Central hotel and within walking distance of some tourist attractions: Company Gardens, Castle, Green Market Square. Within walking distance to train station which was very convenient for trip to Simons Town.
The hotel was nice. The beds were comfortable. The breakfast was fine but as with all hotel breakfasts, it got boring after a while.
A lot of the negative reviews about this hotel was about the noise. Our room was right opposite the clubs/bars. Yes you can hear it. But I didn't get bothered by it at all. I can imagine some light sleepers would get disturbed, but if you live in London, like I do, then the noise really isn't anything to write home about.
The bathroom was rather odd. It didn't have a door, so if you're travelling with a friend it can get a bit weird knowing they can just walk past and see you showering naked. The wardrode and safe is just outside the bathroom opening, so not very convenient. Also, there is only a sliding screen partitioning the bedroom and the bathroom. But that can be closed, so no significant worries there.
There wasn't a large selection of TV channels - but that isn't a huge issue.
Tips:
1. The wine tour to Stellenbosch the hotel suggested was excellent! Was only 445 rand, 29 wines, 5 farms, included lunch. BARGAIN!
2. Get train to Simon's Town (only 25 rand return) and then there is a tour company just outside running tours from Simons Town to the Cape Point national park. (11am and 2:30pm) They'll take you to Cape point, Cape of Good Hope, you get to see baboons, ostriches. They charge 200 rand and you have to pay the 85 rand entrance fee. Works out much much cheaper than the tours which cost around 750 rand each! hgtravel.co.za (HGTS Travel Services)
3. If you want to go to the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens get a bus!! Or at least get a bus home. We got taxi from the hotel there and it cost 120 rand. There is a Golden Arrow Bus outside exit 2 of the gardens, they charge only around 6 rand to take you back to Cape Town Bus Terminus (just outside the train station). SOO much cheaper!
