantic, Hout Bay — Perched on the water’s edge beneath Chapman’s Peak with the ocean at your door, this is one of the most dramatically situated hotels in South Africa. Remote, romantic and completely unforgettable.

The Cellars-Hohenort, Constantia — Set within beautiful gardens on a historic Constantia estate, this is one of the finest hotels in the Cape, tranquil, elegant and with an exceptional restaurant that would justify a visit even if you weren’t staying.

What is the Best Area to Stay in Cape Town?

I’ve personally spent time exploring Cape Town’s neighbourhoods, and I came away with a pretty clear picture of where different kinds of travellers should be planting their bags.

For me, the best areas to stay in Cape Town are Camps Bay, Clifton, the V&A Waterfront, or Gardens, but honestly, the city has something for everyone.

Clifton is stunning if you want seclusion and some of the best beaches on the peninsula; Sea Point strikes a brilliant balance between coastal living and city convenience, but there is a lack of good hotels; Hout Bay is perfect if you have a car and want a slower, more village-like pace; and Constantia is your spot if wine estates and lush valley views are more your thing than city buzz.

Given that each area of Cape Town is so varied, if you have a good amount of time in the city (5+ days), I’d recommend moving. I’d split my time between two different areas to give you the most out of the city.

Start at the V&A Waterfront or Gardens to get your bearings and experience the best of the city itself, then move somewhere like Camps Bay or Constantia for the second half, where things slow down, and you get a much more local feel along with the views.

It makes for a far richer trip, and with Uber so readily available, the logistics are easier than you’d think.

I’ll get into each one in detail below so you can see which one is right for you and your travel style.

Best Areas to Stay in Cape Town

Camps Bay

If there’s one area of Cape Town that stopped me in my tracks the moment I arrived, it’s Camps Bay. Backed by the dramatic Twelve Apostles mountain range and facing out over the icy-but-gorgeous Atlantic, it’s one of those places that looks like a screensaver.

The accommodation here is excellent, ranging from sleek boutique hotels to beautiful self-catering apartments, most of them with the ocean views that make you want to cancel your plans and just sit on the balcony all day.

The main strip is lined with restaurants and cafés, and the beach itself is right there, wide and white and walkable. It’s also one of the safer neighbourhoods in Cape Town, which matters, and while it doesn’t feel like you’re locked away in a resort bubble, you do get a real sense of ease wandering around here.

Camps Bay is on the pricier side. You’re paying for the location, the views, and the vibe, and most visitors feel it’s worth it — but if you’re watching your budget, you might want to look at Sea Point or Gardens instead.

That said, you’re only a short Uber from the V&A Waterfront, the cable car up Table Mountain, and the rest of the city’s main sights, so you’re never really out of the loop.

Best Hotels in Camps Bay

The Marly Boutique Hotel & Spa – A sleek, stylish property right in the heart of Camps Bay with a gorgeous pool, a great spa, and that enviable front-row position on the Atlantic seaboard.

POD Camps Bay by The Oyster Collection – A cool, design-led hotel that brings a fresh, contemporary energy to the Camps Bay strip. The rooms are sharp and well-considered, the views are predictably spectacular, and it sits right in the middle of everything.

Clifton

Clifton is Camps Bay’s quieter, more understated neighbour, located just a few minutes further north along the Atlantic seaboard, and in many ways it’s even more beautiful.

It’s a predominantly residential area, which gives it a more relaxed, less scene-y feel than Camps Bay, but the real draw here is the beaches. Clifton’s four beaches — simply known as First, Second, Third, and Fourth — are regularly ranked among the best in the world, and when you see them, sheltered by giant boulders and with that impossibly blue water in front of you, it’s hard to argue.

Accommodation options are fewer than in Camps Bay and tend toward private rentals, but there are a couple of standout luxury and boutique hotels.

It’s worth knowing that the water is cold, but on a warm Cape Town day with the sun bouncing off those white sands, most people find they don’t mind too much.

Like Camps Bay, Clifton sits on the pricier end of the spectrum, and you’ll want an Uber or a car to get around since it’s not the most walkable neighbourhood for getting into the city. The rides are very short, however, and plentifully available. But if stunning natural beauty and a sense of escape are what you’re after, Clifton delivers in spades.

Best Hotels in Clifton

21 Nettleton – one of the most breathtaking places to stay in all of Cape Town, an ultra-luxury boutique hotel perched high above Clifton with panoramic views of the Atlantic that are simply unreal. It’s intimate, impeccably designed, and the kind of place that ruins you for ordinary hotels.

Ellerman House – sits just along the ridge in Bantry Bay and carries that same sense of quiet, refined luxury. A beautifully restored Edwardian mansion with an exceptional art collection, a stunning pool terrace, and service that makes you feel like a personal guest rather than a paying one.

Gardens

Gardens is one of my favourite places to stay in Cape Town, just with one caveat: you have to be okay with trading in the sea views. And I think it’s a trade worth making.

