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4- and 5-star hotels in Kalk Bay
A shortlist of the 4- and 5-star hotels and guesthouses in and around Kalk Bay, the working fishing village on False Bay about 35 minutes south of Cape Town. It suits couples and anyone wanting the harbour, the tidal pool and the mountain within a few hundred metres.
Staying in Kalk Bay
Kalk Bay is a working fishing village on the False Bay coast about 35 minutes south of the city centre, squeezed onto a strip of land so narrow that the railway line, Main Road and the mountain all touch. Everything is on 800 metres of one street: Kalk Bay Books at 124 Main Road, antique dealers, the Olympia Café at 134, and a harbour where boats still land snoek and yellowtail at dawn. Evenings are the best on this coast — at 9pm the restaurant windows are lit over black water, and the Brass Bell, built into the rocks beside the station platform, is the one place with actual late trade on a Friday.
These hotels sit along Main Road and the lanes behind it, from St James through Kalk Bay itself to Fish Hoek and Glencairn Heights — addresses on Main Road at St James, Gatesville Road in Kalk Bay, Peak Road and Abington Circle in Fish Hoek, Cockburn Street in Glencairn Heights. Couples come for sea-facing rooms and the sound of surf; families fit the larger self-catering places and apartments; business travellers have meeting rooms and conference space at The Calders. It is a short-break place rather than a long-stay one, unless you take a cottage for a week.
The shortlist
Ranked by hotel class, then guest rating and number of reviews.
St James Guesthouses
108 Main Road St.James, Cape Town, South Africa
Best for: Drivers · Pool and spa
- Outdoor pool
- Free car parking
- Lounge
Why stay hereFor a five-star stay a short walk from the beach, St James Guesthouses pairs an outdoor pool and a garden with a library and lounge for quiet afternoons. Guests rate it 4.8 out of 5 across 47 reviews. The terrace and on-site restaurant suit couples and small groups who want comfort close to the water, with free parking and free wifi. Divers, anglers and riders will find plenty to do nearby.
See St James GuesthousesRodwell House
Rodwell Rd. St. James, Cape Town, South Africa
Best for: Drivers
- Free car parking
- Beach nearby
Why stay hereRodwell House is a five-star address on Rodwell Rd. St. James, a stroll from the beach. It suits guests who want a compact, easy base in St. James, whether travelling as a couple or with friends.
See Rodwell HouseVilla Honeywood Guest House
2 15Th Avenue, Cape Town, South Africa
Best for: Drivers · Pool and spa
- Outdoor pool
- Free car parking
- Breakfast
Why stay hereVilla Honeywood Guest House is a five-star property on 2 15Th Avenue with an outdoor pool and a garden for slow mornings, plus a library and lounge indoors. The on-site restaurant, bar and breakfast cover meals, and a shuttle service runs on request. It works well for guests who want privacy and green surroundings within easy reach of the train station.
See Villa Honeywood Guest HousePeaceful Mountain Home with Views over False Bay
23 Cockburn Street Glencairn Heights, Cape Town, South Africa
Best for: Families · Drivers
- Free car parking
- Family rooms
- Kitchen
Why stay herePeaceful Mountain Home with Views over False Bay is a five-star house on 23 Cockburn Street Glencairn Heights, as the name suggests, with sea views, a balcony and a garden. A kitchen, dishwasher and laundry service make longer stays easy, and family rooms, a cot and high chairs suit those travelling with children. Free parking and free wifi are included.
See Peaceful Mountain Home with Views over False BaySonnekus Boutique Hotel & Bistro
88 Main Road St. James, Cape Town, South Africa
Best for: Families · Drivers
- Swimming pool
- Free car parking
- Breakfast in room
Why stay hereSonnekus Boutique Hotel & Bistro is a four-star hotel on 88 Main Road St. James, close to the beach, with sea views and a restaurant. Guests rate it 4.5 out of 5 from 397 reviews. Balconies, a garden and massage on site suit couples and families, and pets are allowed. Free parking and free wifi come with the stay.
See Sonnekus Boutique Hotel & BistroThe Calders Hotel & Conference Centre
1 Recreation Road, Cape Town, South Africa
Best for: Families · Drivers
- Free car parking
- Breakfast in room
- Lounge
Why stay hereThe Calders Hotel & Conference Centre is a four-star hotel on 1 Recreation Road with sea views, a lounge and a bar, plus a business centre and meeting facilities for work trips. It is rated 4.5 out of 5 from 195 reviews. Family rooms, a cot and free parking make it practical for families, and the beach is nearby.
