Elegant townhouse, bohemian chic, fine dining, personalized service
5 Upper Union St, Gardens, Cape Town, 8001, South Africa Get directions
"Start us off with an overview.This 15-room Georgian-era townhouse, tucked away in a residential street in Gardens (a fashionable neighborhood known for its restaurants, bars, and interior shops), is full of surprises. From the outside, it looks like a stand-alone private home complete with crisp white paintwork, black shutters, manicured front garden and tucked away pool terrace. Step inside and you enter a labyrinth of Bohemian chic-meets-contemporary cool interiors, upstairs and downstairs, that forms part of a village with sister property More Quarters. As you walk in, there’s an elegant lounge with dark velvet sofas and a fireplace to the right, and a reception area down the picture-lined passage. A breakfast room leads into a sunny courtyard with lush plants and a small pool. Who else is there?Street-wise, independent travelers wanting to immerse themselves in the city, and live like locals without any of the hassle. How was check-in? It feels like you’re being welcomed into a private home, as the staff have been trained to the highest standards by the owners, who own several luxury lodges in private game reserves in South Africa and Zimbabwe. You really don’t have to think, as they do everything for you. Jewel-bright macarons and sweets set a tone of abundant generosity at check-in. Tell us about your room.I stayed in a street-level luxury suite with its own spacious sun terrace and private pool. it had a separate lounge with a generous minibar, Nespresso machine and the bedroom was open-plan to the bathroom, although the loo and shower were glassed in. Request a room with a separate bathroom if you prefer. Upstairs rooms have Table Mountain views from tiny view balconies. Do they serve food on-site here, and if so, how is it?A hearty breakfast with lots of healthy choices is included in the rate. There are dozens of excellent restaurants within walking distance, although you are also welcome to order takeouts—served in the dining room or in your room. How about the staff? Anyone you'd like to thank for a job well done?I wanted to walk to the Mount Nelson, a few blocks down, but one of the hotel’s security guard insisted on walking with me and seeing me safely through the gates. When I wanted to walk back, the hotel driver came to pick me up. Anything else you want to note, or features you're still dreaming about?A listed national monument, the original 19th century Georgian house with Victorian influences was transformed into a small hotel as part of a larger project by the owners, the More family, to inject new life into the quaint streets surrounding it. A second establishment, More Quarters, includes self-catering studios ideal for families. The entire hotel has fast fibre-optic internet access, double glazing on all the windows to muffle any city sounds, and in-house tour guides with vehicles at the ready to whisk guests up Signal Hill to run on the mountain trails or watch the sun rise over the city while tucking into a picnic breakfast. There are always freshly baked macarons at the front desk to nibble on, and an Apple Mac and library for guest use. Bottom line: worth it, and why?It won’t be easy to find a smart room in such a brilliant location, as slickly managed, luxurious or private as Cape Cadogan at this price anywhere else in Cape Town." - Jane Broughton
"This elegant 15-room Georgian-era townhouse is tucked away in a residential street in Gardens, a fashionable, upbeat neighborhood known for its restaurants, bars, and interior design shops. Table Mountain forms a majestic backdrop, Lion’s Head beckons. From the outside, Cape Cadogan looks like a beautiful private home complete with crisp white paintwork, black shutters, manicured garden, and pool terrace. Step inside and you enter a world of Bohemian chic. It won’t be easy to find a smart room in such a brilliant location, as slickly managed, luxurious, or private at this price anywhere else in Cape Town." - Jane Broughton
"Cape Cadogan is an elegant hotel is nestled in Gardens, situated above the central business district of Cape Town. It boasts lush gardens, a plunge pool and sun terrace. The air-conditioned rooms feature a seating area, flat-screen satellite TV and a minibar. Extras include a desk, tea-and-coffee-making facilities and free toiletries. Free WiFi is offered. At Cape Cadogan breakfast is served in the charming dining room and guests can enjoy a drink at the bar. Guests can explore the vibrant city of Cape Town including nearby attractions ranging from Long Street a 10-minute walk away, Table Mountain is within 4 km, V&A Waterfront is 4.5 km away and Camps Bay Beach can be reached in 5 km. The 24-hour front desk can arrange an airport shuttle upon request at an additional fee. Cape Town International Airport is 21 km away." - My Boutique Hotel (en)
"Dating back to the early 19th century, Cape Cadogan is such a perfect example of Cape Dutch architecture that it was made a national monument in 1984. To this day it oozes charm and character. As we walked through the garden’s flawless topiary, the veranda’s Georgian pillars and billowing white drapes indicated that we’d found one of Cape Town’s true gems. This stately home contains 19 luxurious rooms, while neighbouring buildings conceal a handful of modern one- to two-bedroom apartments and a couple of high-end villas. There's a fantastic restaurant and bar offering top-notch delights, and with Kloof Street just a stroll away, we felt we were really experiencing the highlights of Cape Town’s first-rate food and drink scene - the street really comes alive at night. And what about further afield? Well, Cape Cadogan’s complimentary mini bus transfers run within a 4-mile radius of the hotel, so we ventured everywhere from the Table Mountain cable car to the V&A Waterfront. But no matter how far we strayed, there was always a reason to return to Cape Cadogan. Perhaps it was the indulgent treatments in the spa, or the early-evening aperitifs by the fire... We just couldn’t resist. Highs The main building, a national monument, is one of the finest 19th century houses in Cape Town, its tradition and heritage complimented with modern touches and charming, attentive service You're yards from Kloof Street's plethora of excellent bars and restaurants, yet the hotel feels like an oasis of tranquillity We found the complimentary transfers to and from V&A Waterfront incredibly helpful (there’s no public transport to speak of in Cape Town) A relaxing atmosphere and excellent service (unobtrusive yet attentive). There's bags of parking space right outside your door, and 24-hour surveillance by a friendly attendant Lows There can be noise from the street and nearby bars - the flipside of its buzzy location The beach or the Table Mountain cable car are a short drive away The hotel isn't suitable for families with children under 10 years old, but all ages are welcome in the Stable Suites and Residences We haven't visited the hotel since it underwent extensive refurbishments, so our review may be missing some details" - Abi Colgan
