Gorgeous George
Whether you stay for one night or two weeks, it is the ultimate destination to truly experience the Mother City like a local. Created out of two beautifully restored heritage buildings, Gorgeous George is the first in Cape Town to join the Design Hotels stable, a hand-selected worldwide collection of privately owned and operated design forward and culturally rooted hotels.
The city is on the doorstep, but you may find it hard to leave. Ascend the marble staircase to the 6th floor and blow off some steam at the rooftop pool and Gigi restaurant & bar. Raise a glass to life at Cape Town's favorite rooftop bar where you can expect meticulously crafted cocktails created by our in-house mixologists. The living room of the neighborhood, Gigi Rooftop is loved by all for its groovy atmosphere.
Gorgeous George has 32 luxurious rooms with industrial tones of raw, exposed concrete and steelwork, blended with modern Victorian design elements. Each room is kitted with an eclectic mix of handpicked treasures and custom pieces sourced from local and international designers and finished with a touch of inner-city howzit of hand-painted wall art by David Brits. From studios to 1 and 2-bedroom suites, our interiors are a visual feast that draw on the heritage of the historic buildings with luxury finishes custom designed by local artists and creators. The rooms are carefully curated to delight and inspire.
There’s loads to do in and around Cape Town. Here’s a few suggestions:
Boulders Beach
What is it? A sandy stretch of shoreline on the Cape Peninsula with rocky outcrops and wild waves. Not so super for lounging on or swimming, but it makes for a wonderful coastal walk. The main draw is the colony of wild African penguins. Who doesn't love penguins?
Why go? Didn’t you hear? There are penguins. They waddle, they swim, they squawk at each other, they smell a bit weird. And they are here in their hundreds. Penguins, buddy, penguins!
Kirstenbosch
What is it? Some 1,300 acres of botanical garden sloping down from Table Mountain through Cape Town’s leafy southern suburbs. The Tree Canopy Walkway (also known as ‘the Boomslang’ or tree snake) provides an elevated spot perfect for bird-watching and selfie-snapping. Don’t miss the protea garden, dedicated to South Africa’s national flower.
Why go? There aren’t many places to sit back and soak up some sunshine in Cape Town’s city centre – and certainly none quite this lush. Check the events schedule before you go if you want to catch a trail run, craft market or the Summer Sunset concert series.
Robben Island
What is it? Nelson Mandela served most of his 27-year sentence here, along with hundreds of other political detainees. It’s now a Unesco World Heritage site.
Why go? The Robben Island Prison Museum is a site of major – if horrific – historical importance. Just shy of seven kilometres from the Cape Town coast, visitors are welcome on pre-booked tours. Former inmates provide part of the tours, offering direct insight into what it was really like during the struggle against apartheid.
Table Mountain
What is it? The clue’s in the name. A trip up this iconic landmark is absolutely worth your time. The more energetic may prefer to hike, but nobody’s judging if you plump for the cable car.
Why go? The views are simply spectacular (though be warned that cloud cover – known locally as the tablecloth – can swoop in very suddenly and obscure the panorama completely). There is also a short circular walking route to follow while you’re up there.