See The Calders Hotel & Conference CentreAbove the Sea
50 Highway, Cape Town, South Africa
Best for: Families · Drivers
- Outdoor pool
- Free car parking
- Family rooms
Why stay hereAbove the Sea is a four-star property on 50 Highway with sea views and a terrace, a salt water pool and an outdoor pool. A kitchen and laundry facilities give self-catering flexibility, while family rooms and a garden suit longer stays. Guests rate it 5.0 out of 5 from 7 reviews. Free parking and wifi are provided.
See Above the SeaChartfield Guesthouse
30 Gatesville Road, Cape Town, South Africa
Best for: Families · Pool and spa
- Outdoor pool
- Family rooms
- Kitchen
Why stay hereChartfield Guesthouse is a four-star guesthouse on 30 Gatesville Road with sea views, a terrace and a garden, plus an outdoor pool. A kitchen, dishwasher and washing machine make it useful for longer self-catering stays, and family rooms and a cot suit those with children. A shuttle service, currency exchange and car rental help with getting around.
See Chartfield GuesthouseThe Inn At Castle Hill
37 Gatesville Road Kalk Bay, Cape Town, South Africa
- Wifi
Why stay hereThe Inn At Castle Hill is a four-star property on 37 Gatesville Road Kalk Bay, a straightforward choice for guests who want a simple room with wifi and a safe. Its location in Kalk Bay puts the harbour and beach within reach, making it a convenient base for exploring the area on foot.
See The Inn At Castle HillConstantia House
7 First Avenue Fish Hoek Fish Hoekcape Town 7975, Cape Town, South Africa
Best for: Drivers · Pool and spa
- Outdoor pool
- Free car parking
- Breakfast
Why stay hereConstantia House is a four-star guesthouse on 7 First Avenue in Fish Hoek with an outdoor pool, a fitness centre and massage services. A restaurant, bar and lounge cover meals and evenings in, and a library offers quiet space. It suits guests who want a full-service stay, with conference rooms, wedding services and a shuttle service on request.
See Constantia HouseTranquility Guest House
25 Peak Road Fish Hoek, Cape Town, South Africa
Best for: Pool and spa · Business trips
- Swimming pool
- Spa
Why stay hereTranquility Guest House is a four-star property on 25 Peak Road Fish Hoek with a spa and a swimming pool, plus a restaurant. It suits guests looking for a restful stay focused on treatments and quiet time. A business centre is also available for those mixing work with their trip.
See Tranquility Guest HouseSurferscorner Self Catering Apartments
Empire Building, Beach Road, Cape Town, South Africa
Best for: Families · Drivers
- Free car parking
- Family rooms
- Kitchen
Why stay hereSurferscorner Self Catering Apartments is a four-star apartment property on Beach Road, close to the beach, with sea views and balconies. Kitchens and kitchenettes, laundry service and lifts make longer stays easy, and family rooms, a cot, high chairs and a playground suit children. Mini golf and a games area add options for free time. Free parking and wifi are included.
See Surferscorner Self Catering ApartmentsA Tuscan Villa Guest House
No 15 And 17 3 Rd Avenue, Cape Town, South Africa
Best for: Drivers · Pool and spa
- Outdoor pool
- Free car parking
- Lounge
Why stay hereA Tuscan Villa Guest House is a four-star property on 3 Rd Avenue with a garden, terrace and outdoor pool. A lounge and massage service allow for downtime, and the tennis court and bowling nearby give active guests something to do. It is well placed for travellers who want a relaxed base with free parking and free wifi.
See A Tuscan Villa Guest HouseAbington Manor Fish Hoek Guesthouse
19 Abington Circle Fish Hoek 7975 Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
Best for: Drivers · Pool and spa
- Indoor pool
- Car parking
- Wheelchair accessible
Why stay hereAbington Manor Fish Hoek Guesthouse is a four-star guesthouse on 19 Abington Circle with both an indoor and an outdoor pool, set in a garden. A reception area, shuttle service and wheelchair access make arrivals and movement easy. Free parking is available; guests wanting a calm Fish Hoek base with pool time will find it here.
See Abington Manor Fish Hoek GuesthouseCape x ta Sea
21 Echo Road Fish Hoek, Cape Town, South Africa
Best for: Drivers · Pool and spa
- Indoor pool
- Free car parking
- Pool bar
Why stay hereCape x ta Sea is a four-star property on 21 Echo Road Fish Hoek with sea views, a terrace and a swimming pool, plus an indoor pool and pool bar. A kitchen, dishwasher and washing machine suit self-catering stays, and a games room and cots help with families. Free parking and free wifi are included.
