Top Boutique Hotels In Cape Town

This luxurious Cape Town hotel is located high on the slopes of Table Mountain, benefiting from superb city and mountain views, with highly-personal service and generous touches like complimentary house drinks and airport transfers. There’s an atmosphere of comfort, with dramatic wallpaper choices, monogrammed linen, bookshelves filled with well-thumbed books, eclectic furniture and arresting South African artworks. The complimentary house wines are good. The free high tea – served daily, sometimes to live piano accompaniment – is a decadent touch

A tranquil, stylish hotel on the lower slopes of Table Mountain, which is popular with older couples (no children under 12). There’s nothing flash or brash; with subtle African touches and hand-picked artworks – much of it for sale. Lots of comfortable public areas to unwind in, including a well-dressed courtyard with small heated pool. Despite the small size there is a hostess available 24/7 to assist with recommendations and bookings and spa treatments. There are just eight bedrooms (one suite, four deluxe and three luxury), some with fireplace, private garden, balcony or courtyard.

A delightful collection of 19th-century neighbouring houses located in one of the older characterful city residential neighbourhoods, a few paces from Kloof Street’s plethora of bars and restaurants. Hip apartment-style units are standardised in tasteful creams and warm greys; their kitchens and bathrooms are modern, but original features (e.g. creaking floorboards; pressed ceilings) add historic character. There’s a cosy little lounge where tea and treats are served, as well as evening port and snacks. Breakfast is a great spread, and includes hot made-to-order dishes.

This has always featured in any line up of the city’s top boutique hotels. Kensington Place still ticks every box: classy yet comfortable womb-like rooms you’ll hardly ever want to leave; excellent service; small but sexy public spaces; and a great Higgovale location overlooking the city and harbour. There is a small pool and courtyard-style garden with comfortable loungers and day beds with curtains that billow in the breeze. Most rooms have splendid city views. There’s a restaurant and bar with excellent wine and cocktail list. You won’t eat a better breakfast in the city either.

Quirky, characterful rooms bedecked with Persian rugs and Oriental treasures in an 18th-century building in the historic heart of Cape Town. It’s walking distance to all the city sights, shops and restaurants. Décor is predominantly inspired by the Cape’s early history, when the VOC ruled the colony and their ships laden with goods docked here. Rooms are completely different in shape and décor but all share the same lovely high-beamed teak ceilings, and standard comforts such as air-conditioning, mini-bar and king-sized beds.

This elegant Georgian-Victorian pad is one of the original houses built on the slopes of Table Mountain, just off vibey Kloof Street, with its plethora of restaurants and bars. There’s a decadent, cosy atmosphere in the chandeliered lounge, where complimentary snacks and drinks are served every evening – a great way to meet fellow guests. Service is caring, knowledgable, efficient and personal without being intrusive. The Standard rooms are sufficient in space, but if you can, it’s worth splurging on a Luxury as these open onto balconies or courtyards. Breakfast is the only meal offered, and it is excellent.

Camps Bay’s most elegant beach house offers a great location: set back from the seasonal hustle and bustle of the sunset strip, elevated enough for decent views, and only a minute’s stroll from the beach, restaurants and bars. It’s decorated in soft shades of sand with touches of blue and/or chocolate – pared-down elegance and understated luxury. There are six units to choose from: two rooms with views of the sea; two mountain-facing (equally lovely, and a bit quieter) one two-bedroom penthouse and the entry-level garden room (with adjoining private courtyard)

An uber-hip 17-room boutique hotel near Camps Bay’s beachfront. This glass-walled, clean-lined, contemporary structure is warmed with natural wood, raw slate and ironic plans, the kind of look that’s popular with glossy design-savvy magazines such as Wallpaper*. The public area comprises a dining room and bar-lounge that opens onto elevated decks overlooking the lap pool with partial sea views. The facilities are limited: breakfast only (excellent), but takeaways are plated and brought to your room, and staff will set up a great beach spot and deliver drinks.

This exclusive six-room boutique hotel, located in the 19th-century harbour master’s house, combines brilliant proximity to the number one tourist destination – a one-minute descent through your private gate and you’re in the Waterfront’s bustling heart. Given that you are in the densely developed harbour, the lawned garden with pool and bar area is a real luxury. There is also a top-notch spa, and a gym. The five spacious rooms have high ceilings and enormous bathrooms; the suite has a private garden. Breakfast features a few interesting choices such as ostrich egg Benedict

Aside from its location in the rather dull suburb of Claremont, The Andros Boutique Hotel is a stellar offering: a heritage home with 15 well-appointed rooms set in sprawling grounds, elegant drawing rooms, a great little bar, popular spa, excellent in-house chef and fabulous rates. Who needs more? A spirit of generosity permeates the guest house: several jars filled with treats in all the public spaces, cake in the lounge and complimentary sherry, port and brandy selection in the drawing room. The Classic rooms are perhaps the best value in the city.