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5-star hotels in Clifton
A shortlist of 5-star stays in Clifton, the sheltered Atlantic Seaboard coves below Cape Town's priciest real estate. It is for travellers who want sea-facing rooms, hotel service or a private villa, and are happy to drive five minutes to dinner.
Staying in Clifton
Clifton is four sheltered coves below the most expensive real estate in Africa, reached by long stairways with no parking on the beach road. First is the quietest with 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, ice-cream sellers and the Bungalow bar above. At 9pm Clifton is silent, so dinner means driving five minutes to Camps Bay or ten to Sea Point.
The 5-star addresses on this list sit on Kloof Road above the coves, on Victoria Road itself, and in the bungalow lanes running down toward First and Second Beach, with Bantry Bay immediately north. Almost everything here is a self-catering apartment or a villa on the terraces. Couples get sea-facing balconies and plunge-quiet evenings; families get family rooms, kitchens and pools; business travellers get desks, Wi-Fi and shuttle service. Short-break guests should decide up front how many stairs they will accept.
The shortlist
Ranked by hotel class, then guest rating and number of reviews.
The Clarendon Fresnaye
67 Kloof Road, Cape Town, South Africa
Best for: Families · Pool and spa
- Outdoor pool
- Breakfast
- Lounge
Why stay hereSet on Kloof Road in Fresnaye, The Clarendon Fresnaye is a 5-star guest house with an outdoor pool and garden, plus beach access nearby. Rooms come with air conditioning, a balcony and a kitchen or kitchenette, and guests can arrange massages on site. It suits families and longer stays, thanks to family rooms, babysitting service and laundry service. Guests rate it 4.8 out of 5 across 169 reviews.
See The Clarendon FresnayeThe Clarendon Bantry Bay
158 Kloof Road, Cape Town, South Africa
Best for: Families · Drivers
- Outdoor pool
- Spa
- Free car parking
Why stay hereThe Clarendon Bantry Bay sits at 158 Kloof Road, a 5-star address with an outdoor pool, a garden and beach access close by. Air-conditioned rooms have balconies, and some look out to the sea; kitchen and kitchenette facilities make longer stays easy. Guests have free car parking and a shuttle service, and the concierge handles bookings and requests. It fits couples and families, with family rooms and room service. Rated 4.8 out of 5 from 125 reviews.
See The Clarendon Bantry Bay21 Nettleton
19 Nettleton Road, Cape Town, South Africa
Best for: Drivers · Pool and spa
- Outdoor pool
- Free car parking
- Breakfast
Why stay here21 Nettleton on Nettleton Road is a 5-star house with a garden, an outdoor pool and a gymnasium. There is a bar, and the concierge arranges car and bike rental, while the surrounding area offers diving, fishing, golf and horse riding. Air-conditioned rooms include balconies, bathrobes and desks. Suited to active guests and those wanting space and privacy, it has family rooms and babysitting service. Guests give it 4.8 out of 5 from 90 reviews.
See 21 Nettleton52 De Wet
52 De Wet Road Bantry Bay, Cape Town, South Africa
Best for: Pool and spa · Business trips
- Swimming pool
- Spa
Why stay here52 De Wet on De Wet Road in Bantry Bay is a compact 5-star property with a restaurant, a bar, a spa and a swimming pool. The small scale keeps things quiet, and the business centre covers work needs. It suits guests who want the spa and pool on the doorstep and a restaurant without leaving the building. Rated 4.7 out of 5 from 77 reviews.
See 52 De WetCompass House Boutique Hotel
154 Kloof Road Bantry Bay, Cape Town, South Africa
Best for: Drivers · Pool and spa
- Outdoor pool
- Spa
- Free car parking
Why stay hereCompass House Boutique Hotel at 154 Kloof Road combines a garden and outdoor pool with sea views and a spa, and massages can be arranged on site. Air-conditioned rooms have balconies, bathrobes and minibars. Free car parking, a garage and a shuttle service simplify getting around, and the concierge is on hand throughout the day. It suits couples and small groups. Guests rate it 4.6 out of 5 over 77 reviews.
See Compass House Boutique HotelWixy
Bungalow 27 3Rd Beach, Cape Town, South Africa
Best for: Families · Pool and spa
- Swimming pool
- Pets allowed
- Family rooms
Why stay hereWixy is a 5-star property on 3rd Beach with direct beach access nearby, a swimming pool, a garden and a jacuzzi. Self-catering is well covered with a kitchen, oven, microwave and dishwasher, and there is a fireplace for cooler evenings. Air-conditioned rooms have balconies and sea views, and pets are allowed. It suits families and groups, with family rooms and a washing machine. Rated 4.7 out of 5 from 15 reviews.
