This upmarket Cape Town Hotel, spa and restaurant offers uninterrupted sea views of the Atlantic Ocean and is positioned beneath the slopes of the Twelve Apostles mountain range on the Cape peninsula amidst a backdrop of unspoilt fynbos vegetation. The Twelve Apostles Hotel has no immediate neighbours yet is less than a 30 minute drive from the heart of bustling Cape Town along one of this coast's most scenic roads.

The location caters for those seeking tranquillity and offers every comfort including five star facilities and a private cinema for after dinner screenings. Besides the Leopard Room bar, popular for sunset cocktails and an envious collection of vodka and port, a café offering light meals, or the option of afternoon tea, the main draw card is the Azure Restaurant which promotes cape-fusion cuisine utilising indigenous plants known as fynbos, herbs, seasonal ingredients and local seafood. It also offers visitors the opportunity to sample pickled fish, incorporating Cape Malay style cooking, a favourite of the BoKaap. It has won acclaim as one of the best places to stay in the world and is on the Conde Nast Traveller Gold list for 2010.

The view of the ocean, Lion's Head and the craggy Twelve Apostles to the rear in wild surroundings makes this luxurious establishment well worth a visit.

www.12apostleshotel.com
+27 (0) 21 437 9000
Victoria Road, Camps Bay, Cape Town, South Africa

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

Steeped in history dating to Simon van der Stel's era, this working wine estate is set in the fertile Constantia valley. Once the bread-basket supplying the former emerging settlement now it is only a twenty minute drive from the urban centre of Cape Town. Still holding its rural charm it offers the choice of three restaurants, hotel accommodation, spa facilities and a cricket oval as well as wine tastings seven days a week. History buffs and green-fingered enthusiasts can opt for tours of this restored and popular homestead and gardens. There is a selection of brandies and olive oils for sale in the wine shop as well as advice on food and wine pairing.

The recently revamped River Café offers a menu of affordable seasonal produce from Uitsig's own organic garden which is accompanied with specially sourced home-made breads, meats and cheeses. Understated and relaxed this bistro is open for breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea throughout the year bar New Year's day.

La Colombe is the winner of numerous awards for both its service and predominately French cuisine but also offers diners a selection of Asian- inspired dishes. The estate's selection of prestigious wines only heighten the experience of fine dining.

Situated in the original manor house on the estate, The Constantia Uitsig restaurant focuses mainly on rustic Italian favourites for lunch and dinner. The best quality ingredients are used and this heartfelt approach adds to the convivial ambience.

With the option of three restaurants, fine wine, stunning scenery and a slice of Cape history this dining experience fails to disappoint.

www.constantia-uitsig.com
rivercafe@uitsig.co.za
+ 27 (0) 21 794 6500
Constantia Uitsig, Spaanschemat River Road, Constantia, Cape Town, South Africa

Google map: tinyurl.com/yeqldvb

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

After staying in bog standard, even fortress like hotels, with formal at best and surly at worst staff, The Cape Heritage Hotel was a drop into a blissful haven. The Cape Heritage is a boutique style, luxurious yet homely hotel housed in Heritage Square where you can find a host of restaurants just minutes away, in the historic centre of Cape Town. The staff come friendly, helpful and with a touch of dry wit. We were upgraded to a suite which was completely unexpected and the staff humorously didn’t tell us – I went down to tell them that I think we’ve got the wrong room (I was concerned my bank balance wouldn’t cope), and they said we’ve treated you! They even lent us some money so we didn’t have to go to the cashpoint the night we arrived.

The bed was gorgeous – so comfy you didn’t want to leave and you could practically float in the bath it was so deep (not so good for water conservation, but there is a shower).

Breakfast is served in a homely country/modern style kitchen where the girls transfer from reception mode to chef / comedian mode – eggs and beans to order (although they were a little taken by surprise that we wanted our beans hot!)

This hotel truly made our stay in South Africa memorable, comfortable and unique with a personal touch often lacking in many hotels.

Cape Heritage is in my top three hotels to stay in the world – stay anywhere else and you’re missing a treat!

Cape Heritage Hotel
90 Bree Street, Cape Town, South Africa
021 424 4646
www.capeheritage.co.za/

Google map: tinyurl.com/yah7wwf

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

I'd recommend the Lord Charles Hotel in Somerset West, Cape Town any day.
I was blown away by the beautiful setting. The hotel has large garden with exotic plants in front of the mountain and it's very close to vineyards and the sea. The local people came for a stroll on the beach on Sunday afternoon without any shoes on! It was fantastic to do the same too. Nobody seemed to care.
 
The food was great and the most of them all, biscuits and cakes were wonderful. They looked the same as ours but tasted so different. I had to buy the SA cookery book on baking!
 
