Best Urban Hotels in South Africa

Converted from an Edwardian era mansion, Ellerman House offers a pristine view of the Atlantic Ocean and littoral. It is right by Clifton beach, and only a few kilometres away from both Cape Town city centre and Table Mountain National Park. Every room offers you heated floors, a flat-screen TV and a minibar. The more premium rooms come with a balcony, antique furniture, and an ocean view, as well as a private lounge and dining areas. The villas include a private pool and your own staff. Free to every guest is parking, breakfast and a shuttle, as well as a pantry and cocktails in the evening. The restaurant offers food that comes straight from farm to table. You can also take advantage of the spa, art gallery and outdoor pool.

Westcliff village is an affluent district and it’s here that the Four Seasons established their hotel. Set on a hillside and surrounded by gardens, fountains and courtyards, the accommodation is stylish, with classic hints and nods to African culture. The restaurant, Flames, serves fine regionally inspired dishes (including braai food) and has a terrace offering far-reaching views. There’s also an alfresco spa lounge, where guests can order lighter bites and healthy dishes. The spa itself provides harmonising relaxation experiences, with a dreamy 25-metre adults-only lap pool. Families have their own pool area to enjoy, as well as excellent facilities catering to children.

In the vein of a posh villa, this lovely hotel is only 15 minutes away from the middle of Cape Town. With gentle colours and marble fixtures in the bathrooms, the rooms at Belmont Mount Nelson offer a sumptuous experience. With some rooms, you can get a view of Table Top Mountain, a balcony, a 4 poster bed, a private kitchen, and even your own little courtyard. Diners can enjoy Mediterranean style dinner, or British style afternoon tea, as well as visit the gym, spa and two outdoor pools.

One & Only is a high-end option for the distinguished traveller. Located on the busy waterfront with views of Table Mountain, this hotel is only a short walk from the Cape Town Diamond Museum. Every room at The One & Only Cape Town has free WiFi, a flat-screen TV, and a private balcony, and some also offer kitchens, a fireplace and even a butler. One & Only Cape Town features a famed Japanese restaurant and also includes a pool, spa and fitness centre.

The Silo is an option for those looking for something a little quirky and different, but equally luxurious: converted from an early 20th-century grain elevator, this hotel sits by the harbour with a panoramic mountain view. Each room offers its own unique decor and antique furniture, as well as a balcony, chandelier and free WiFi. Breakfast is free. Guests can enjoy the in house spa and gym, plus the rooftop restaurant and outdoor pool.

As the name would suggest, this boutique establishment has strong French connections, as seen in the classic, fresh approach to the rooms’ decor. Its restaurant, Protégé, offers an on-trend dining experience, with small plates calling on Asian, French and Italian influences. Diners can watch the chefs at work via the interior’s central show kitchen, or take advantage of the balmy South African evenings with a meal on the terrace. Guests can also enjoy a meal at the intimate Épice. Leeu Spa by Healing Earth provides wellness treatments using local natural resources, such as the Pinotage grape, which contains many therapeutic properties.

Park Hyatt Johannesburg brings an intimate expression of refined luxury to the vibrant Rosebank district, offering a serene residential-style retreat in the heart of the city. Housed in a restored 1930s colonial mansion, the hotel blends architectural heritage with contemporary design across just 31 elegant rooms and suites, many with private patios and garden views. Interiors feature plush linens, deep soaking tubs, curated South African artwork and bespoke touches inspired by the country’s rich botanical and cultural heritage. At the heart of the property is an open-air courtyard with sculpted gardens, a jacaranda tree and a heated outdoor pool. Dining is led by Room 32, an immersive restaurant showcasing live-fire cooking and seasonal ingredients, while The Lounge offers fine wines, cocktails and cigars in a relaxed, elegant setting. A spa and fitness centre complement the experience, alongside curated art and a collaboration with Assouline to bring literary and design sophistication into the public and private spaces. Thoughtfully crafted and deeply personal, Park Hyatt Johannesburg offers a modern retreat grounded in local culture and history.

