The 12 best affordable hotels in Cape Town

Sandwiched between the Green Point Urban Park and Cape Town’s much-loved seafront promenade, La Splendida over-delivers on location. It’s a contemporary property of just 24 rooms, with options for ‘Sea’, ‘Side’ or ‘Mountain’ views. That ocean view may cost a little more, but it’s certainly worth it. The on-site restaurant – Sotano – is a hit with locals who pull in for an evening of Mediterranean fare, or Sunday brunch after a walk on the ‘Prom’.

121 Beach Rd, Mouille Point

A heritage gem with modern flair, the Old Bank Hotel folds a century of Cape Town history into a polished stay on pedestrianised St George’s Mall in the heart of the city. The Victorian building dates to 1902 but has been beautifully restored to offer a contemporary urban retreat that’s perfectly placed for exploring all that the inner city has to offer. Elegant rooms blend the warmth of wooden floors with modern touches, and all the mod-cons you could ask for.  There’s the 1902 Bistro if you’d prefer to dine in, and the handsome B&F Bar – named after the original architects – for a pre-dinner Old Fashioned. Boutique charm without the boutique price tag.

85 St. George’s Mall, Cape Town 

For more than 50 years (it was finished in 1972), the Modernist skyscraper in the heart of the city has towered 126 metres above downtown Cape Town. But since 2022, the offices have gone; in their place, the hotel apartments of One Thibault offer good-value crash pads with serious city views. One Thibault runs like a hotel but gives you all the perks of a self-catering apartment: compact studios and one-bedroom units with kitchenettes, 24-hour concierge and security, fast Wi-Fi, and a handy laundromat. There’s a gym and a pool deck for a post-sightseeing dip, and you’re a quick stroll from the Convention Centre and surrounding offices. Bree Street’s bars are around the corner, and the Waterfront is an easy walk away (at night, rather take a taxi or Uber). It’s central, contemporary and wallet-friendly: exactly what you want if you’re in Cape Town to explore rather than linger in the lobby.

Time Out Tip: Take a moment to admire the massive steel-and-bronze sculpture anchoring Thibault Square. It’s called Mythological Landscape, and was created by artists John Skotnes.

17 Hans Strijdom Avenue, Cape Town

This charming guesthouse is housed in a century-old homestead in the bohemian seaside suburb of Kalk Bay. Chartfield Guesthouse offers a range of rooms and suites – for both families and couples – with the best dishing up stellar sea views across False Bay. Guests enjoy access to a private garden, a large swimming pool and a terrace with wonderful ocean vistas. The location is superb, with Kalk Bay’s boutiques, restaurants and historic harbour just a short stroll away.

30 Gatesville Road, Kalk Bay

Want to make the East City your base while you’re in Cape Town? Good choice. The Neighbourgood East City aparthotel offers more than 100 rooms furnished in an unfussy contemporary style that will make you feel right at home. The rooms are all en-suite with fast Wi-Fi internet on tap and offer. Across five categories rooms range from Snug to Comfort Plus, with the best options offering a freestanding Victorian bathtub and a private balcony! Regardless of your room, you’ll have access to large communal spaces, including a shared contemporary workspace, common kitchen, dining area and the ground-floor café. 

60 Corporation Street, Cape Town

Slap-bang in the heart of the city, Pullman Cape Town offers modern rooms and a sought-after central location that punches above its price point. Expect contemporary rooms (many with big-sky views) and a line-up of crowd-pleasers: a heated terrace pool overlooking the city streets, a 24-hour gym, and a clutch of on-site venues. Enjoy breakfast at The Stratus Room, sundowners at the Ghibli Bar, and lunchtime meetings in Konnichiwa sushi bar. There’s even a complimentary scheduled shuttle to the V&A Waterfront, which is exactly the kind of perk budget-conscious travellers love. For business travellers and city explorers alike, it’s a fuss-free, design-forward option with everything close at hand. 

22 Riebeek Street, Cape Town

The Mojo Hotel in Sea Point is aimed squarely at a young, connected traveller. There’s a bright design-centric approach to th décor, incorporating Palm Beach glamour with African geometrics and collaborations with local graffiti artists. Rooms are geared towards budget-conscious travellers, with a range of airy dorms, hotel rooms and duplex studios alongside compact pod-style ‘CrashPads’ offering comfortable luxury at affordable rates. Once you’re settled, dive into the global food truck fare at the ground-floor Mojo Market.

