About Cape Town

Cape Town is the kind of city that never quite leaves your memory with a mix of sea air, mountain mist, and a hum that feels both laid-back and electric. Sitting on the southern tip of Africa, where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet, it’s a place of contrasts: luxury yachts in the V&A Waterfront glide past working trawlers, and boutique hotels sit beside mom-and-pop cafés serving koeksisters and strong coffee. Over the years, the city has become one of Africa’s most beloved travel destinations; part postcard, part pulse. Whether you’re hunting for the best hotels in Cape Town overlooking the sea or cheap hotels in Cape Town tucked into the city bowl, you’ll find something to match every mood and budget.

The story of Cape Town is older than it looks. Table Mountain has stood watch since long before the Dutch ships arrived in the 1600s, and you can still feel that old-world gravity when the evening mist rolls down its slopes. Yet the city buzzes with modern energy & designer boutiques, rooftop bars, and a restaurant scene that could rival London or Melbourne. For travelers, the mix is intoxicating.

Cape Town airport Address

Cape Town International Airport (CPT)
Location: 20 km east of City Centre, Cape Town, South Africa
Contact: +27 21 937 1200
Website: www.airports.co.za 

It’s a clean, efficient airport though the passport queues can stretch on long-haul mornings. For hotels in Cape Town near the airport, look around Matroosfontein and Airport Industria; there are several modern options within a 10–15 minutes’ drive. A taxi into the city center costs around R250–R300, though app rides can trim that slightly.

The Best Time to Visit Cape Town

Cape Town breathes differently depending on the season. December through February brings that high-summer charm; long golden evenings and buzzing beaches. It’s also when Cape Town hotel prize rates climb, sometimes by 40–60%. Between March and May, prices ease, winds calm, and vineyards turn amber; it’s a sweet spot for both weather and rates. Winter (June–August) means cooler days, cozy wine bars, and deals that make even the 5 star hotels in Cape Town surprisingly affordable.

Pro tip: If you’re visiting for New Year’s or the Cape Town Minstrel Carnival in early January, book your stay at least 50 days ahead. Akbartravels.com often lists early-bird room blocks for Cape Town hotels during this period.

Explore the best of Cape Town tour packages with Akbar Travels & get curated experiences, top hotels, and great value deals.

How to reach Cape Town

By air:

Most travelers fly into Cape Town International Airport, connected globally and regionally. From there, pre-booked shuttles or taxis whisk you downtown in about 20–25 minutes, traffic permitting.

By rail:

Trains from Johannesburg or Pretoria take roughly 26–30 hours, scenic but not exactly punctual. Still, for romantics, pulling into Cape Town station under the gaze of Table Mountain has its own charm. Staying in hotels in Cape Town near railway station can make this experience easier; spots like the ONOMO Hotel Cape Town Inn and Signature Lux are both within walking distance.

By road:

Self-driving along the N1 or N2 gives the best freedom. Rental cars are plentiful, and petrol stations are open 24 hours. Parking downtown can be a headache, though older Cape Town famous hotels have tight garages.

Things to do in Cape Town

• Table Mountain: Ride the cableway or hike up for sweeping city views & mornings are clearest.
• Robben Island: Visit Mandela’s former prison cell; boats leave from the Waterfront.
• V&A Waterfront: A lively hub of restaurants, shopping, and live music.
• Kirstenbosch Gardens: Walk among indigenous plants with mountain views that never get old.
• Boulders Beach: Meet the famous African penguin colony in Simon’s Town.
• Bo-Kaap: Wander pastel streets, smell spices drifting from open windows.
• Chapman’s Peak Drive: Scenic cliffside route with ocean wind in your face.
• Cape Point Nature Reserve: Dramatic coastal cliffs and wild baboons (hide your snacks).
• District Six Museum: Stories of forced removals; moving, real, essential.
• Woodstock Street Art Tour: Murals, coffee roasters, and creative energy.
• Two Oceans Aquarium: Great for families; kids love the shark tunnel.
• Greenmarket Square: Souvenirs, art, and the occasional busker’s guitar.
• Lion’s Head Hike: Sunset hike with views that make you stay too long.
• Signal Hill: Easier climb than Lion’s Head; perfect for picnic sunsets.
• Constantia Wine Route: Historic vineyards just 20 minutes from town.