See WixyEllerman House
180 Kloof Road Bantry Bay, Cape Town, South Africa
Best for: Drivers · Pool and spa
- Outdoor pool
- Sauna
- Free car parking
Why stay hereEllerman House at 180 Kloof Road is a 5-star hotel with an outdoor pool, a garden, a fitness centre and a spa with massages. Dining includes a restaurant, bar, breakfast, lunch and dinner, and the concierge can arrange car rental. Beach access is nearby and a golf course is among the local options. It suits guests wanting full hotel services, with babysitting, a lift and laundry service. No guest rating was supplied for this hotel.
See Ellerman HouseDunmore Skies Penthouse
Apartment 20 Dunmore Skies 5 Victoria Road, Cape Town, South Africa
Best for: Families · Drivers
- Free car parking
- Lounge
- Family rooms
Why stay hereDunmore Skies Penthouse, an apartment at 5 Victoria Road, offers sea views from a balcony and terrace. It is 5-star and self-catering, with a kitchen or kitchenette, oven, microwave, dishwasher and washing machine, plus air conditioning throughout. Free car parking and a garage are provided, and there is a lift and 24-hour front desk. It suits families and groups wanting apartment space by the sea. No guest rating was supplied for this apartment.
See Dunmore Skies PenthouseClifton Spectacular Ocean View Apartment
The Clifton 60 Victoria Road Clifton, Cape Town, South Africa
Best for: Drivers
- Free car parking
- Free Wifi
Why stay hereClifton Spectacular Ocean View Apartment, at The Clifton on Victoria Road, is a 5-star apartment with free wifi and free car parking. Its name points to the sea views that shape a stay here, and the apartment layout suits guests who prefer their own space in Clifton. Beach access is a short step away in this part of the coast. No guest rating and no further facilities were supplied for this apartment.
See Clifton Spectacular Ocean View ApartmentKaldene
16 3Rd Beach Clifton, Cape Town, South Africa
Best for: Families · Drivers
- Outdoor pool
- Spa
- Free car parking
Why stay hereKaldene on 3rd Beach is a 5-star house with an outdoor pool, a garden and a spa, and the beach is nearby. Self-catering facilities include a kitchen, oven, microwave, dishwasher and washing machine, with a fireplace and air conditioning in the rooms. Sea views come with the setting, and pets are allowed. It fits families and groups, with family rooms and a garage. No guest rating was supplied for this property.
See KaldeneRock Villa
17 3Rd Beach Clifton, Cape Town, South Africa
Best for: Pool and spa · Travelling with pets
- Outdoor pool
- Pets allowed
- Kitchen
Why stay hereRock Villa on 3rd Beach is a 5-star house with an outdoor pool, a garden and a terrace, set close to the beach. Self-catering is straightforward, with a kitchen, oven, microwave and washing machine, plus air conditioning and sea views. It suits families and groups, and pets are allowed. No guest rating was supplied for this property.
See Rock VillaClifton Ezulwini
69 Victoria Road, Cape Town, South Africa
Best for: Families · Drivers
- Outdoor pool
- Spa
- Free car parking
Why stay hereClifton Ezulwini at 69 Victoria Road is a 5-star apartment property with an outdoor pool, a garden, a fitness centre and a games room. Beach access is nearby, and canoeing and golf are among the local options; massages can be arranged on site. Apartments have balconies and full kitchens, with air conditioning, a fireplace and a lift. It suits families and groups. No guest rating was supplied for this property.
See Clifton EzulwiniCape Dream Stay
63 Victoria Road Bantry Bay 8005 63 Victoria Road Bantry Bay 8005, Richards Bay, South Africa
Why stay hereCape Dream Stay on Victoria Road is listed as a 5-star property. No facilities or guest rating were supplied in its data, so the listing gives little detail beyond its class. No guest rating was supplied for this property.
See Cape Dream Stay
The shortlist side by side
| Hotel | Class | Parking | Breakfast | Pool or spa | Pets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Clarendon Fresnaye | ★★★★★ | – | Yes | Yes | – |
| The Clarendon Bantry Bay | ★★★★★ | Yes | Yes | Yes | – |
| 21 Nettleton | ★★★★★ | Yes | Yes | Yes | – |
| 52 De Wet | ★★★★★ | – | – | Yes | – |
| Compass House Boutique Hotel | ★★★★★ | Yes | – | Yes | – |
| Wixy | ★★★★★ | – | – | Yes | Yes |
| Ellerman House | ★★★★★ | Yes | Yes | Yes | – |
| Dunmore Skies Penthouse | ★★★★★ | Yes | – | – | – |
| Clifton Spectacular Ocean View Apartment | ★★★★★ | Yes | – | – | – |
| Kaldene | ★★★★★ | Yes | – | Yes | Yes |
| Rock Villa | ★★★★★ | – | – | Yes | Yes |
| Clifton Ezulwini | ★★★★★ | Yes | – | Yes | – |
| Cape Dream Stay | ★★★★★ | – | – | – | – |
From each hotel's own listing on this site; a dash means it is not listed.
