Hotels in Cape Town and Victoria Falls, please

[tvlmm]

I am in the early stages of looking for a hotel. #1 priority, especially in Cape Town, is a safe location. Should I be looking at Victoria and Alfred Waterfront?
I have a few recs but looking for more.
One advantage we have in CT is that we're going to be there in low (cold and rainy) season, so even usually expensive hotels should be affordable. However, this is a splurge trip, so I am open to all suggestions.
We are a family of four, with two young teens.
TIA

[wanderingback]

It’s been 10 years since I lived there but I would stay in the City Centre vs the V&A. If I remember correctly there’s a Protea in the City Centre thats nice. Depending on how many days you’ll be in Cape Town I don’t even think the V&A is worth a visit unless you really are running out of things to do as it kind of just seems like a generic mall to me. Staying in the city centre will give you much more access to things without having to take a taxi and so many good and more authentic food options.

Sorry I’m no help on Vic Falls as I stayed at a hostel when I was there!

[tvlmm]

wanderingback, thanks! We're only there for two full days (3 nights) and would like to do the major tourist attractions: Table Mountain, see penguins, etc.

[sakoro]

We go to Cape Town ~10 years to visit family in the southern suburbs l. I’ve only stayed in Airbnb’s because we found the hotels to be extremely expensive especially during Dec-Feb. As wandering noted, V&A waterfront is very touristy.

Southern Sun and CityLodge are good mid-range hotel chains.

I’ve never been to Vic Falls, but I want to go!

[wanderingback]

Feb 26, 2024 7:02:24 GMT -5 tvlmm said:

wanderingback, thanks! We're only there for two full days (3 nights) and would like to do the major tourist attractions: Table Mountain, see penguins, etc.

Ahh ok, if that’s the case then I’d def stay in city centre to have a better experience with the city. If you’re planning to walk up table mountain and not just do cable car then you can probably walk there from where you stay in the city centre. The penguins you’ll have to drive to no matter where you stay. There’s also a hop on hop off bus which I would even use sometimes when I lived there (can’t remember if they stop at the penguins) to play tourist for the day.

The cable car on table mountain is very dependent on the weather. Another really good mountain walk is lion’s head.

[mrsslocombe]

I stayed at the Kingdom Hotel Victoria Falls. It was nice to be able to walk to the restaurants and some of the activities from the hotel, vs having to get a car. The rooms were comfortable and we didn't have any issues.

In Cape Town we stayed at an AirBnB in Bo-Kaap. I liked the area a lot, plenty of restaurants and places to explore. Not a fan of the V&A area, too touristy.

Something to keep in mind-especially in Victoria Falls, restaurants are all outdoor and it gets very cold at night at that time of year (we were there in July). The restaurants all provide blankets and heaters but it can be very chilly. You will need warmer clothes than you might expect.

[tvlmm]

We're actually going during the low (cold and rainy) season on our way to Botswana, so I'm hoping June hotel prices will be cheaper.
Keep the recs coming, please!

[turbo]

We stayed at the Victoria Falls Hotel when we were there, but it was almost a decade ago. It had great location.

In Cape Town we stayed at the Queen Victoria Hotel and it was quite lovely and in a great location.

I have no idea what the cost / night is for either of these hotels as we were just quoted an overall tour cost, so apologies if they aren’t good recs. But we liked them both.

[tallyho]

We traveled to CT and Vic falls in March of 2023 with our 2 girls, 8 and 12. It was the MOST INCREDIBLE trip.

Our Airbnb in CT was fantastic. We felt 100% safe and could walk to the V&A waterfront (during the day).

www.airbnb.com/rooms/49434290?source_impression_id=p3_1709743480_WFysChX4kO3kX2w8


The Gold restaurant was in the same building as our airbnb and it was a highlight of our time in CT: goldrestaurant.co.za

In Vic Falls, we splurged big time and stayed 2 nights each in The Elephant Camp and The Old Drift Lodge. I don't have the words to describe how incredible both of these stays were. The people, the food, the included activities - everything was beyond fantastic. If it's in your budget, it is worth every single penny.

Have such a great time!

[tvlmm]

Also looking for restaurants that can accommodate a GF diet, please!