Cape Town is home to a number of top end hotels catering for both the business and leisure traveller, and most of these hotels are of international standard. We love luxury rooms hiding behind expansive glass windows, swanky cocktail bars and business lounges; but sometimes we want something a little different. Something that offers an elite sense of privacy and luxury but has hints of authentic Cape. We want a cocktail of classy and historical. Something that makes us feel like we’re entrenched in the history of Cape Town. With that being said, we’ve come up with 4 hotels in Cape Town that are not only hotels but also landmarks.
There plenty more on the list, but these are our 4 MUST see historical hotels in Cape Town.
Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel in the Centre of Cape Town
The foot of Table Mountain is home to a hotel that is probably one of Cape Town’s finest hotels in terms of history and heritage. The hotel is smothered in a salmon pink paint, ensuring it stands out from the crowd. But its colour bears plenty of meaning. It was painted pink for peace during 1918, and has remained the same colour ever since. The Mount Nelson is plush, ornate and grand. It’s THE destination for an authentic high tea experience and the entire atmosphere is a delightful cross between modern times and old world charm.
There are a variety of suites and garden cottage suites, each of which is dotted throughout the gardens or in the main hotel. There are 7 wings to the hotel, and some of the rooms have balconies while others are more equipped for families travelling together.
The Mount Nelson is the grand old lady of Cape Town, and she’s worth your time. Our team visited and loved every moment!
The Heritage hotel is a unique hotel in that it combines an eclectic designer feel with the ancients of Cape Town. Conveniently located on Heritage Square, this bold boutique hotel is cocooned in a buzzing area of the city centre. Situated across the road from the colourful and significant Bo Kaap area, the Heritage is the ideal base for those seeking a cultural stay combined with fine dining opportunities.
There are 17 well-appointed bedrooms that make-up this hotel, and there are numerous eateries on the square. The Heritage Hotel has a beautiful courtyard and is ideal for coffee meet-ups and dinners out.
Five Star Colona Castle on the False Bay Coast
This 5 star classic hotel is set against a backdrop of mountain splendour. Located along the False Bay Coast, it’s the perfect base for guests wanting to stay in a boutique hotel located halfway between the city centre and the Cape Point Nature Reserve. It’s a hotel well-known in golfing circles, as it has easy access to 3 premier golf courses, namely : Steenberg, Clovelly and Westlake.
With its location just below the scenic Boyes Drive, it means the vistas are nothing short of spectacular. There are wrap-around views of Muizenberg Beach, Lakeside and the coastline beyond. Colona most certainly is a magical luxury boutique hotel. This intimate destination has only 5 full suites and 3 bedroom suites, which means there is a sense of exclusivity at Colona. There is an award-winning chef serving gourmet meals catering for any type of dietary requirements, and when guests aren’t indulging their flair for gastronomy they can relax at the poolside and enjoy expansive views of the Cape’s southern suburbs.
Stellenbosch’s Oude Werf Hotel in the Popular Cape Winelands
This historical Cape winelands hotel is located in the midst of the buzzing student town of Stellenbosch, on Church Street – a street steeped in history and famed for its monuments. The Oude Werf is the pinnacle of that history and while ancient in its structure, its interior is nothing short of modern.
This is the oldest working hotel in South Africa and the actual building dates back to 1686 when it was a modest thatch-roofed landmark. Today it is a charming hotel with a focus on offering guests a sense of luxurious comfort in an ancient building. There are 3 types of rooms – Superior, Luxury and Deluxe, each offering its guests the opportunity to stay in open-plan rooms furnished with relics from a bygone era.
Located close to street located close to restaurants, cafes and the famous bric-a-brac relic of a store called Oom Samie’s se Winkel; Oude Werf is certainly the central place to stay in the winelands. This really is the quintessential hotel for a travelling historian!
