Image to the left of Cape Grace Hotel
Continuously voted number one city in the world by notable travel magazines and organizations, Cape Town is a must-visit destination for families looking to get a refreshing jolt of vibrant culture, adventure, fantastic cuisine, history, and so much more.
Below are 5 of our favorite, accommodations in Cape Town for a South Africa family vacation:
Cape Grace Hotel: Imagine waking up to the sun rising over Table Mountain as you look out onto the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront harbor, spotting seals splashing about as boats pull in and out of the harbor. You open your French-style doors to a balcony, inviting the refreshing South African seaside breeze into your room. You don’t even have to wake the kids up because they’re so excited to start the day they actually get up on their own!
This is a typical morning at Cape Grace Hotel–although nothing is typical about this lavish 5-Star hotel!
Because Cape Grace is located on the V&A Waterfront, guests can enjoy a wide spectrum of family-friendly attractions and activities, including hot Cape Town dining spots, Two Oceans Aquarium, great shopping, and so much more. The hotel even has a kids program, so if you and your spouse want to enjoy a dinner for two, couple’s massage, or a private yacht cruise, you can rest assured knowing the kids are having fun and are in good hands.
Upon arrival to the hotel, children are given a Cape Grace welcome gift and can take part in a variety of activities, including story-time, gingerbread-man decorating, board games, Wii video games, watching Animal Planet, and more. The hotel also offers a professional babysitting service so you know your children are in excellent hands at all times.
12 Apostles Hotel: Situated right on the ocean, 12 Apostles Hotel is one of the most stunning properties in all of Cape Town, offering breathtaking views of dramatic mountains and the sparkling ocean. Guests can often spot whales and dolphins from the hotel’s award-winning Azure Restaurant. In addition to spectacular views and cuisine, 12 Apostles also features an elegant spa for some much-needed pampering, and a 16-seater cinema–perfect for family movie night! And while you’re enjoying your movie, 12 Apostles’ exceptional staff will treat you with popcorn, ice cream, hot chocolate, milkshakes, and sweets–no better way to watch a movie than with some sweet and savory snacks! Families can even reserve the cinema to themselves and select from a variety of films to watch, including classics, comedy, adventure, drama, and foreign genres.
The hotel is also situated in the Table Mountain National Park, which is celebrated for its exotic plant species–something you and your family can explore on a picnic!
Image above taken from 12 Apostles hotel
Cape Royale Luxury Hotel & Spa: Well, as you can see by the name, Cape Royale is a 5-Star property with arguably the BEST spa in Cape Town, the Equinox Spa. While you and your spouse are enjoying VIP treatment in the spa, you can rest easy with the knowledge that your children are in good hands with Cape Royale’s children-sitting service. And for an exciting day of family fun, enjoy a 10-minute walk to the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront to go shopping, eat at tasty restaurants, and simply enjoy the beautiful Cape Town weather as you overlook the bustling harbor.
In addition to its award-winning spa, Cape Royale also boasts internationally acclaimed accommodations that are all beautifully appointed with contemporary decor and a sophisticated style. The hotel also features an exceptional steak house, Bistro 1800.
Image above taken from Cape Royale Luxury Hotel & Spa
One&Only Cape Town: Cape Town’s self-proclaimed urban-chic resort, One&Only, is a fantastic family-friendly property that offers children and parents alike an exceptional family experience. In fact, One&Only Cape Town offers a KidsOnly program for children ages 4 to eleven, as well as teen programs for kids ages 12 to 17.
While mom and dad are enjoying the riches of Cape Town culture and cuisine, kids can enjoy educational puppet shows, traditional African story telling, sing-alongs, and exceptional culinary experiences with the chef! Kids can also participate in jewelry making, ostrich egg painting, African dance and yoga, soccer, badminton, volleyball, and more. Children are also welcome to embark on supervised KidsOnly excursions to Butterfly World, Two Oceans Aquarium, the Planetarium, and the local Penguin Colony. As you can see, it’s impossible for children to get bored at One&Only!
One&Only Cape Town is also highly acclaimed for its culinary atmosphere. The famous Michelin-starred chef Nobuyuki Matsuhisa serves up first-class cuisine in his first-ever restaurant in Africa, Nobu, while local chef Reuben Riffel creates culinary masterpieces in Rueben’s restaurant. Both restaurants are located on the One&Only resort and are connected by the Vista Bar & Lounge.
Image above taken from One&Only Cape Town
More Quarters: Arguably the most stylish and luxurious apartment building in Cape Town, More Quarters operates as an apartment hotel, offering guests lavish, full living quarters that include all the amenities you could possibly need and / or want! This is a fantastic option for families who want to stay in the comfort of their own room for a meal and cook in the kitchen (or get take out!), and also for families looking for lots of comfortable living space.
Every morning a breakfast buffet is served in More Quarters and picnic baskets can be arranged on request to enjoy at the top of Table Mountain. The hotel is also within walking distance to some of Cape Town’s hottest restaurants, coffee shops, boutiques, and stores, so you’ll always feel in the midst of city life.
Image above taken from More Quarters
To view some of the top activities in Cape Town, visit our previous blog post on 10 Reasons to Visit Cape Town.
Need help planning your South Africa family vacation? Click here!