30 Regent Road, Sea Point

Loud, lively, and loaded with thrills, Hotel Sky is another example of office space converted into a hotel, with 535 compact rooms offering knockout mountain and city views. It’s a modern space made for the contemporary traveller. Expect self-check-in kiosks, fast Wi-Fi and a gym, alongside playful flourishes: AI robots roaming reception, the 26th-floor Infinity Restaurant for sundowners, and the rooftop Sky-Hi Ride on the 28th floor if you fancy a heart-in-mouth drop. Rooms aren’t the largest in town, but then this is a hotel for explorers, not home-bodies. Perfect for first-timers who want the Cape Town postcard without the price tag. And if you’re attending an event at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, you could hardly ask for a better address.

9 Lower Long St, Foreshore      

Hospitality entrepreneur Bheki Dube’s Curiocity brand offers a hostel/hotel hybrid, allowing you to trade up as your budget allows. Taking inspiration from design-led hostels abroad, Curiocity offers upscale communal areas and a focus on immersive local-led experiences and activities. Shared rooms will keep budget travellers happy, but the Premium Rooms offer hotel-quality lodgings at pocket-friendly prices. The location in the heart of Green Point puts the city, V&A Waterfront and Atlantic Seaboard within walking distance.

153 Main Road, Green Point

This fast-growing local hotel brand offers a suite of addresses across Cape Town (and Johannesburg), and its boutique property in buzzy De Waterkant puts travellers in the heart of the city’s vibrant nightlife district. Despite the affordable rates, at Home Suite Hotels De Waterkant you’ll find plenty of luxe, from free parking and high-speed Wi-Fi to a bespoke ‘sleep menu’ of pillows and accessories to help you get your beauty rest. Deluxe suites offer kitchenettes for self-catering too.

De Smit Street, Green Point

Aimed at both holidaymakers and business travellers, Neighbourgood is a work-stay brand offering affordable luxury accommodation and carefully curated productivity spaces. Their Newlands outpost (alongside other Neighbourgoods in the city centre) offers 120 contemporary suites, with both short stay rates and flexible membership options available (a good choice for frequent travellers). The location is excellent, within walking distance of the Claremont business district and the famous Newlands cricket stadium.

10 Hemlock Street, Newlands

Perched on the harbour’s edge in the historic naval village of Simon’s Town, the Quayside Lodge offers a boutique bolthole in one of the city’s most charming corners. The best rooms are sea-facing, with some offering balconies to enjoy your morning coffee al fresco above the harbour. Downstairs, Bertha’s restaurant serves up an impressive menu of well-priced seafood, best enjoyed at the terrace tables just metres from the ocean.

Jubilee Square, Simonʼs Town

Most visitors spend little more than a few hours in the colourful Bo-Kaap district, but at Rouge on Rose you’ll be in the heart of this characterful suburb of the city. This family-run hotel has only nine rooms (so book early in peak season), each individually decorated with a sense of colourful Cape history. Some suites offer a small kitchenette, ideal for saving cash on a longer stay.

25 Rose Street, Cape Town

At this urban hotel – conveniently located close to the creative districts of Salt River and Woodstock – you’ll enjoy the stylish comforts of an international brand at a very affordable price. The rooms at Doubletree by Hilton Cape Town Upper Eastside may not be the biggest in town, but they’re bright and contemporary and many offer excellent mountain views. There’s also a free shuttle to the V&A Waterfront.

31 Brickfield Road, Woodstock

Conveniently located close to the international convention centre, and a short walk to the popular V&A Waterfront, aha Harbour Bridge offers four-star comforts at the foot of the city. There are 40 rooms to choose from, many boasting impressive city and mountain views. The Studio rooms and more spacious Suites offer additional lounge and kitchenette areas, making them ideal for extended stays.

Dockrail Road, Foreshore

Whether you visit for the world-class kitesurfing or the superb city and ocean views from the nearby sands, SALT is an ideal budget boutique option in the laid-back beachfront suburb of Table View. The eight-bedroom hotel offers light and airy communal areas, with a private pool and gardens for kicking back after a day at the beach. Too spendy? Salty Crax, an affiliated adventure-led backpackers nearby, offers a more affordable night’s stay.

22 Briza Rd, Table View

The seaside suburb of Camps Bay is Cape Town’s answer to Miami; all palm trees, convertibles and beachfront bars. That level of glam usually means pricey hotel rooms. But not at African Vibes, set on the slopes of Table Mountain to offer superb sea views from the communal terrace. There’s a welcome range of options here, from compact budget-friendly rooms to a larger studio space with a private balcony. The family unit is great for kids or couples travelling together, with two bedrooms and easy access to the (note: unfenced) swimming pool.

17A Francolin Road, Camps Bay