How to choose
For families
These have family rooms and self-catering kitchens. The Clarendon Fresnaye and The Clarendon Bantry Bay add cots, high chairs and babysitting, 52 De Wet and Ellerman House have restaurants or banquets, and the bungalow villas Wixy, Kaldene and Rock Villa put the beach at the foot of the stairs.
The Clarendon Fresnaye · The Clarendon Bantry Bay · Wixy · Kaldene · Rock Villa · Clifton Ezulwini
For couples
Sea views, balconies and privacy. The Clarendon Bantry Bay and 21 Nettleton offer massage and concierge service, Dunmore Skies Penthouse and Clifton Spectacular Ocean View Apartment are apartments with terraces over the water, and evenings here stay silent after 9pm.
The Clarendon Bantry Bay · 21 Nettleton · Dunmore Skies Penthouse · Clifton Spectacular Ocean View Apartment
For spa and pool
52 De Wet and Compass House Boutique Hotel both list a spa and a swimming pool. Compass House, Kaldene and Rock Villa add outdoor pools, and Clifton Ezulwini has a fitness centre, games room and massage.
52 De Wet · Compass House Boutique Hotel · Kaldene · Rock Villa · Clifton Ezulwini
Where to stay in Clifton
Bantry Bay
Immediately north of Clifton, Bantry Bay gives similar views with hotel stock rather than villas and Sea Point restaurants ten minutes on foot. These Kloof Road and De Wet Road addresses are the hotel side of the shortlist, with Ellerman House and Compass House both listing parking.
Our picks here: 52 De Wet · Compass House Boutique Hotel · Ellerman House · Cape Dream Stay
Kloof Road
The road above the coves, where The Clarendon Fresnaye, The Clarendon Bantry Bay, Compass House Boutique Hotel and Ellerman House all stand. It is the quietest position on the list, above the stairways rather than on them, and the drive down to the beaches is short.
Our picks here: The Clarendon Fresnaye · The Clarendon Bantry Bay · Compass House Boutique Hotel · Ellerman House
Plan your stay
Getting there and around
Clifton has no parking whatsoever on the beach road, so visitors arrive by car or shuttle and park above, then walk down long stairways to the coves. Ninety steps is normal and two hundred is possible, with no lift on most plots, so secure off-street parking matters. The Bungalow bar sits on Victoria Road above Third Beach, and Camps Bay is five minutes south with Sea Point ten minutes away. In high season, returning after dinner means finding a parking bay again.
When to go
Summer, roughly November to March, is when the beaches work and the water is at its warmest, but January weekends fill the blue-flag beach before 10am and the stairs become a queue. Start the Lion's Head path at 6am in summer. The sheltered corner under the boulders stays calm when the wind is up, and low tide is the time to scramble the granite headlands between the four coves.
Things to do near Clifton
Questions, answered
Which hotels have parking?
The Clarendon Bantry Bay, Compass House Boutique Hotel, Ellerman House, 21 Nettleton, Dunmore Skies Penthouse, Clifton Spectacular Ocean View Apartment, Kaldene and Clifton Ezulwini all list parking or a garage. Secure off-street parking is essential in Clifton and not universal.
Can I stay with a pet?
Wixy, Kaldene and Rock Villa list pets allowed.
Which hotels have a pool or spa?
52 De Wet and Compass House Boutique Hotel list both a spa and a swimming pool. Kaldene and Rock Villa have outdoor pools, and Clifton Ezulwini adds a fitness centre, games room and massage.
Which is best for families?
The Clarendon Fresnaye and The Clarendon Bantry Bay have family rooms, cots, high chairs and babysitting. Wixy, Kaldene and Rock Villa are self-catering with kitchens, and 52 De Wet and Ellerman House have restaurants or banquets.
Which hotel is closest to the centre?
The Clifton addresses on Victoria Road, 60 Victoria Road and 69 Victoria Road, are closest to the beach and the Bungalow bar. Bantry Bay is immediately north, with Sea Point restaurants ten minutes on foot.
Do I need a car?
Yes. Clifton is silent at 9pm with nothing open on the road except the Bungalow, which closes reasonably early. Dinner means driving five minutes to Camps Bay or ten to Sea Point, and in high season you need to find a parking bay again on return.
Do these hotels serve breakfast?
The Clarendon Fresnaye and Ellerman House list breakfast, and The Clarendon Fresnaye, The Clarendon Bantry Bay and 21 Nettleton offer breakfast in room. The villa and apartment properties are self-catering, with kitchens or kitchenettes.