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3-star hotels in Clifton
A shortlist of the 3-star hotels in Clifton and the neighbouring Atlantic Seaboard streets, drawn from the properties listed here with their facilities and guest ratings. It is for travellers deciding which side of the Clifton terraces suits a short beach break.
Staying in Clifton
Clifton is four sheltered coves below some of the most expensive real estate in Africa, reached by long stairways and with no parking whatsoever. Almost everything is a self-catering apartment or a villa on the terraces below Victoria Road, and the beaches have distinct characters locals take seriously: First is the quietest and the longest walk, Second is young and toned, Third has historically been the gay beach and remains the friendliest, and Fourth is the blue-flag one with lifeguards and ice-cream sellers. At 9pm Clifton is silent, so dinner means driving five minutes to Camps Bay or ten to Sea Point.
The hotels on this list sit on the surrounding Atlantic Seaboard addresses: Victoria Road and Kloof Road in Clifton itself, Bellwood Road, Kloof Road in Fresnaye, Regent Road, Beach Road, Craigrownie Road, Queens Road and Quendon Road in Sea Point, and Ravine Road and Victoria Road in Bantry Bay. That spread suits couples who want the coves and the sunset terrace, families who need space and a pool rather than a stairway, and short-break visitors who will self-cater and drive out for dinner every night.
The shortlist
Ranked by hotel class, then guest rating and number of reviews.
Bon Bayit
2 Bon Bayit 25 Victoria Road Bantry Bay Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
Best for: Drivers
- Parking
- Kitchen
- Air conditioning
Why stay hereBon Bayit sits on Victoria Road in Bantry Bay, and guests rate it 4.6 out of 5 across 359 reviews. Each stay comes with a kitchen and a fridge, so you can shop and eat in rather than going out every night, and there is parking on site plus free wifi. Air conditioning and a TV round off the essentials. A steady choice for longer stays and for travellers who want to cook for themselves.
See Bon BayitThe Walden Suites
Bellwood Road S N, Cape Town, South Africa
Best for: Families · Drivers
- Outdoor pool
- Free car parking
- Lounge
Why stay hereThe Walden Suites on Bellwood Road pairs an outdoor pool with a garden and a lounge, and the beach is nearby. Guests score it 4.5 out of 5 from 70 reviews. Family rooms, a babysitting service and a cot make it workable for parents, while a bar, massage and a fireplace give the place a relaxed edge. Bicycles and cars can be rented at the property for days out.
See The Walden SuitesGrande Kloof Boutique Hotel
69 Kloof Road Fresnaye, Cape Town, South Africa
Best for: Drivers · Pool and spa
- Outdoor pool
- Sauna
- Free car parking
Why stay hereSet on Kloof Road in Fresnaye, Grande Kloof Boutique Hotel draws 499 reviews and a rating of 4.0 out of 5. There is an outdoor pool and a sauna for unwinding, and a restaurant and bar mean you need not leave the building for dinner. A 24 hour front desk, concierge and shuttle service smooth over late arrivals and trips further afield. Best for guests who like their comforts indoors.
See Grande Kloof Boutique HotelAmoris Guest House Sea Point
12 Craigrownie Road, Cape Town, South Africa
Best for: Drivers · Pool and spa
- Indoor pool
- Free car parking
- Kitchen
Why stay hereAmoris Guest House Sea Point stands on Craigrownie Road with both an indoor and an outdoor pool, a restaurant and a bar. Rooms are air conditioned and have a balcony, with a kitchen available and a fridge in the room. Round the clock security and a 24 hour front desk are in place, and parking is free. A practical base for guests who want eating and swimming options on the doorstep.
See Amoris Guest House Sea PointAlbatross Guest House
24 Queens Road, Cape Town, South Africa
Best for: Families · Drivers
- Outdoor pool
- Free car parking
- Breakfast
Why stay hereAlbatross Guest House on Queens Road covers the practical side well: a kitchen, a fridge and breakfast, with an outdoor pool and a garden for the warmer hours. The beach is nearby and the property runs a 24 hour front desk with security and express check in. There is a playground, a picnic area and family rooms, so it suits households travelling with children, and parking is free.
