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Discover the "Big Five" as part of your South African trek
Cape Town & Western Cape Hotels
IN TOWN
While the trendiest place to stay in Cape Town right now is definitely on or near the waterfront, it’s easy to find a broad range of options to suit your needs without getting soaked. The height of luxury is the Table Bay Hotel (Quay 6, V&A Waterfront) features luxurious rooms at the doorstep of waterfront shops and attractions. Nestled at the foot of Table Mountain, the Mount Nelson Hotel (76 Orange St.) has upheld high standards of luxury and elegance since 1899. Some of the best value in town can be had at The Metropole (38 Long St.), Cape Town’s sexiest new boutique hotel; a Victorian building with the oldest working elevator in Cape Town, it sports a 21st-century makeover by designer François du Plessis, extra length beds, and travertine marble bathrooms – plus a top-notch breakfast of eggs benedict and ricotta hotcakes (included with stay) that give it that extra razzle for relatively little extra rand. Some of the best deals in town can be had at De Waterkant Village (1 Loader St.), an assortment of over 70 recently restored, fully serviced apartments and cottages situated in the oldest district in Cape Town; many of the brightly colored units have stunning views of the harbor and some of the cottages feature private plunge pools. Located within easy walking distance to the Cape Town city center and St. George’s Mall, the Fritz Hotel (1 Faure St.) is a good budget option furnished with Art Deco pieces; each of the ground floor suites has a small garden area.
ON THE BEACH
Whether you’re looking for a quiet beachside cottage for two ($315-$525) or a 6-room cliff-side Tuscan-style villa with its own funicular system ($1000-$2500), the well-appointed accommodations featured at Cape Town Villas exude the kind of hassle-free luxury you’d expect to find in the Mediterranean. Another place to find listings of rentals and guesthouses is Camps Bay Online. Just a five-minute stroll from the Clifton beaches, Clifton House (1 Clifton Rd.) offers unobstructed views of the rocky peaks of the imposing Twelve Apostles mountain range through the floor-to-ceiling windows of its five en suite rooms. Conveniently located in the heart of the palm-tree lined Camps Bay beachfront, Bay Hotel (69 Victoria Rd.) features 76 comfortable and stylish rooms and six suites. For warmer swimming options than the Atlantic Ocean, take a dip in their pool – or simply lay back in a deck chair with a good book. You may want to try their “pillow menu” before you conk out.
WESTERN CAPE WINE COUNTRY
Located amid the vineyards of the Western Cape, the Grande Roche Hotel features 29 uniquely appointed suites.
