February 1, 2012

The Perfect Place to Stay in Cape Town – The Adderley Hotel

The Adderley’s Rooftop Pool Area

Want to feel the beating heart of southern Africa’s most-visited and most-loved city? You can’t get more urban cool than the The Adderley, a contemporary boutique hotel located in the centre of Cape Town’s City Bowl.

The Adderley’s small reception, squeezed between shop fronts on the wide thoroughfare of Adderley Street belies the scale, comfort, style and amenities that lie within. With huge suites featuring wall to wall windows overlooking the epicentre of Cape Town, The Adderley is very Sex and The City – all neutral colours with touches of hot pink at every opportunity and a hedonistic rooftop pool straight out of Manhattan.

Adderley Street

‘We wanted this to be like a New York hotel in Cape Town,’ says the CEO, and they’ve achieved that with rooms that are more akin to loft-style apartments, kitted out with every facility a city-breaker could need. There are stylish kitchenettes, luxurious bathrooms and separate bedrooms and spacious living areas so you can really make yourself at home – or even throw a little drinks party for your new Cape Town friends on your private balcony – well why keep this treat all to yourself?

Living area at The Adderley

Up on the roof, the pool area is a great little hide-away from the bustle of the downtown area with stunning 360 degree views of the cityscape laid out before you, and other facilities also include convenient and secure onsite car parking, a bar and restaurant, and friendly, helpful staff – ideal for when you need advice on which shop sells nibbles for your impromptu soiree.

Fancy a dip?

The location right in the middle of Cape Town’s Central Business District is a few footsteps from most of the city’s key tourist sights; parliament and Slave Lodge are directly behind the hotel, the Company’s Gardens is at the top of the street and the colourful and photogenic Bo-Kaap district is a short stroll away.

Colourful houses of the Bo-Kaap

In fact staying in the city centre gives you the freedom to walk to everything – all of Cape Town’s museums including the South African Museum, Gold of Africa Museum, South Africa National Gallery, Jewish Museum, and District Six Museum are within a couple of blocks, making it easy to get your dose of culture and history while you’re in town.

Company’s Gardens – Established in 1652, it has 8000 species of plants

With Adderley Street as a base, you’ll also have Cape Town’s best shopping on your doorstep including Greenmarket Square, the nearest thing Cape Town has to a pedestrianised European-style core, with cafes, shops and period architecture.

Old Town House Art Gallery, Greenmarket Square

You can also walk to and stumble back from lively Long Street with its boutiques, cafes, bars and clubs which will keep you interested from dawn ’til dusk – in fact if South Africa’s many natural wonders feature heavily on your itinerary, then this foray into the urban jungle makes the perfect contrast for your time in the Mother City.

Long Street - the best for boutiques bars and burgers

Long Street – best for boutiques bars and burgers

Staying so centrally gives you a real feel for the city and if you have a short period of time to experience all Cape Town has to offer, this middle-of-it-all location is a great choice. It’s also a doddle to hop in your car and drive to Table Mountain, Kirstenbosch, the beaches and the Cape of Good Hope.

Cape Town’s beaches: Just a short drive away

The Adderley is ideal for couples and anyone seeking a city centre flavour and a snapshot of real life in downtown Cape Town. You may encounter the occasional beggar or witness the grittier side of city life, but for culture vultures wanting to keep their finger on Cape Town’s famous urban pulse, this is the place to be.

View of Christmas lights on Adderley Street

What Does This Post Cover?

High Point:

In this case it’s literal – The Pool. When a city is this hot and sunny and surrounded by stunning beaches with freezing Antarctic waters, having your own private oasis on a rooftop amidst the skyscapers feels decadent and fabulous!

Low Point:

You have to pay for internet usage at the hotel but this seems to be the norm all over South Africa.

Area Highlights:

See: Cape Town’s famous ‘Bridge to Nowhere’, an elevated section of motorway that grinds to a halt above the city, often used as a filming location. In fact, see the bridge in action here.

Do: A cycling tour of Cape Town’s city centre

Eat: The Royale Eatery on Long Street does ‘burgers that make your soul tingle’!

Shop: The celebrated Pan African Market on Long Street