See Albatross Guest HousePLS Holiday Rentals
10 Quendon Rd Sea Point Cape Town 8060 South Africa, Cape Town, South Africa
Best for: Drivers · Pool and spa
- Outdoor pool
- Free car parking
- Wheelchair accessible
Why stay herePLS Holiday Rentals keeps things simple on Quendon Road in Sea Point. Guests share an outdoor pool and a terrace, lifts serve the building, and both wifi and parking are free. The apartment setup suits longer visits and guests who prefer a quieter, self-contained stay. Wheelchair accessible, it works for travellers who need step-free access through the property.
See PLS Holiday RentalsClifton Villa
15A Victoria Road Near City Centercape Town 8040, Cape Town, South Africa
Best for: Pool and spa
- Outdoor pool
- Kitchen
Why stay hereClifton Villa is on Victoria Road, close to the city centre and with shops within reach. The apartment has a kitchen and a refrigerator, plus a balcony and a bathroom, and there is an outdoor pool on site. A concierge and housekeeping look after the details. Suited to guests who want to stay in Clifton itself and settle into a self-catering routine.
See Clifton VillaArcadia Villa
10 Ravine Road Bantry Bay Kapstadt Za, Cape Town, South Africa
Best for: Drivers · Pool and spa
- Outdoor pool
- Free car parking
- Free Wifi
Why stay hereArcadia Villa on Ravine Road in Bantry Bay is small and uncomplicated: an outdoor pool, free wifi and free parking. With no restaurant or bar to speak of, it suits guests who plan to be out for meals and want a quiet place to return to. The pool is the main draw, and parking on site removes the hassle of finding a space.
See Arcadia VillaBlue Waters
9 Blue Waters 303 Beach Road, Cape Town, South Africa
Best for: Families · Drivers
- Free car parking
- Family rooms
- Kitchen
Why stay hereBlue Waters on Beach Road puts the beach nearby and gives you a kitchen, a kitchenette, an oven and a dishwasher, so meals at home are easy. A balcony, a terrace and a patio extend the living space, and the apartment has a washing machine and a safe. Family rooms are available and parking is free. A strong fit for longer stays and families who want to spread out.
See Blue WatersThe Amalfi Atlantic Hotel
90 Regent Road Sea Pointkapstadt 8005, Cape Town, South Africa
Best for: Drivers · Step-free access
- Free car parking
- Wheelchair accessible
- Free Wifi
Why stay hereThe Amalfi Atlantic Hotel on Regent Road has a restaurant on site and a 24 hour front desk, with a concierge to help arrange the day. Lifts serve the building and it is wheelchair accessible, while wifi and parking come free. Guests wanting dry cleaning or a place to store luggage before a flight will find both. A convenient choice for travellers who value service over self-catering.
See The Amalfi Atlantic HotelClifton Sunsets
7 Mount Pleasant Stepsclifton, Cape Town, South Africa
Best for: Pool and spa
- Outdoor pool
- Air conditioning
- Free Wifi
Why stay hereClifton Sunsets on Mount Pleasant Steps has an outdoor pool and a terrace, and rooms are air conditioned with free wifi. Express check in saves time on arrival. Laundry service is available, which helps on a longer trip. It suits guests who want a straightforward place to stay in Clifton with a pool to come back to after a day out.
See Clifton SunsetsPerfect Getaway in Clifton
Kloof Road, Cape Town, South Africa
Best for: Drivers
- Free car parking
- Free Wifi
Why stay herePerfect Getaway in Clifton sits on Kloof Road and offers exactly what the name suggests: a garden, free wifi and free parking, with internet access in the lounge. There is no pool or restaurant, so this is for guests who want space, quiet and a car at the door rather than shared facilities. Well suited to a relaxed, self-directed stay.
See Perfect Getaway in CliftonClifton YOLO Spaces Clifton Private Beach Villa
63 Victoria Road 6 Arcadia Steps, Cape Town, South Africa
Best for: Drivers · Pool and spa
- Outdoor pool
- Free car parking
- Wheelchair accessible
Why stay hereClifton YOLO Spaces Clifton Private Beach Villa on Victoria Road combines an outdoor pool with a garden and a garage, and there is parking on site. Wifi and parking are free, and luggage storage and laundry service are available. The name points to the beach, and the pool gives a second option. A good match for groups and families who want room to move.
