Best Adults-Only Stays in Cape Town for Couples

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.