Eat Play Stay At These Stunning Cape Town Hotels

Three magnificent hotels in Cape Town where you can enjoy a drink and a meal, or be pampered with a stay in summer in the Southern Hemisphere (November to March)

Cape Town has long been known as a coveted holiday destination. International visitors flock there during the summer in the Southern Hemisphere to enjoy the magnificent scenery, warm summer days and golden beaches. Whether you choose to stay by the sea, or further inland, you’re in for a treat. And if you just want to visit to enjoy a sundowner, these three hotels are perfect gems.

Gorgeous George

Cape Town’s inner city buzzes after dark, which is why a visit to trendy Gorgeous George is a must. It’s a great place to stay if you prefer to keep away from the crowds and enjoy the magic of the inner-city.

Gorgeous George is the result of a transformation of two 1940s-style buildings which have been connected for decades, one Art Deco, the other New Edwardian. This gorgeous boutique hotel offers 20 rooms and 12 suites that manage to harmoniously blend the building’s two styles. The result is a creative mix of concrete and steel, a touch of Victorian elements, magical African influences and contemporary design.

The hotel’s spacious reception area is decorated in hand-painted 1800 blue and white Delft-inspired ceramic tiles and the guestrooms portraying a color palette of blues, whites and mountainside greenery. On the roof visitors can enjoy a welcoming terrace and swimming pool, set in a lush oasis that offers stunning city views during the day and sparkling glory at night.

Décor throughout is by celebrated local interior designer Tristan du Plessis, who has managed to combine the styles of the two disparate buildings and the personality of the hotel into one Gorgeous George experience. The hotel is not only a great place to stay when you visit Cape Town, it’s the place to visit to enjoy drinks or a stunning meal.

Gigi Rooftop at Gorgeous George is where Cape Town and its visitors come to play. The hotel’s 6^th floor rooftop location is open all day, for breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as sundowners and poolside fun. There’s a second fine dining restaurant and the bar is a favorite spot for locals and visitors alike. Gorgeous George is also very musically oriented and offers plenty of entertainment; on the first floor, guests visit the Pink Room to enjoy live music, bands, film nights, comedy shows and art exhibitions. And on the rooftop, DJs play music throughout the weekend starting on Friday nights.

The Bay Hotel

Camps Bay is one of Cape Town’s most popular locations, with an unrivaled sea and beach view. The Bay Hotel overlooks the sea and the famous beach, making it a popular choice for a holiday in South Africa’s Mother City. But there’s more to The Bay than just the beach and the sea. The sunsets here are quite spectacular, and a very good reason to stay at The Bay.

The hotel is also right on Camps Bay Strip, where many fabulous restaurants are located. So it’s an ideal location if you don’t want to stray far – you’ve got the beach over the road, and the Atlantic Ocean as well as stunning eateries day and night (after dark The Strip is full of a vibrant nightlife). Then there’s the unbeatable sunset every day of the week, with magical views of Lion’s Head, the Twelve Apostles mountain range stretching towards Hout Bay, and the back of iconic Table Mountain.

The Bay is Camps Bay’s luxurious beachfront escape. It’s an exclusive hotel where regulars can become members, offering exceptional service and unbeatable experiences.

Membership is well worth the additional fee. The membership program offers exceptional benefits that include co-working spaces, business facilities, a gym called Mint Wellness, sauna and steam room, and best of all, membership to the hotel’s stunning Sandy B Private Beach Club. This is where guests come to enjoy that legendary sunset every night before enjoying a night out on the Strip, or at one of The Bay Hotel’s four exclusive restaurants.

Sandy B Private Beach Club is at a separate cost. It’s a sophisticated venue where guests over the age of 18 enjoy sundowners and light meals in exclusive privacy. Situated on a wooden deck overlooking Camps Bay’s iconic Sunset Strip, it’s the place to see and be seen while enjoying cocktails or bubbly.

You don’t have to stay at this iconic hotel to enjoy Sandy B Private Beach Club, but the choice of excellent accommodation makes it a winner in every way. The Bay Hotel’s facilities are legendary, and its idyllic location right on the beachfront makes it a very sought-after place to stay.

Mount Nelson Hotel

Nestling at the foot of Table Mountain in the Gardens, with its own glorious greenery to relax in, The magnificent Mount Nelson Hotel is a Cape Town landmark. Whether you stay here, or just come for a drink and a bite to eat, you’re in for a bucket list experience.

Many international travelers call The Mount Nelson, or Nellie (that’s her nickname) their home when they visit the Fairest Cape. And for good reason. This hotel, part of the prestigious Belmond Group, offers an exceptional luxury experience. Like its sister hotels around the world, the Mount Nelson prides itself on its incredible offerings – service is impeccable, the surroundings are exquisite and the facilities are on another level entirely. If you’re staying elsewhere, you must come and visit one evening, or afternoon. A visit to the Nellie is a must.

Come for the hotel’s legendary High Tea in the hotel Lounge in the afternoon, or join the throngs for sundowners or pre-dinner drinks at the Planet Bar, which is timeless and elegant and a popular drinking spot. The views of the hotel’s lush gardens and magical Table Mountain are unsurpassed, and you can succumb to the splendor of this stylish bar with its cosy seating and luxurious tipples.

The Planet Bar is at its best in the summer months, when the rich and famous come to play, see and be seen. People-watching from the terrace is a popular pastime – you’re likely to spot many famous faces here who’ve come to enjoy the sunset or prepare themselves for a gourmet dinner.

If you decide to stay at this glorious hotel, you’re in for a sumptuous treat. Rooms at the Nellie are exceptionally plush – Belmond is renowned for its sumptuous décor and luxurious facilities. Service is, of course, impeccable, and the food is a delight, even if you’re just ordering room service.