Nestled on the slopes of Table Mountain, it’s one of the greenest, most lush parts of the city, with the kind of leafy streets and mountain backdrop that make even a morning walk feel cinematic.

You’re a short drive from Camps Bay and the Atlantic seaboard, the bars, restaurants, and boutiques of Kloof Street are practically on your doorstep, and the city centre is just minutes away — so nothing ever feels out of reach.

It strikes that rare balance of feeling tucked away and peaceful while still being genuinely central, and the accommodation here — a mix of charming guesthouses, boutique hotels and well-priced apartments — tends to offer far better value than the beachfront neighbourhoods.

If you want to feel connected to the real rhythm of Cape Town rather than just its glossy coastal edge, Gardens is where I’d point you, especially if you can split your time in Cape Town between Gardens and then Camps Bay or Clifton.

Best Hotels in Gardens

Kensington Place – A gorgeous, intimate boutique hotel tucked into the leafy upper reaches of Gardens, with just eight rooms, a beautiful pool, and sweeping views over the city bowl. It feels more like staying in a very stylish private home than a hotel, and the personalised service matches that feeling exactly. Where I stayed in Cape Town.

Mount Nelson, A Belmond Hotel – An absolute Cape Town institution. The iconic pink-painted mansion has been welcoming guests since 1899 and remains one of the most beloved hotels on the continent. Manicured gardens, legendary afternoon teas, and an atmosphere of gracious, old-world elegance that somehow never feels stuffy, a stay here is an experience in itself.

NOAH House – A more intimate, design-led option that brings a fresh, contemporary energy to the City Bowl accommodation scene. It’s thoughtfully put together, feels genuinely personal, and sits at a much more accessible price point than its neighbours, making it a great pick if you want character and quality without the splurge.

V&A Waterfront

Few areas in Cape Town pack quite as much into one place as the V&A Waterfront, and I loved every minute of exploring it. It’s commercial, there are crowds, and you’ll find the usual parade of souvenir shops alongside the high-end boutiques, but none of that takes away from the fact that this is a genuinely spectacular setting.

The working harbour, the boats bobbing in the marina, Table Mountain framed perfectly at the end of the waterway. And the properties here are among the best in the city – world-class hotels with incredible facilities, stunning harbour-facing rooms, and service to match.

The dining scene is similarly impressive, from casual waterfront spots to some of Cape Town’s most celebrated restaurants; you could eat exceptionally well without ever leaving the precinct.

It’s also about as central as it gets — the ferry to Robben Island leaves from here, the cable car up Table Mountain is a short drive away, Camps Bay is fifteen minutes up the road, and the city centre is right on your doorstep. If you want everything within easy reach from the moment you land, the V&A Waterfront makes an awful lot of sense, especially on a first-time trip to the city.

Best Hotels in V&A Waterfront

Cape Grace – A genuinely lovely hotel that manages to feel intimate and personal despite its prime waterfront position, with beautifully appointed rooms, a wonderful spa, and that warm, slow atmosphere that keeps guests coming back year after year. It’s classic Cape Town luxury done with real heart.

One&Only Cape Town – sleek, glamorous and grand, the One&Only sits right on the marina and is one of the most visually striking hotels in the city. The restaurants are excellent, the pool area is the kind of place you lose an entire afternoon, and the views of Table Mountain from certain rooms are simply ridiculous.

The Silo Hotel – Arguably the most talked-about hotel in Cape Town right now, and for good reason. Housed in a converted grain elevator above the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa, it’s a design lover’s dream with extraordinary architecture, individually designed rooms, and a rooftop pool that might just be the best vantage point in the whole city.

Radisson Collection Hotel, Waterfront Cape Town – A polished, contemporary option that delivers excellent rooms, great facilities and stunning harbour views at a price point that’s more reasonable than some of its neighbours. A solid, stylish choice if you want the waterfront experience.

Dorp Hotel – Located a short drive from the waterfront, near Bo-Kaap, this is a charming, characterful option that brings a more boutique, historically-rooted feel to the area. It’s one of the best design boutique hotels in the city, and a wonderful stay that’s near everything.

Sea Point

Sea Point is lively and cosmopolitan, with a fantastic stretch of cafés and restaurants along its main drag, and the famous Sea Point Promenade, a long, breezy oceanfront walkway, is one of the great free pleasures of any Cape Town visit.

The atmosphere here feels genuinely local in a way that the more polished tourist areas don’t always manage, and it sits at a far more accessible price point than Camps Bay or Clifton just up the road.

That said, if, like me, your hotel matters as much as your location, Sea Point might leave you a little short. The area has a real lack of luxury and boutique hotel options, which is a shame given how much else it has going for it.

What it does have in abundance, however, is excellent Airbnb and self-catering apartment options, many of them with sea views and easy promenade access — so if you’re happy to go that route, it’s ideal.

