"Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront is a fairly modern affair of shiny shopping mall, behemoth Ferris wheel, and massive harborside restaurants, to name a few highlights. Which is what makes the stylish Dock House stand out from its overly commercial environs. Built in the 1800s as the residence of the harbor master, this sumptuous boutique abode seems transported straight from the Victorian era into the 21st century, with its gracious white balconies, crystal chandeliers, and rolling lawn seamlessly complemented by flat-screen TVs and state-of-the-art bathrooms. One Old World perk guests can definitely get behind: the butler service. When guests do want to reenter the modern world, all its finest conveniences are a few feet away. But with the glut of mega-resorts surrounding the Waterfront district, the Dock House is a refreshingly understated gem, an intimate villa-style retreat that feels like a private sanctuary amid the hubbub."