See Cape x ta Sea
The shortlist side by side
| Hotel | Class | Parking | Breakfast | Pool or spa |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| St James Guesthouses | ★★★★★ | Yes | – | Yes |
| Rodwell House | ★★★★★ | Yes | – | – |
| Villa Honeywood Guest House | ★★★★★ | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Peaceful Mountain Home with Views over False Bay | ★★★★★ | Yes | – | – |
| Sonnekus Boutique Hotel & Bistro | ★★★★ | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| The Calders Hotel & Conference Centre | ★★★★ | Yes | Yes | – |
| Above the Sea | ★★★★ | Yes | – | Yes |
| Chartfield Guesthouse | ★★★★ | – | – | Yes |
| The Inn At Castle Hill | ★★★★ | – | – | – |
| Constantia House | ★★★★ | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Tranquility Guest House | ★★★★ | – | – | Yes |
| Surferscorner Self Catering Apartments | ★★★★ | Yes | – | – |
| A Tuscan Villa Guest House | ★★★★ | Yes | – | Yes |
| Abington Manor Fish Hoek Guesthouse | ★★★★ | Yes | – | Yes |
| Cape x ta Sea | ★★★★ | Yes | – | Yes |
From each hotel's own listing on this site; a dash means it is not listed.
How to choose
For families
Peaceful Mountain Home with Views over False Bay has family rooms, a cot, high chairs, a games room and a kitchen, and The Calders Hotel & Conference Centre adds family rooms, a cot and a sofa bed beside the sea. Surferscorner Self Catering Apartments brings a playground, high chairs and kitchenettes, and Chartfield Guesthouse offers family rooms with a kitchen.
Peaceful Mountain Home with Views over False Bay · The Calders Hotel & Conference Centre · Surferscorner Self Catering Apartments · Chartfield Guesthouse
Sea views
Sonnekus Boutique Hotel & Bistro, Above the Sea, The Calders Hotel & Conference Centre and Cape x ta Sea all list Sea among their facilities. Sonnekus and Cape x ta Sea sit on or just off the coast road, Above the Sea has a balcony and terrace, and The Calders adds air conditioning and a minibar for warmer evenings.
Sonnekus Boutique Hotel & Bistro · Above the Sea · The Calders Hotel & Conference Centre · Cape x ta Sea
Pools and spas
St James Guesthouses has an outdoor pool and swimming pool with a garden and terrace, Tranquility Guest House is the only one listing a spa alongside its pool and restaurant, and Abington Manor Fish Hoek Guesthouse has both an indoor and an outdoor pool. Surferscorner Self Catering Apartments offers a pool with a playground for children.
St James Guesthouses · Tranquility Guest House · Abington Manor Fish Hoek Guesthouse · Surferscorner Self Catering Apartments
Top rated
Above the Sea holds a guest rating of 5.0 from 7 reviews, St James Guesthouses 4.8 from 47, and Sonnekus Boutique Hotel & Bistro and The Calders Hotel & Conference Centre both 4.5, from 397 and 195 reviews respectively. These are the most consistently rated stays in the shortlist.
Above the Sea · St James Guesthouses · Sonnekus Boutique Hotel & Bistro · The Calders Hotel & Conference Centre
Where to stay in Kalk Bay
St James
St James sits on the seaward side of Main Road roughly halfway between Kalk Bay and St James, reached by a footbridge over the railway, and its rock pool is refreshed by every high tide, free and unguarded. St James Guesthouses and Sonnekus Boutique Hotel & Bistro are on Main Road here, Rodwell House on Rodwell Rd. The sand is at St James and Muizenberg, ten and fifteen minutes north.
Our picks here: St James Guesthouses · Rodwell House · Sonnekus Boutique Hotel & Bistro
Fish Hoek
Fish Hoek lies along the same False Bay coast, past Kalk Bay on the road and rail line. Constantia House on First Avenue, Tranquility Guest House on Peak Road, Abington Manor Fish Hoek Guesthouse on Abington Circle and Cape x ta Sea on Echo Road all sit here. The village sits at the point where Main Road finally opens out after the narrow Kalk Bay strip.