I'm dreaming of visiting there again...

www.nh-hotels.co.za/lordcharles/index.php

Corner Faure & Stellenbosch Roads
Somerset West, 7130, Cape Town, South Africa
Tel No: (021) 855 1040

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

Forget hotels stay here! Spotlessly clean modern rooms, (we even had a balcony overlooking table mountain). Great staff, gave really good advice on where to go in Cape Town and the area. Really fun bar, over all a great choice, the rooms and food is as good as any hotel, but for some reason these guys don't charge as much! They also have a great fun bar full of people who have travelled all over the world and who actually talk to you. We made so many friends amongst the staff and guests we left wanting to stay longer, thats never happened to me in any faceless hotel

81 New Church Street, Gardens, Cape Town.

(all the taxi drivers seem to know where this place is)

0027 21 426 0200

www.capetownbackpackers.com

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

Luxury boutique hotel in the Heritage Square part of the city centre, convenient for Cape Quarter, shopping, the bus to the Table Mountain cable car and only 15 minutes walk to the Robben Island ferry. The rooms are all different, some with very original touches. The staff are, in a word, amazing. No request seems to exceed their knowledge and skills, but they are never patronising. Moreover, the hotel has led the regeneration of Heritage Square, transforming a site designated for demolition into a block of gentrification. It's not a cheap option in Cape Town, but I cannot imagine you regretting the cost. Spoil yourself!

90 Bree Street, Cape Town, South Africa
PO Box 4475, Cape Town, 8000, South Africa
E: info@capeheritage.co.za
T: +27 21 424 4646
W: www.capeheritage.co.za

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

Well-kept three-star place on a quiet street under the Table Mountain, three blocks from Company's Garden and two from Gardens shopping centre.

3A Gordon St., Gardens, 8001
ndb@iafrica.com
My account of a 2008 tour of the Capes (west, east and south) and critique of South Africa's three-star tier of accommodations may be found at www.pilgrimswanderers.blogspot.com

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

Ideally situated in the Bo-Kaap area (walking distance from Waterkant, downtown, waterfront and International Convention Centre), this charming guesthouse is owned and managed by Bruce who warmly welcomes you with true hospitality. Rose Lodge offers clean, tastefully decorated and very comfortable rooms. Delicious healthy breakfast is served on the terrace. Bruce was also very helpful in arranging airport transfers and he will gladly assist you with the planning of day trips or any other activities.

www.rosestreet28.com
Address: 28 Rose Street, Cape Town 8000
Phone: +27(0)21 4243813
Cell: +27(0)73 073 6139
E-Mail
info@rosestreet28.com

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

Want to stay in a five-star B&B but pay for a two-star? Stay at Rose Lodge when in Cape Town! This gem of a guest house is run with immaculate care by its owner, Bruce, and it shows. Everything is perfect and Bruce is a wonderful host. He adeptly looks over every detail and expertly anticipates one's every need. He is always available for any request yet I never found him to be intrusive; he instinctively knows when to step forward when he is needed yet remain unobtrusive when one is looking for privacy. He is truly a professional and very pleasant in a quiet and subdued manner. My stay in Cape Town was made more memorable thanks to Bruce and Rose Lodge.

28 Rose St
Cape Town

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

We stayed at the Hout Bay Hideaway in October 2007. The Jaguars are gone, but Martin and Sue, who now own the Hideaway, have kept the same format and added cooked breakfast on request. They were warm, welcoming and more than helpful - assisting us in advance with planning our trip, advising us about what to do and where to go, organising our transport…

The accommodation is comfortable and the garden, with its terraces on different levels, relaxing and peaceful. The area is safe and we went for walks and runs along Chapman’s Peak Drive from the door. There are plenty of places to eat nearby, and the Hideaway is an ideal base for exploring the area around Cape Town without having to sit in the city traffic jams. Highly recommended.

www.houtbay-hideaway.com/

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

If you really want a wonderfully decadent experience stay at the "Nellie".

The rooms are huge and well appointed, the service is out of this world and the location is exquisite.
Not cheap but an experience in one of the best hotels I've ever stayed in

Mount Nelson Hotel
76 Orange Street, Cape Town
8001, South Africa
Cape Town
South Africa

Tel: +27 21 483 1000
Fax: +27 21 483 1001
Email: acook@mountnelson.co.za; oarbuthnot@mountnelson.co.za; reservations@mountnelson.co.za;

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

Sugar is a new boutique hotel with seven ensuite rooms. Contemporary design, near Clifton beaches, with lounge, bar, small spa and wine shop.

www.sugarhotel.co.za
021 447 8131

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

Slightly old-fashioned, possibly colonial style, hotel, which offers a touch of class at a price the non-business traveller, with or without his family, can afford.
Relaxing garden, outdoor pool - the very opposite of the modern American style hotel.

Tel.
021 6833044

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

A good place to stay is The Ambassador Hotel in Bantry Bay. Free wireless internet - and if you like to internet in your room, they do not mind at the front desk to lend you a laptop when it is not busy at the communication centre.

Book a seaview room and enjoy the sunset. If you don't, no problem, just go to the (sports) bar. There is an excellent shuttle service to and from the V&A waterfront till 11pm. Nice and friendly atmosphere and the food and wine is good.

34 Victoria Road, Bantry Bay 8005
Tel: 27 21 439 6170
www.ambassador.co.za

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends