Best hotels in Cape Town: where to stay by area

Cape Town is one of the world's most spectacular cities, squeezed between Table Mountain and two oceans, of beaches, vineyards and a vibrant creative scene, and the area where you sleep completely changes the trip: the City Bowl below the mountain, the polished V&A Waterfront, the Sea Point promenade, the glamorous beaches of Camps Bay, artistic Woodstock. Public transport is limited, so you get around mostly by car or Uber. Here are the best areas to stay, the prices to reckon with and, at the end, a selection of real hotels with live rates.

Where to stay in Cape Town, area by area

City Bowl and the centre

The centre between the mountain and the harbour, around the Company's Garden and lively Long Street. It is the right call for a first-timer who wants a central base, near the monuments and the colourful Bo-Kaap quarter.

• The Table Mountain cableway
• The Company's Garden and the museums
• The colourful Bo-Kaap quarter
• The bars and restaurants of Long Street

For centrality and monuments, look for hotels in the City Bowl.

V&A Waterfront

The redeveloped harbour, with shops, restaurants, museums and the ferries to Robben Island. It is the safest, most polished choice, ideal for families and anyone after comfort and convenience by the water.

• The V&A Waterfront with shops and restaurants
• The Zeitz MOCAA art museum
• The ferries to Robben Island
• Table Mountain views from the harbour

For comfort and families, see hotels at the Waterfront.

Sea Point and Green Point

The Atlantic seaboard with the long Sea Point promenade and the Green Point urban park. It is the choice for anyone who loves the seafront, restaurants and a lively base near the centre.

• The seafront Sea Point promenade
• The Green Point urban park
• Restaurants, cafes and ocean pools
• Close to the Waterfront and the centre

For the seafront and life, look for hotels in Sea Point.

Camps Bay and Clifton

The glamorous beaches below the Twelve Apostles, with white sand, sunset cocktails and luxury villas. It is the choice for anyone after the beach, glamour and the finest sunsets, a little out of the centre.

• Camps Bay beach and the Clifton coves
• The profile of the Twelve Apostles
• Cocktail bars and seaside restaurants
• Lion's Head for the sunset

For the beach and glamour, see hotels in Camps Bay.

Woodstock and De Waterkant

Creative Cape Town: artistic Woodstock with street art and markets, and stylish De Waterkant with its cobbled lanes. It is the choice for anyone who loves design, galleries and a hip atmosphere.

• The Old Biscuit Mill and its Saturday market
• The street art and galleries of Woodstock
• The colourful lanes of De Waterkant
• Design boutiques, cafes and bistros

For art and style, look for hotels in Woodstock.

What it costs

Indicative figures: South Africa uses the rand (ZAR, around 20 to a euro) and for Europeans Cape Town is quite affordable.

• A double room in a mid-range 3-4 star: roughly 1,500-3,500 ZAR a night (about 75-175 euros).
• A dinner for two with wine: about 600-1,200 ZAR (about 30-60 euros); a coffee 40-60 ZAR, a glass of local wine 50-90 ZAR.
• Transport: the MyCiTi buses cover some routes, but people mostly use Uber and rental cars.
• Tourist tax: Cape Town hotels usually add a 1 percent TOMSA tourism levy on the rate, on top of 15 percent VAT (normally already included in the price). Verify the total at booking.

For a real sense before you choose, compare current prices in Cape Town.

Getting there and around

The airport is Cape Town International (CPT), about 20 km east, linked to the centre by the MyCiTi bus in around half an hour or by Uber. In town public transport is limited: for the Cape of Good Hope and the Winelands a rental car or an organised tour is best.

With a good location you get around easily by Uber, which is safe and cheap. In the evening, it is best not to walk around alone.

When to go

Remember Cape Town is in the southern hemisphere, with the seasons reversed.

• December-February: a hot, dry summer, high season and beaches, with the Cape Doctor wind; high prices, book well ahead.
• March-May: a mild, less windy autumn, often the best window.
• June-August: a cooler, wetter winter, with whale watching at Hermanus and lower prices.
• September-November: a spring of wildflowers and whales, with the weather warming up.

Good to know

Which area is best on a first visit? The V&A Waterfront for comfort and safety, or the City Bowl for centrality; Camps Bay for the beach.

Do I need a car in Cape Town? Public transport is limited: a rental car or Uber is the handiest way to get around.

How much is the tourist tax? Usually a 1 percent TOMSA levy on the rate plus 15 percent VAT, normally already included.

How do I get up Table Mountain? By the cableway (weather-dependent) or on foot via Platteklip Gorge; Lion's Head for the sunset.

Are there safety concerns? Use common sense, especially at night: take an Uber after dark and do not flash valuables.

What day trips are worth it? The Cape Peninsula with the Cape of Good Hope and the Boulders penguins, and the Stellenbosch Winelands.

How many days do I need? Four nights for the city, the peninsula and a day in the vineyards.

The best hotels in Cape Town

Below is a selection of real hotels in Cape Town among the highest rated by guests, with live rates to compare right now. Choose the area first, then compare prices and book at the right moment.