See Clifton YOLO Spaces Clifton Private Beach VillaBlue Waters Studio 12 in Sea Point
303 Beach Road 12 Blue Waters, Cape Town, South Africa
- Kitchen
- Free Wifi
Why stay hereBlue Waters Studio 12 in Sea Point is a compact studio on Beach Road with a kitchen and a TV, plus free wifi and internet access. It is a non smoking property. With no pool or restaurant, it suits solo travellers or couples who want a simple, self-catering base and plan to eat and swim elsewhere.
See Blue Waters Studio 12 in Sea PointTenonq C14
10 Quendon Road Sea Point, Cape Town, South Africa
Best for: Families · Drivers
- Outdoor pool
- Free car parking
- Fitness Center
Why stay hereTenonq C14 on Quendon Road in Sea Point offers an outdoor pool and a fitness centre, both unusual for a 3-star address. Air conditioning, a balcony and family rooms cover the everyday needs, and the kitchen comes with a dishwasher, oven, microwave and washing machine. A shuttle service is available and parking is free. Suits longer stays and guests who want to keep training while away.
See Tenonq C14
The shortlist side by side
| Hotel | Class | Parking | Pool or spa |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bon Bayit | ★★★ | Yes | – |
| The Walden Suites | ★★★ | Yes | Yes |
| Grande Kloof Boutique Hotel | ★★★ | Yes | Yes |
| Amoris Guest House Sea Point | ★★★ | Yes | Yes |
| Albatross Guest House | ★★★ | Yes | Yes |
| PLS Holiday Rentals | ★★★ | Yes | Yes |
| Clifton Villa | ★★★ | – | Yes |
| Arcadia Villa | ★★★ | Yes | Yes |
| Blue Waters | ★★★ | Yes | – |
| The Amalfi Atlantic Hotel | ★★★ | Yes | – |
| Clifton Sunsets | ★★★ | – | Yes |
| Perfect Getaway in Clifton | ★★★ | Yes | – |
| Clifton YOLO Spaces Clifton Private Beach Villa | ★★★ | Yes | Yes |
| Blue Waters Studio 12 in Sea Point | ★★★ | – | – |
| Tenonq C14 | ★★★ | Yes | Yes |
From each hotel's own listing on this site; a dash means it is not listed.
How to choose
For families
The Walden Suites has family rooms, a cot and babysitting service; Albatross Guest House adds family rooms, a playground and a picnic area; Blue Waters offers family rooms and a full kitchen; Tenonq C14 has family rooms, a kitchen, a washing machine and a fitness centre. All four give children room to spread out.
The Walden Suites · Albatross Guest House · Blue Waters · Tenonq C14
For couples
Bon Bayit pairs a kitchen and parking with a 4.6 guest rating from 359 reviews; Clifton Villa and Clifton Sunsets are villas with private terraces and outdoor pools; Clifton YOLO Spaces Clifton Private Beach Villa sits on Victoria Road with a garden and outdoor pool. These suit two people who want quiet and a view.
Bon Bayit · Clifton Villa · Clifton Sunsets · Clifton YOLO Spaces Clifton Private Beach Villa
Self-catering stays
Bon Bayit has a kitchen, fridge and coffee; Blue Waters adds a dishwasher, oven, microwave, toaster and washing machine; Tenonq C14 matches that with a lift; Blue Waters Studio 12 has a kitchen and non-smoking rooms. Good for longer stays when you will cook rather than eat out.
Bon Bayit · Blue Waters · Tenonq C14 · Blue Waters Studio 12 in Sea Point
Closest to the beaches
Clifton Villa on Victoria Road and Clifton YOLO Spaces on Victoria Road are addressed in Clifton itself, closest to the coves. Blue Waters and Blue Waters Studio 12 sit on Beach Road in Sea Point, a short drive or walk from the Clifton stairways.
Clifton Villa · Clifton YOLO Spaces Clifton Private Beach Villa · Blue Waters · Blue Waters Studio 12 in Sea Point
Where to stay in Clifton
Sea Point
Ten minutes from Clifton by car and the practical base for restaurants, with hotel stock rather than villas. Amoris Guest House, Albatross Guest House, PLS Holiday Rentals, The Amalfi Atlantic Hotel, Blue Waters Studio 12 and Tenonq C14 all sit on Sea Point roads, handy for the promenade and for walking to dinner.
