Stays in Cape Town

Botany House is an adults-only boutique retreat in Cape Town, so it is not a fit for children. It has a sun terrace, a garden and a year-round outdoor swimming pool, with mountain views. Rooms include free Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, bathrobes and streaming services, and daily housekeeping is provided. A paid shuttle is available. A 9.8 rating from 78 reviews is outstanding, though the review base is small.

Labotessa is a luxury boutique stay in Cape Town's City Bowl, aimed at couples and families who want privacy and refinement. Suites are spacious with direct elevator access, air-conditioning, private bathrooms with Diptyque products and a refreshment station. A cafe, a terrace and a fragrance boutique are on site, and historical monuments and museums surround the hotel. The tone is quiet and sophisticated, not casual or child-oriented.

Mount Nelson suits families who want a grand, garden-filled base close to the city. The hotel stands on a lush garden estate in the city centre, with a spa, a pool and a tennis court, plus several accommodation wings, some with private gardens. Famous afternoon tea is served on the terrace, and mountain views are part of the setting. It is a refined, quiet property rather than a budget one, so it rewards families who enjoy a formal setting.

Derwent House is a boutique hotel in Cape Town with a pool, an outdoor Jacuzzi and mountain views. Families will like the self-catering studio, which makes meals and early bedtimes easier, and the short walk to the restaurants and shops of Kloof Street. Rooms are air-conditioned, fibre-optic WiFi is free, and a full solar back-up system keeps the power on. A 9.7 rating from 247 reviews is exceptional for a small property.

21 Nettleton is a five-star boutique hotel in Cape Town's Clifton district, with air-conditioned rooms, free Wi-Fi, a flat-screen TV with satellite channels and an iPad docking station. A bar, private parking and a public balcony with sea views are on site, and some units have a seating area. A 9.6 rating from 51 reviews is excellent, though the review base is small.

Dorp Hotel in Cape Town offers family rooms with private bathrooms, air conditioning and modern amenities. Each room has a work desk, free WiFi and a balcony with city or mountain views. Guests can use a sauna, a fitness centre, an outdoor swimming pool and a lush garden, and a restaurant serves South African cuisine with diverse dietary options. Rated 9.6 across 610 reviews, it is one of the best-reviewed hotels we list.

Swanemeer Apartments is an adults-only aparthotel in Cape Town, so families with children need another property. For adults, every apartment has air conditioning, a kitchenette, a balcony and a private bathroom, with garden views, a work desk and soundproofing. Terraces and outdoor seating are available, and check-in and check-out are private. Full-day security and free on-site parking are included. Guests give it a very high 9.6 across 131 reviews.

Ellerman House is an elegant five-star mansion in Bantry Bay with panoramic Atlantic Ocean views, a lush garden and an outdoor swimming pool. Rooms are individually decorated with classic furnishings, a balcony or terrace, satellite TV, a safe and tea and coffee facilities. A complimentary airport shuttle and a daily breakfast with Cape Malay influences are included. The style is refined, so it suits couples and older children. Guests score it 9.6 across 36 reviews.

The Cole Boutique Hotel & Spa is a five-star stay in Cape Town with direct beachfront access to Broken Bath Beach. Rooms have air-conditioning, balconies and minibars, and family rooms are available. An outdoor pool, a spa and wellness centre and free Wi-Fi complete the picture. A 9.5 rating from 56 reviews is exceptional, though the sample is small. I would recommend it for couples and for families who want the sea at the door.

Camissa House is a 5-star guesthouse in Cape Town with a swimming pool, a sun terrace and a bar, and rooms with mountain or sea views. Rooms are air-conditioned with private bathrooms and free WiFi. Breakfast comes as a buffet or à la carte, with vegetarian and vegan choices, which helps families with different diets. The tone is quiet and refined, so it suits couples and older children. Guests score it 9.4 across 51 reviews.

This large five-star suite at Taj Cape Town has a kitchenette, air conditioning and a balcony with city views, so a family gets self-catering flexibility inside a hotel. Guests can use extensive spa facilities, including a sauna, a fitness centre, an indoor swimming pool and a hot tub. The hotel's family-friendly restaurant serves Indian and international cuisine. Guests score it 9.3 across 45 reviews.

The Exhibition suits families and couples who want an aparthotel with space of their own. Renovated units have air-conditioning, kitchenettes and private bathrooms, and each apartment comes with a terrace, balcony or patio. The year-round outdoor pool and the games room keep children busy, while the lounge, coffee shop and barbecue facilities cover the rest. WiFi and private parking are free. It is a self-contained base, so expect self-catering rather than full hotel service.

The Cellars-Hohenort suits families who want a sophisticated estate base rather than a city hotel. It sits in the historic Constantia Valley on the slopes of Table Mountain, with rooms looking over gardens, vineyards or the mountain. Two swimming pools give children room to swim, and parents have two award-winning restaurants and a wellness spa with a steam room. The setting is serene and a little removed from the city.

Umoya Residence in Cape Town is a four-star property with a swimming pool, a sun terrace and a lush garden, so families have outdoor space in the city. Free WiFi, a 24-hour front desk, a concierge and free on-site private parking make logistics easy. Breakfast ranges from continental to a full English or Irish, which suits different appetites. A 9.3 rating from 208 reviews, with mountain views noted, is an excellent result for a small hotel.

One Kensington is a quiet boutique stay close to the city centre, best for small families and couples. Air-conditioned rooms have private bathrooms and bathrobes, with views of the garden or the pool. The outdoor pool, sun terrace and lush garden give children a place to cool off, and the concierge helps plan days out. Free WiFi covers the hotel and the front desk is open 24 hours. The mood is relaxed rather than lively.

Hotel Lola in Cape Town is adults-only, so it is not an option for families with children, and I say that plainly. Parents travelling without the kids, or grown-up family groups, will find a garden, a terrace and a bar, with balconies, garden or city views, a fireplace and a coffee machine in the rooms. Private check-in and free WiFi add comfort. A 9.3 rating from 534 reviews shows guests rate it highly.

Home Suite Hotels Sea Point has family rooms with sea or city views, air-conditioning, private bathrooms, balconies, work desks and free Wi-Fi. A rooftop swimming pool, a sun terrace and an outdoor seating area give families somewhere to relax. The modern, family-friendly restaurant serves a variety of cuisines for lunch and dinner, with diverse breakfast options. A 9.3 rating from 1,888 reviews is outstanding. I would recommend it for families who want a balcony and a rooftop pool.

The Vineyard Hotel sits at the foot of the eastern slopes of Table Mountain in Newlands, with elegant rooms that have either garden or mountain views. Heritage charm, lush landscaped grounds, indoor and outdoor swimming pools and a gym give families plenty of room to spread out. A 9.3 rating from 1,335 reviews is excellent and well tested, so this is a safe four-star pick.

Pineapple House is a boutique hotel in Cape Town where the terrace is the draw: it looks over the pool toward the mountain. Rooms are air-conditioned with bathrobes and free WiFi, and the outdoor pool stays open year-round. A choice of breakfast options is served daily. With a 9.3 rating, I would recommend it for a quiet, well-kept stay rather than a busy city-centre base.

Cape Heritage Hotel is an award-winning boutique hotel in Heritage Square in Cape Town. It has a rooftop jacuzzi pool, and its chic rooms blend European and African design. Each room has its own character, with extra-long beds and a pillow menu, and some add teak ceilings or large living areas. Guests rate it 9.2 across 723 reviews. It suits couples and travellers who value individual rooms and a central address over a big resort.

Station House is a four-star Cape Town hotel with air-conditioned rooms, city views, a work desk and free Wi-Fi in every room. A rooftop swimming pool, a fitness centre, a sun terrace and a restaurant serving varied cuisines give families and business guests plenty to use without leaving the building. A 9.1 rating from 2,456 reviews is excellent and well tested, so this is a safe city pick.

South Beach suits families who want a suite with a kitchen and a beach 50 metres away. The self-catering suites have ocean views and come with daily stocked breakfast items, so mornings can be easy with children. There are two pools, one heated in summer, plus sundecks and a bar. The Camps Bay promenade with its restaurants and bars is right outside, which is lively in the evening. Families wanting total quiet should ask for a higher room.

Cloud 9 Boutique Hotel and Spa in Tamboerskloof offers a pool, mountain views and a wellness centre. Rooms have a Nespresso machine, a Smart TV with Netflix, air conditioning and high-speed Wi-Fi, and select rooms look onto Table Mountain. Some bathrooms include a bath. A 9.1 rating from 923 reviews is excellent and well tested, making it a polished boutique pick in Cape Town.

Hotel on the Promenade is a boutique-style stay 50 metres from the Sea Point Promenade, which makes it a good base for families who like to walk by the ocean. Rooms are elegantly furnished, with private bathrooms and large flat-screen TVs, and the stylish restaurant and bar handle dinners. The V&A Waterfront is within easy reach. Evenings are quiet, so it suits families and honeymooners more than nightlife seekers.

This is an adult-leaning boutique hotel, with a plunge pool rather than a family pool and a quiet, refined mood. Families with older children who enjoy walking will appreciate the Gardens location, a short stroll from Kloof Street and the Company's Garden, with Table Mountain's lower cableway station a short drive up the hill. Parents of toddlers may prefer a hotel with more space and family rooms, so check room options before booking.

Newkings is a four-star boutique hotel on Cape Town's Atlantic Seaboard, and the setting is the reason to choose it. The cocktail bar looks toward Lion's Head and the Atlantic, so sunset drinks need no trip. Rooms are spacious and open-plan with modern furnishings and LCD TVs. A spa centre is nearby, and laundry and car hire are offered. With an 8.7 rating, I would recommend it for couples and adults, less for a pool-based family week.

Century City Hotel Urban Square offers modern rooms with mountain views, some with a seating area, and direct access to Canal Walk Shopping Centre with its many shops and restaurants. Free Wi-Fi covers the property and a restaurant serves daily breakfast. A conference centre is on site. An 8.6 rating from 866 reviews is good and well tested, so it works for shoppers, families and business guests.

SunSquare City Bowl suits families who want a central base and are happy to explore on foot. The enclosed rooftop pool gives children a place to swim whatever the weather, and parents get a fitness centre, a restaurant and a rooftop bar. Rooms are air-conditioned, with free WiFi, and secure parking is available. Some rooms look over the city, the harbour or Table Mountain. It is a city hotel, so expect urban surroundings rather than gardens.

The Grey is adults-only, so it is not an option for families with children, and I would point them to another Cape Town hotel. Couples or adult family groups will find a boutique base in De Waterkant, with a rooftop bar and outdoor pool facing Table Mountain. Rooms are air-conditioned and individually decorated, each with a private bathroom, and free WiFi covers the whole hotel. The neighbourhood is lively, so this suits guests who like an energetic setting.

Garden Court Nelson Mandela Boulevard is a Cape Town hotel with easy access to the major highways, a restaurant and a pool. Air-conditioned rooms have satellite TV and views over Table Bay, Devil's Peak and Robben Island, and rooms for disabled guests are available. A self-service workstation is on hand. A 7.8 rating from 2,764 reviews is good. I would recommend it for practical city stays with a view, especially for drivers.