Kensington Place

Rooms

There are just 8 luxurious guest rooms, all large and with balconies offering wonderful views across the city. No expense has been spared in the furnishings - think feature walls with bold patterns, luxe linens and smart armchairs.

All the rooms have a different feel. Room 6 is the only Standard Room - it has a soothing grey palette and a shower bathroom. The Superior Suites each have different colour schemes, but many come with striking feature walls - one with butterflies, others with blown up photographs of flowers. Suite 2, where we stayed, has a long terrace with views over the city harbour - watching Cape Town’s lights gradually twinkle on in the twilight was a delight.

All rooms are extremely well-equipped: satellite TV, DVD players, electronic safes, air-conditioning, minibars/fridges and Marshall speakers. Little noise filters from one room to another - you may not know you have fellow guests until they drift in to breakfast.

Features include:

• Air conditioning
• Bathrobes
• Bluetooth sound system
• Central heating
• DVD player
• Hairdryer
• Minibar
• Plunge pool
• Safe box
• Slippers
• Terrace/balcony
• TV
• Underfloor heating
• WiFi

Eating

Breakfast is served from 7.30am to 3pm so don't worry about setting an alarm - we didn’t test whether it was any better in mid-afternoon but we certainly enjoyed it at 11am. If you've got a super-early flight, an earlier breakfast can be requested. The menu is a la carte with options including healthy pressed juices, smashed avocado and the Full Kensington (eggs to order, honey cherry tomatoes, sautéed mushrooms, bacon and toast). It's all served on the airy terrace - or on your private balcony if you’re feeling extra lazy.

For other meals, the hotel offers lunch or light dinner options until late, which can be served in the dining area, by the pool or via room service. The menu changes seasonally but the dishes are always prepared with fresh, local ingredients. We opted for their lunch selection to fuel up before ascending Table Mountain, tucking into a garlic prawn and roasted grape salad followed by a mushroom ravioli in a burnt sage sauce – needless to say, it went down a treat!

Alternatively, with such an incredible selection of world-renowned restaurants on your doorstep, we highly recommend asking the knowledgeable staff at Kensington Place to make a reservation for you elsewhere, so you can make the most of Cape Town’s exciting food scene.

Features include:

• Bar
• Breakfast
• Dinner by arrangement
• Lunch by arrangement
• Restaurants nearby
• Room service
• Vegetarian options

Activities

• Visit Robben Island - the former prison where Nelson Mandela spent most of his 27 years of imprisonment, situated 7km off the coast
  
• Take the cable car up Table Mountain - a must for sunset on a clear evening
  
• No stay in the Mother City is complete without at least one afternoon spent exploring the V&A Waterfront’s shops, markets, eateries, and bars
  
• Check out some of Cape Town's trendy beaches - but watch out as the winds can be strong and the water very cold
  
• Plant lovers should not miss the famous Kirstenbosch Gardens, where you can wander through the unique flora of the region - take a picnic
  
• There are plenty of opportunities for hiking. There's a nature reserve nearby or you can walk up Lions' Head for some great coastal views
  
• Spend a day in the Winelands (30 minutes' drive away) most vineyards are open to the public for tasting
  
• Drive down the scenic Cape Pensinsula to Cape Point, stopping off en route to see penguins at Boulder's Bay, and Simon's Town or Fish Hoek for a little culture
  
• A 15-minute drive from the city, Hout Bay is great for people- and parasurfer-watching
  
• Make use of the hotel’s complimentary gym passes to a club nearby, or work out in the privacy of your own room using the yoga mats and weights provided. Local golf and squash can also be arranged
  
• Back at the hotel, take a dip in the plunge pool or sunbathe on the deck. Beauty treatments can also be arranged in-room by the hotel

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Golf
• Hiking
• Historical sites
• Museums / galleries
• Nightlife
• Swimming

Kids

No children under the age of 12 are accepted - this hotel is designed to be a peaceful haven.

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

Kensington Place is in Cape Town's Garden neighbourhood, on the slopes of Table Mountain. It's roughly a 25-minute drive from the city's Airport.

By Air:
Cape Town International (22km) is close by.

From the Airport
Transfers can be arranged with the hotel, and there are plenty of taxis in and around town. Many guests choose to hire a car (see below).

By Car
If you want to explore beyond Cape Town it's probably worth hiring a car - see our car rental recommendations.

By Public Transport
Public transport in Cape Town is rather slow and occasionally risky, so best to avoid it unless you know the ropes.

Detailed directions to find the hotel will be provided when booking is confirmed.