Best Hotels in Sea Point

Leeuwenzee Guesthouse – A well-regarded guesthouse that delivers a warm, welcoming stay in a lovely Sea Point setting, with comfortable, clean rooms and that personal touch you only really get from a smaller, independently run property. A solid and reliable choice in an area where good accommodation can be hard to pin down.

Petit Pineapple House – Charming and cheerful, this is the kind of place that puts a smile on your face from the moment you arrive. Boutique in the truest sense — small, carefully considered and full of personality, it’s a lovely option if you want something a little different from the standard hotel experience.

Newkings Boutique Hotel – A smart, contemporary boutique option. Well-located, nicely designed, and with a genuine attention to detail, it’s one of the better hotel choices in the neighbourhood and worth a serious look if you’re set on staying in this part of the city.

Constantia/Newlands

Tucked into a lush, verdant valley on the southern slopes of Table Mountain, Constantia and Newlands sit in a world of their own. This is Cape Town’s winelands-on-your-doorstep neighbourhood with rolling vineyards, historic wine estates, and wide leafy streets that feel a million miles from the bustle of the waterfront or the beach strip.

The world-renowned Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden is practically on your doorstep, Hout Bay is a short drive over the hill, and the accommodation here tends toward elegant manor houses and gracious guesthouses rather than anything slick or urban, yet they are all very affordable.

It’s an area that rewards a slower pace. One firm piece of advice, though: rent a car. The real joy of staying in Constantia is the freedom to explore at your own pace, hopping between estates, dropping into Kirstenbosch on a whim, or heading over to Hout Bay for sundowners without watching the clock.

These neighborhoods are perfect for those returning to Cape Town wanting a different pace, families that prefer a more laid-back, countryside setting, or for anyone who’s already ‘done’ the city center and wants something different.

Best Hotels in Constantia/Newlands

The Cellars-Hohenort – A truly special property set within beautiful gardens on a historic Constantia estate, with elegant rooms, an exceptional restaurant, and that rare sense of total tranquillity that makes it feel completely removed from the outside world. One of the finest hotels in the Cape.

Constantia Klein – A charming, intimate guesthouse that captures the essence of the Constantia valley beautifully with whitewashed Cape Dutch architecture, lush gardens, and a warm, personal atmosphere that bigger hotels simply can’t replicate.

The Alphen Boutique Hotel & Spa – A gorgeous heritage property set in a restored 18th-century Cape Dutch manor house, with beautifully appointed rooms, a lovely spa and grounds that are perfect for long, unhurried afternoons.

Vineyard Hotel – Sitting at the foot of Table Mountain on the edge of Newlands, this is a well-loved Cape Town classic, spacious, beautifully landscaped, and with a wonderful sense of calm.

Hout Bay

Hout Bay is Cape Town’s fishing village. Tucked into a dramatic horseshoe-shaped bay about 20 minutes from the city centre, it has a completely different energy to the rest of the city, relaxed, unpretentious and genuinely charming, with a working harbour, fresh seafood, a laid-back café scene and mountain scenery.

It’s particularly popular with families and longer-stay visitors who want space and a slower pace rather than the polished tourist trail. You will need a car here, but positioned between Constantia and the Cape Peninsula, it makes a brilliant base for exploring that whole southern stretch — Chapman’s Peak, Cape Point, Boulders Beach, and the winelands are all within easy striking distance.

Hout Bay also has some of Cape Town’s best hotels, and I’d highly recommend coming here for a night or two at the least for a quiet retreat in nature away from the city.

Best Hotels in Hout Bay

Tintswalo Atlantic – One of the most dramatically situated hotels in all of South Africa, perched right on the water’s edge beneath Chapman’s Peak with the ocean practically lapping at your door. It’s remote, romantic, and utterly unforgettable. Where I stayed on my recent trip.

Future Found Sanctuary – A beautifully conceived boutique retreat that brings a cool, design-forward sensibility to Hout Bay, with a strong focus on wellness and sustainability.

Hout Bay Manor – A lovely, characterful property that captures the village spirit of Hout Bay perfectly.

Where Not to Stay in Cape Town

Cape Town is a city of extraordinary contrasts, and choosing the right neighbourhood matters more here than in most cities. From experience, I’d steer clear of the CBD — the central business district — for staying overnight.

During the day it’s fine to visit, and I encourage you to as there are many great restaurants, bars, and boutiques here, but after dark it can feel edgy and uncomfortable. While it is convenient, it’s noisy, and it lacks the kind of atmosphere that makes you actually want to be based somewhere.

More broadly, I’d avoid venturing into the less central, less affluent townships and outlying neighbourhoods for accommodation — not because they aren’t fascinating and culturally rich parts of Cape Town’s story, but practically speaking, they’re not equipped for tourists in terms of safety infrastructure, and they’re far removed from everything you’ll want to be close to.

Stick to the neighbourhoods covered in this guide, and you’ll be well within the parts of the city that are comfortable, well-connected, and genuinely enjoyable to be based in. Cape Town rewards good planning, and where you sleep is one of the most important decisions you’ll make before you go.

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