Hotels in Cape Town

Cape Town Hotels

Overlooking wide turquoise waters and overlooked in turn by the epic flat-topped Table Mountain, Cape Town is the place to party in South Africa. There are bars and clubs to suit every taste, as well as idyllic seafront restaurants where you can while away the day in the blazing sun. Culture vultures will have plenty to do as well, with more than 100 art galleries dotted around the city. Whether you're wandering by the multi-coloured houses of the Bo-Kaap district or showing off your surfing skills at Muizenberg Beach, Cape Town will thrill your senses and stimulate your mind.

Things to see

Cape Town is one of the world's best beach cities – in fact, the hardest thing is deciding which stretch of sand to bask on. Camps Bay Beach is perhaps the most famous, and with its blazing white sands, swaying palms and waterside restaurants it's not hard to see why. Clifton's beaches are magnet for the rich locals, although mere mortals will also love lapping up the luxury, while body surfers and wind surfers can get wet and wild at Fish Hoek Beach. What better way to dry off than a trek up to the rugged peak of Table Mountain? A cable car get you up there if you don't fancy the hike, while no visit to Cape Town is complete without checking out Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, which boasts hundreds of shops and restaurants, and is a departure point for boat cruises – including the ferry to Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was held prisoner for so many years.

Hotels in Cape Town

If you're here to pamper yourself, Cape Town hotels won't disappoint. There are 5-star havens of luxury where lavish decor, four-poster beds, sun-dappled patios, designer toiletries and giant flat-screen televisions will make your stay as comfortable as possible. Outdoor swimming pools and tennis courts will let you soak up the sun too. If your budget doesn't stretch as far as palatial accommodation, Cape Town also has plenty of less extravagant hotels and bed and breakfasts which still offer sea views and airy guestrooms, making this a holiday to remember.

Where to stay

The sheer wealth of hotels in Cape Town means you can stay in any part of the city – and there are a lot of neighbourhoods to choose from. Camps Bay is a firm favourite with celebrity jetsetters and families alike, thanks to its array of accommodation and tantalising restaurants. Party lovers and bohemians may prefer to make Green Point their base, with its edgier vibe and pumping bars and clubs. If you want a taste of everyday Cape Town life, the Gardens district – located right in the heart of the city – will tick that box nicely as it's a hub of business and creativity, and particularly well-suited to those here for work.

How to get to Cape Town

Cape Town International Airport is one of the busiest travel hubs in South Africa, boasting flights to major cities such as London, Zurich, Singapore and Amsterdam. It's only a short drive to the city centre, and there's a special bus service you can hop onto if you don't fancy a taxi. You'll probably want to hire a car once here, as Cape Town is a sprawling city and it really helps to have your own transport. Failing that, metered taxis are a good, safe bet for tourists.