Ellerman House in Bantry Bay is our pick for the best luxury hotel in Cape Town in 2026, followed by The Silo Hotel on the Waterfront. This list ranks 10 five-star hotels using three factors: small scale and privacy, location, and what has changed since 2024, including new openings and major refurbishments.
| Rank | Hotel | Area | Rooms |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ellerman House | Bantry Bay | 13 rooms and suites, plus 2 villas |
| 2 | The Silo Hotel | V&A Waterfront | 28 |
| 3 | One&Only Cape Town | V&A Waterfront | Not confirmed |
| 4 | Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa | Camps Bay | 70 |
| 5 | Mount Nelson, A Belmond Hotel | Gardens | 199 |
| 6 | The Cole Boutique Hotel and Spa | Cape Town | 47 |
| 7 | Cape Grace | V&A Waterfront | About 112 to 120 |
| 8 | InterContinental Table Bay | V&A Waterfront | 306 |
| 9 | Taj Cape Town | City centre | 176 |
| 10 | The Cape Town EDITION | V&A Waterfront | 142 plus 6 residences |
10. The Cape Town EDITION: new for 2026
Marriott’s EDITION brand is opening its first African hotel in the Waterfront's Quay 7 district, with the brand listing it as opening in late 2026. Plans list 142 rooms and suites and six private residences, with a rooftop bar, spa and pool.
Our take: it earns a place for scale and brand, but we hold it at 10 until guest reports confirm the service. Check the opening date before booking, as it has not been confirmed by the brand.
9. Taj Cape Town: a historic centre-city base
The Taj occupies two refurbished historic buildings, the former South African Reserve Bank and Temple Chambers, plus a modern tower. Rooms number 176, and it sits in the old city centre.
Why this rank: strong location and heritage, but larger and less private than the hotels above.
8. InterContinental Table Bay: the waterfront reborn
The former Table Bay Hotel, opened in 1997, closed for a refurbishment of around R1 billion and reopened under the InterContinental name in 2026. It has 306 rooms, including suites.
Placement: a fresh refit and the best waterfront position, though its size pushes it down.
7. Cape Grace: a private quay on the Waterfront
Cape Grace sits on a quay in the V&A Waterfront and is managed by Fairmont. The property offers a spa, outdoor pool, the Signal restaurant and the Bascule bar.
Verdict: we value its location and service, but reported room counts vary from 112 to 120.
6. The Cole Boutique Hotel and Spa: a 2025 newcomer
The Cole opened in 2025 as a five-star boutique with 47 rooms, an outdoor pool, a spa and balconies.
Our reasoning: it is new, small and well rated, but has a short track record.
5. Mount Nelson, A Belmond Hotel: the city’s classic address
The pink-painted Mount Nelson opened in 1899 and has 199 rooms in gardens below Table Mountain. Grounds include two pools, a spa, a tennis court and a famous afternoon tea.
The case for it: heritage and grounds are unmatched in the city, but its size means less privacy.
4. Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa: Atlantic views
This 70-room hotel sits between the Table Mountain National Park and the Atlantic coast near Camps Bay. Amenities include a heated infinity pool, a spa and a private cinema.
Ranking logic: dramatic setting and a mid-sized, resort feel.
3. One&Only Cape Town: marina-side resort
One&Only Cape Town is built around a private marina on the Waterfront. The resort adds a large spa and a Nobu restaurant.
Where it lands: strong amenities and location, though its size is larger than the boutique picks. Room counts differ between sources, so we do not list one.
2. The Silo Hotel: above an art museum
The Silo opened in 2017 in the top floors of a converted grain silo, above the Zeitz MOCAA museum. Heatherwick Studio designed the conversion, and the hotel has just 28 rooms.
What decides it: very small and design-led, and in the best waterfront spot.
1. Ellerman House: Cape Town’s most private stay
Ellerman House sits on the slopes of Lion’s Head in Bantry Bay. The house offers 13 rooms and suites plus two private villas with infinity pools.
It is known for a museum-level collection of South African art, including works by Irma Stern and Maggie Laubser, and a wine gallery of roughly 9,000 bottles.
Why it leads: the lowest room count and the strongest art and wine offer put it at the top.
FAQ
What is the best luxury hotel in Cape Town in 2026?
Ellerman House in Bantry Bay, because of its small size, art collection and private villas.
Which Cape Town hotel is new in 2026?
The Cape Town EDITION is scheduled to open in late 2026, and the InterContinental Table Bay reopened after a refit.
Where is the best area to stay in Cape Town?
The V&A Waterfront for convenience, Bantry Bay or Camps Bay for sea views, and Gardens for the city bowl.
Which Cape Town hotel has the fewest rooms?
Ellerman House, with 13 rooms and suites plus two villas.
Which hotels were removed from the old list?
We dropped African Pride Crystal Towers, 15 On Orange and Cape Royale because we could not verify their current status.
How we put this list together
We checked room counts, locations, openings and refurbishments against hotel and trade information from 2025 and 2026. We ranked hotels on privacy, location and recent changes.
Last updated: October 2026.