Cape Grace, A Fairmont Managed Hotel, has reopened on Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront following a design transformation by 1508 London, celebrating South Africa’s heritage and artistry. The hotel, now the first Fairmont Hotel in South Africa, features interiors showcasing local artwork and materials that harmonize with the natural surroundings. Each of the 112 rooms and suites offers views of the Marina or Table Mountain, with the Cape Grace Suite providing an expansive terrace and luxurious amenities. Chef Gregory Czarnecki leads the culinary vision at the new Heirloom restaurant, featuring a Tasting Menu of South African-inspired dishes. Additional dining options include a Pool Bar, Library Lounge, and the revamped Bascule Bar & Lounge. The hotel presents guests with the serene Fairmont Spa with treatments inspired by local natural elements ​​including tailored bath rituals, jet lag recovery, detox massages, a salt room experience, guided meditation and tailored packages to help guests benefit from the ultimate relaxation.

Found nestled in the middle of the inner city on St George’s Mall, not far from all the most popular attractions, Taj Cape Town is a truly luxurious place to spend your stay. From the window, you’ll get a beautiful view of Table Mountain and the city skyline. The restaurant has the best Indian food in Cape Town, as well as a renowned buffet breakfast. Taj Cape Town also offers you a library, gym, conference spaces, and an indoor pool with spa.

Labotessa, opened in Cape Town in 2019 and has firmly positioned itself as one of the region’s leading boutique hotels. The hotel comprises just eight suites, and perfectly encapsulates European charm. Guests are presented with an elegant blend of its 17th Century heritage along with sleek modern design showcased in large open plan living spaces whilst impeccable service and exceptional attention to detail form part of the hotel’s many finest attributes. Labotessa is also home to the largest Presidential Suite in the city, which spans 310 square metres and delivers unrivalled views of the historic setting and mountain backdrop. Located in Church Square, adjacent to the historic Groote Kerk, the oldest Christian church in South Africa, the hotel offers easy access to Cape Town’s endless attractions and hotspots; including the city’s creative bars and restaurants, the vibrant V&A Waterfront, the extraordinary cultural attractions including Iziko South African Museum and Zeitz MOCAA (Museum of Contemporary Art Africa), and the famous African sunsets at the city’s beaches.

Radisson Collection Hotel, Waterfront Cape Town. Situated on the city’s Atlantic coastline, brings a new level of contemporary refinement to Cape Town’s high-end hospitality landscape. The 175-room hotel draws design inspiration from its spectacular surroundings — the meeting point of Table Mountain, ocean, and sky. Natural materials like stone, timber, and brass are paired with oceanic hues and earthy neutrals, creating interiors that are both calming and tactile. Locally sourced art, a curated in-house gallery, and bespoke design touches celebrate Cape Town’s vibrant cultural and natural heritage. Guest rooms feature floor-to-ceiling windows and private balconies offering views over the marina or Atlantic, with interiors blending metallic finishes and organic textures for an elevated, tranquil stay. Dining options include the iconic Tobago’s Restaurant, Bar & Terrace, known for fresh, local cuisine and panoramic ocean views. The Waveside Café adds a more casual offering, serving light meals and artisanal deli items. Leisure facilities include an infinity pool, 24-hour fitness centre, and the Amani Spa & Wellness Centre.

A popular choice for the business traveller needing a prime city-centre location, this large property offers 326 rooms and suites, as well as an in-house convention centre and direct access into Sandton Mall. Those booking the top tier of room, benefit from split level accommodation with a private Jacuzzi, a bar, and alfresco dining space. The rooftop pool and spa offer an opportunity to relax and unwind, while a rooftop restaurant, Jozi-style fine dining establishment, the Library Lounge and a further bar, provide high-quality food and drinks. Guests at the five-star hotel also have access to a gym, a free Gautrain station shuttle and a three-hour laundry service.