Shopping in Cape Town

• Canal Walk
• Victoria Wharf at V&A Waterfront
• Cavendish Square
• Old Biscuit Mill
• Greenmarket Square
• Neighbourgoods Market
• Woodstock Exchange
• Gardens Shopping Centre
• Watershed Market
• Mojo Market
• Access Park (for outlet deals)
• The Bay Harbour Market
• Long Street boutiques
• Kalk Bay vintage shops
• Bree Street pop-ups

Famous Restaurants in Cape Town

• The Test Kitchen (for culinary theatre)
• La Colombe (fine dining with mountain air)
• Kloof Street House (quirky and romantic)
• Gold Restaurant (pan-African feast)
• The Pot Luck Club (inventive small plates)
• Beluga (sushi and dim sum)
• Harbour House Kalk Bay (sea views that silence you)
• Chefs Warehouse Beau Constantia (wine pairing heaven)
• FYN (Japanese-African fusion)
• The Codfather (choose your fish, they grill it)
• Willoughby & Co (seafood legend inside a mall)
• Carne SA (meat lovers’ paradise)
• Truth Coffee (steampunk-themed café)
• Biesmiellah (Cape Malay classics)
• Sevruga (smart seaside dining).

Popular Hotels in Cape Town

1. The Silo Hotel
2. One&Only Cape Town
3. Taj Cape Town
4. Table Bay Hotel
5. Radisson Blu Waterfront
6. The Twelve Apostles Hotel & Spa
7. Belmond Mount Nelson
8. Protea Hotel by Marriott Sea Point
9. ONOMO Hotel Inn
10. Cloud 9 Boutique Hotel
11. Signature Lux Hotel
12. President Hotel Bantry Bay
13. The Commodore
14. Garden Court Victoria Junction
15. Hotel Sky Cape Town

Popular Resorts in Cape Town

1. Tintswalo Atlantic (waterfront serenity)
2. Camps Bay Retreat
3. Lagoon Beach Hotel
4. Radisson Blu Hotel & Residence
5. Vineyard Hotel
6. Hout Bay Manor
7. Steenberg Hotel & Spa
8. Monkey Valley Resort
9. De Zalze Lodge
10. Le Franschhoek Hotel (a short drive out)
11. The Bay Hotel Camps Bay
12. The Marly Boutique Hotel
13. Glen Boutique Hotel & Spa
14. Silvermist Wine Estate
15. Table Mountain Eco Lodge

Where to Stay in Cape Town

The right neighborhood shapes your trip. The City Bowl is energetic with bars, markets, and mountain views from rooftop pools. Camps Bay is for sunsets, cocktails, and hotels in Cape Town near beach. Sea Point feels more local, with a seaside promenade for morning jogs. Constantia whispers luxury and vineyards. Observatory is cheaper, creative, slightly scruffy in the best way.

For first-timers, staying near the Waterfront or Gardens keeps you central. Those in business might prefer Foreshore or De Waterkant; convenient and smart. Check akbartravels.com for map-based Cape Town hotel price comparison before you book; it’s surprisingly handy to visualize distance-to-sea versus cost.

Places to Stay in Cape Town near Popular Attractions

• Near Table Mountain: Cloud 9 Boutique or Mount Nelson both with fast access to the cableway.
• Near the V&A Waterfront: The Silo, The Table Bay, or One&Only Cape Town.
• Near the Beach (Camps Bay): The Bay Hotel, The Marly, and Twelve Apostles Hotel & Spa.
• Near the Airport: Hotel Verde Cape Town, Road Lodge, or Town Lodge.
• Near the Railway Station: Signature Lux and ONOMO; safe, central, and good for quick departures.
• Near Constantia Vineyards: The Cellars-Hohenort or Steenberg Hotel – old-world quiet.

Budget Hotels in Cape Town

Not every visit needs a designer suite. The best cheap hotels in Cape Town deliver solid basics with personality: clean sheets, helpful staff, and a bit of local soul. Try Mojo Hotel (Sea Point’s rooftop vibes), StayEasy Cape Town City Bowl, A Sunflower Stop Backpackers, or Once in Cape Town.

For the cheapest hotel in Cape Town, expect shared bathrooms and small rooms but prime locations; easy to walk to Long Street or hop buses. Akbartravels.com occasionally lists flash deals where rates dip below R450 a night, usually for off-season weekdays.

Quick rule: Book Sunday to Wednesday for lower rates, weekend weddings and events can push Cape Town hotel prize rates up by 25–30%.