Our picks here: Constantia House · Tranquility Guest House · Abington Manor Fish Hoek Guesthouse · Cape x ta Sea
Glencairn Heights
Glencairn Heights climbs the mountainside above the coast, trading the immediate sea for wide bay views and easier parking. Peaceful Mountain Home with Views over False Bay is on Cockburn Street here, with a balcony, patio and garden looking over the water, plus a games room, kitchen and family rooms for a longer self-catering stay.
Our picks here: Peaceful Mountain Home with Views over False Bay
Plan your stay
Getting there and around
Kalk Bay is about 35 minutes south of the city centre on the False Bay coast, reached along Main Road, which is a single lane each way and the only road through the village. Come by train or come before nine: on a January Sunday Main Road becomes a stationary queue from Muizenberg to Fish Hoek, and the train runs along the water's edge past the station platform. Parking is the other problem — on-street parking in the village is close to hopeless from mid-morning, so check whether your property has a dedicated bay. Several hotels, including St James Guesthouses, Villa Honeywood, The Calders and Chartfield, list a shuttle service.
When to go
Evenings are the best on this coast, with restaurant windows lit over black water and the Brass Bell the one place with actual late trade on a Friday. Waves break over the seawall onto Main Road in a winter northwester, so a sea-facing window means surf noise all night. January brings the traffic and the crowds along Main Road, while December picks the village clean of accommodation — twenty-odd places and no capacity to expand. For swimming, the tidal pools sit around 18 degrees in February, and locals swim year-round at 7am.
Things to do near Kalk Bay
- Kalk Bay and Muizenberg in a Day: Trains, Tides and Timing
- Kalk Bay area guide: where to stay on the False Bay coast
- Kalk Bay Harbour in the Morning: Fish Market, Tidal Pool and Coffee
- Kalk Bay in October: Coastal Walks and Seabird Days on the False Bay Shore
- Muizenberg and Kalk Bay with Children: A Workable Day on the False Bay Coast
- Kalk Bay Village and Harbour
Questions, answered
Which hotels here have free parking?
St James Guesthouses, Rodwell House, Villa Honeywood Guest House, Peaceful Mountain Home with Views over False Bay, Sonnekus Boutique Hotel & Bistro, The Calders Hotel & Conference Centre, Above the Sea, Constantia House, Surferscorner Self Catering Apartments, A Tuscan Villa Guest House and Cape x ta Sea all list free car parking. On-street parking in the village is close to hopeless from mid-morning, so a dedicated bay matters.
Can I bring a dog?
Only Sonnekus Boutique Hotel & Bistro lists Pets allowed among its facilities. Constantia House states Pets Not Allowed. For any other property on this shortlist the data does not say, so ask the hotel directly before booking.
Which places have a pool?
St James Guesthouses, Villa Honeywood Guest House, Above the Sea, Chartfield Guesthouse, Constantia House, Tranquility Guest House, Abington Manor Fish Hoek Guesthouse, Cape x ta Sea and A Tuscan Villa Guest House all list a swimming pool. Above the Sea specifies a salt water pool, and Abington Manor and Cape x ta Sea have an indoor pool.
Which is best for families?
Peaceful Mountain Home with Views over False Bay lists family rooms, a cot, high chairs, a games room and a kitchen. The Calders Hotel & Conference Centre has family rooms, a cot and a sofa bed, while Surferscorner Self Catering Apartments adds a playground and high chairs and Chartfield Guesthouse offers family rooms with a kitchen.
Which hotels are closest to the centre?
Kalk Bay's centre is its one street, and the closest properties are those with Main Road addresses: St James Guesthouses at 108 Main Road, Sonnekus Boutique Hotel & Bistro at 88 Main Road and The Inn At Castle Hill on Gatesville Road, all within a few hundred metres of the harbour and the antique shops.
Which is the top-rated hotel here?
Above the Sea holds a guest rating of 5.0 from 7 reviews. St James Guesthouses follows at 4.8 from 47 reviews, then Sonnekus Boutique Hotel & Bistro and The Calders Hotel & Conference Centre, both at 4.5, from 397 and 195 reviews respectively.
Where can I have breakfast?
Villa Honeywood Guest House and Constantia House list breakfast, while Sonnekus Boutique Hotel & Bistro and The Calders Hotel & Conference Centre offer breakfast in room. The Olympia Café at 134 Main Road opens at 7am, takes no bookings and will have you queue on the pavement.
Which places have a spa or massage?
Tranquility Guest House is the only property on this shortlist listing a spa. Sonnekus Boutique Hotel & Bistro, Constantia House and A Tuscan Villa Guest House list massage among their facilities.