Our picks here: PLS Holiday Rentals · Tenonq C14
Bantry Bay
Immediately north of Clifton, giving similar views with hotel stock rather than villas and Sea Point restaurants ten minutes on foot, as the site notes for tighter budgets. Bon Bayit on Victoria Road and Arcadia Villa on Ravine Road both sit here, with free parking and an outdoor pool respectively.
Our picks here: Bon Bayit · Arcadia Villa
Fresnaye
The rise above Sea Point, where Grande Kloof Boutique Hotel on Kloof Road offers a 24 hour front desk, restaurant, outdoor pool, sauna and jacuzzi over 499 reviews, with wheelchair access and a shuttle service. A quieter, more serviced alternative to the Clifton stairways.
Our picks here: Grande Kloof Boutique Hotel
Plan your stay
Getting there and around
Clifton's beaches sit below Victoria Road and are reached by long stairways; there is no parking whatsoever at the coves, so you park on the road above and walk down. From Sea Point it is about ten minutes by car, and Camps Bay five minutes south for dinner, which the site notes you will do every night in practice, and in high season that means finding a parking bay again on your return. First Beach takes the longest stairway, and the blue-flag Fourth Beach is reached by the stairway opposite the bus stop on Victoria Road. Secure off-street parking is essential and not universal, so check before booking.
When to go
January is peak: the site warns that on a January weekend you should reach Fourth Beach before 10am or the stairs become a queue, and that loungers and umbrellas from beach vendors are worth it on Fourth in January. Summer is when the coves are at their best and busiest, with lifeguards in season on the blue-flag beach and the sheltered corner under the boulders staying calm when the wind is up. At low tide you can scramble around the granite headlands between all four beaches in roughly twenty minutes end to end, but not at high tide or in a big swell.
Things to do near Clifton
Questions, answered
Which of these hotels is closest to Clifton's beaches?
Clifton Villa on Victoria Road and Clifton YOLO Spaces Clifton Private Beach Villa on Victoria Road are both addressed in Clifton itself, closest to the coves. Blue Waters and Blue Waters Studio 12 on Beach Road in Sea Point are a short drive away.
Do any of these hotels have parking?
Free car parking is listed at The Walden Suites, Grande Kloof Boutique Hotel, Amoris Guest House Sea Point, Albatross Guest House, PLS Holiday Rentals, Arcadia Villa, Blue Waters, The Amalfi Atlantic Hotel, Perfect Getaway in Clifton, Clifton YOLO Spaces and Tenonq C14. Bon Bayit simply lists parking.
Which hotels have a pool?
An outdoor pool is listed at The Walden Suites, Grande Kloof Boutique Hotel, Amoris Guest House Sea Point, Albatross Guest House, PLS Holiday Rentals, Clifton Villa, Arcadia Villa, Clifton Sunsets, Clifton YOLO Spaces and Tenonq C14. Amoris Guest House also lists an indoor pool.
Which is best for families with children?
The Walden Suites has family rooms, a cot and babysitting service. Albatross Guest House adds family rooms, a playground and a picnic area, Blue Waters has family rooms and a full kitchen, and Tenonq C14 has family rooms plus a kitchen and washing machine.
Can I stay somewhere self-catering?
Bon Bayit has a kitchen, fridge and coffee. Blue Waters adds a dishwasher, oven, microwave, toaster and washing machine, Tenonq C14 matches that with a lift, and Blue Waters Studio 12 has a kitchen and non-smoking rooms.
Which hotel is the top-rated on this list?
Bon Bayit has the highest guest rating here at 4.6 out of 5 from 359 reviews, followed by The Walden Suites at 4.5 from 70 reviews and Grande Kloof Boutique Hotel at 4.0 from 499 reviews.
Are pets allowed at these hotels?
None of the hotels on this list names a pet policy in its facilities, so you would need to ask the property directly before booking. Non smoking rooms are listed at several, including The Walden Suites, Amoris Guest House Sea Point, Albatross Guest House, Blue Waters, Tenonq C14 and Blue Waters Studio 12.
Do any of these hotels serve breakfast or have a restaurant?
Albatross Guest House lists breakfast, and restaurant(s) are listed at Grande Kloof Boutique Hotel, Amoris Guest House Sea Point and The Amalfi Atlantic Hotel. The Walden Suites lists a buffet and a bar or snack cafe.