Cape Town Hotels by Star Rating

• 5 Star Hotels in Cape Town: The Silo, One&Only, Mount Nelson, Taj Cape Town, and The Twelve Apostles, where everything smells faintly of lilies and fresh linen.
• 4 Star Hotels: Radisson Blu Waterfront, The Commodore, The President Hotel, and Protea by Marriott.
• 3 Star Hotels: Garden Court Victoria Junction, ONOMO Hotel, and Mojo Hotel.
• 2 Star Hotel Cape Town: Altona Lodge and Road Lodge N1 City; simple, safe, and consistent.

Luxury seekers lean toward Clifton or Bantry Bay. Budget travelers gravitate to the Observatory or Green Point. Akbartravels.com can filter Cape Town hotel price comparison by star category, helping narrow choices without endless scrolling.

Best Hotels in Cape Town based on Location

• For Beach Lovers:  Hotels in Cape Town near beach are The Bay Hotel, The Marly Boutique Hotel, and The Twelve Apostles.
• For City Explorers: Taj Cape Town and Cloud 9 Boutique near Long Street’s energy.
• For Business Travelers: Signature Lux Foreshore or Radisson Blu Hotel & Residence near convention centers.
• For Couples: The Silo or Tintswalo Atlantic both feel cinematic at sunset.
• For Vineyard Escapes: Steenberg Hotel & Spa or The Cellars-Hohenort.

Insider tip: Certain Cape Town hotels quietly drop rates mid-week (especially Tuesdays) to lure short-notice business guests, a small window for smart travelers to book.

Family-Friendly Hotels in Cape Town

Families need space, patience, and quick breakfast buffets. The President Hotel and Garden Court Victoria Junction do this well. So does The Vineyard, with garden lawns where kids chase guinea fowl. The Radisson Blu Waterfront offers babysitting and a heated pool, while The Commodore sits walking distance to the Two Oceans Aquarium.

If you’re heading to Boulders Beach or Cape Point, stay in Simon’s Town or Noordhoek, there are hotel apartments in Cape Town ideal for longer stays. Akbartravels.com lists several family suites with kitchenettes and sea views, which save on meal costs too.

Cape Town Hotels Tariff

Prices in Cape Town rise and fall like the tide. Expect Cape Town 5 star hotel stays between R6,000–R10,000 per night in summer, dipping to R4,000–R6,000 in winter. Mid-range stays hover around R2,000–R3,000, while cheap hotels in Cape Town start near R900.

For a Cape Town hotel price comparison, use the same search date across platforms and the prices can differ by up to 18% based on time of day. Akbartravels.com occasionally adds value bundles (free breakfast or late checkout) hidden within the rate description, so read carefully before clicking “book.”

Cape Town Travel Tips

• Book Flights Early: Cape Town flight tickets can vary in price. To secure the best fares, it’s advisable to book cheap flights to Cape Town well in advance.
• Check the Wind Forecast: The “Cape Doctor” can ruin beach days, if gusts top 35 km/h, head to sheltered Clifton or Llandudno instead.
• Use E-hailing Apps: Uber and Bolt are reliable and safe; late-night fares rise, so confirm car details before hopping in.
• Carry Small Cash: Car guards and small cafés prefer R10–R20 coins, it’s polite and avoids awkward card refusals.
• Stay Alert on Long Street: Fun nightlife but petty theft is common; keep phones hidden and use taxis after dark.
• Wine Tastings Close Early: Most Constantia estates stop pouring by 5 PM, so plan mid-afternoon tastings instead of dinner visits.
• Avoid Mountain Hikes in Fog: Clouds roll in fast, GPS fails, and cliffs disappear, turn back if visibility drops.
• Bring a Universal Adapter: South Africa’s plugs are unique; carry your own as hotels in Cape Town run out quickly.
• Try Local Snacks: Share a Gatsby or vetkoek from Mariam’s Kitchen or Golden Dish; messy, cheap, unforgettable.
• Use Tap Water Freely: It’s safe and fresh, saving both cash and plastic on hot sightseeing days.
• Book Table Mountain Online: Morning tickets skip hour-long queues; afternoon visits risk cloud closures.
• Traffic Jams on M3: Avoid 7:30–9 AM and 4:30–6:30 PM; Cape Town drivers know it’s bumper-to-bumper chaos.
• Secure Valuables: Keep bags out of sight in beach car parks; some hotels in Cape Town near beach offer safer shuttles.
• Take Local SIMs: Grab a Vodacom SIM (5 GB ≈ R200) at the airport for easy maps and rideshare use.
• Visit in Shoulder Season: March–April brings warm weather, quiet beaches, and better Cape Town hotel prize deals.

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