Name: The Portswood Hotel
Address: Portswood Road, Cape Town, South Africa, Cape Town, Western Cape, ZA
Price range: $153–$1,266 per night
Rating: 8.73

What guests think

The Portswood Hotel earns consistent praise for friendly, helpful staff and a prime, safe location a short walk from the V&A Waterfront, with many guests also appreciating generally clean rooms, enjoyable breakfasts, a relaxed pool area, and handy on-site parking.

Common drawbacks include small or dated rooms and occasional noise from renovations or other guests. Some guests report inconsistent parking fees or communication, and a few experienced slow or unhelpful reception or bar service. Overall, a solid base for Cape Town stays.

Facilities

Cleanliness

Rooms

Service

Location

Dining

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AI-generated summary based on recent guest reviews

Facilities

Pool and loungers are appreciated, with access to a gym. Parking is available but fees and access can be confusing, and bar service was occasionally slow.

Related guest reviews

8

Sarah

Dec 10, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

The hotel itself is great, finding the entrance to the parking garage (if you don’t know where you are going), is a little tricky, and I truly believe that the parking charge should be included in the room rate, an additional R120.00 a day for parking is an unexpected add-on! The room was very good, the bathroom was compact but adequate. Check in was fine, except I had booked three rooms and they weren’t linked to my name, but only to my reservation number so momentary panic when it looked like only one room was booked, and although all three rooms were booked with queen size beds, one of them had 2 x ¾ - presumably this could have been altered, but we checked in fairly late so wanted to freshen up and go for supper, so left this as it was.

10

Pauleen

Jan 24, 2025

·

Stayed 4 nights

The hotel is in a great location for access to the waterfront. Lots of parking and excellent breakfast. Staff were helpful and cheerful. Clean well equipped room. Pool area quiet and clean, lovely sunbeams and lots of shade. Pool service for drinks and snacks was easy. Highly recommend this hotel if you want something close to waterfront with parking and easy access onto main routes.

10

Wessel

Sep 9, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

no lift tp parking area for disabled/injured people to get to their car

10

Yvonne

Oct 23, 2024

·

Stayed 3 nights

Mycket trevligt hotel vid Waterfront. Bra gym, trevlig restaurang, pool och solstolar som jag nyttjade. Vill bara tillägga att det är en otroligt god service. När vi reste hem så hade vi glömt kvar våra pass i säkerhetsskåpet så vi var nära att missa flyget. Vi ringde hotellet och dom skickade en taxi med våra pass så vi kunde flyga hem. Fantastisk service Vi kommer gärna tillbaka

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8

Elvera

Feb 10, 2026

·

Stayed 8 nights

All staff were very helpful and pleasant. The room was clean, bathroom had good shower over bathtub.Bed very comfortable and good quality towels etc. Espresso coffee machine in room and kettle supplied on request. Swimming pool and comfortable sun loungers with umbrellas. Just across the road from the Waterfront so great location. Small convenience shop in the hotel complex. Restaurant food tasty and well priced. I would stay again.

10

Nicola

Sep 17, 2025

·

Stayed 5 nights

Fantastic location, can walk to the Waterfront shops/restaurants within 3-4 minutes, the neighbourhood felt safe. Room and restaurant lovely, nice bar. The staff were all friendly and helpful.

6

JG Ritchie

Feb 15, 2024

·

Stayed 3 nights

I was not warned that this stay (unlike a recent stay) did not include parking - so best to check when booking! Cleaning staff in rooms/passages are VERY noisy when talking to each other. Good wi fi, glad to have news channels on TV (Sky & CNN). Spacious room and great to have a fridge. Providing water is a nice touch. I was unhappy to see hat no separate container was provided for recycling.

10

Rich

Nov 1, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Valet parking no charge. Tip only

10

Yvonne

Oct 14, 2024

·

Stayed 3 nights

Trevligt hotel och nära till Waterfront All personal är väldigt trevlig och hjälpsam. Det var fel på en kontakt på mitt rum och dom kom direkt och bytte den så mycket god service. Gymmet som man får nyttja är riktigt bra med både maskiner och lösa vikter.

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8

Alex

May 1, 2024

·

Stayed 3 nights

Very convenient for the waterfront. One evening we sat in the bar and no one came to serve us. After 30mins we left for our room. We had an issue checking out early. The hotel blamed Expedia, and vice versa. Annoying, but it got sorted out within 30mins. And after, the duty manager gave us 2 free tickets to the diamond museum (which was worth a visit - if you can stand the sales pressure!!!)

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Cleanliness

Reviews frequently describe the property as clean and well kept. Some noted worn carpets or windows needing attention, and a few mentioned bathroom or buffet hygiene issues.

Related guest reviews

10

Pauleen

Jan 24, 2025

·

Stayed 4 nights

The hotel is in a great location for access to the waterfront. Lots of parking and excellent breakfast. Staff were helpful and cheerful. Clean well equipped room. Pool area quiet and clean, lovely sunbeams and lots of shade. Pool service for drinks and snacks was easy. Highly recommend this hotel if you want something close to waterfront with parking and easy access onto main routes.

8

Agnieszka

Jun 4, 2023

·

Stayed 2 nights

Our usual stop when visiting Cape Town V&A Waterfront. Walking distance to great shops and restaurants, very convenient parking, safe area. Always very friendly and good value. Things that didnt work for us and could be improved- - we had a room next to the aircon unit (or it seemed like) which made it for a noisy stay - the hallway carpets looked like they could do with a good wash/scrub - the food in the breakfast bar was a bit uninspiring and of a basic range, the pre-prepared fruit a bit dry but even if you came down for some coffee, nothing else, you would still leave the dining area smelling of food, mostly fried due to the poor kitchen ventilation (?)

10

Jonine

Jun 9, 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

Staff very friendly and helpful. Carpets need cleaning.

10

Neal

Apr 1, 2023

·

Stayed 5 nights

Perfect location. Very helpful and friendly staff. Beautiful view from our 4th floor room facing the water. Room very was very maintained and clean.

8

Elvera

Feb 10, 2026

·

Stayed 8 nights

All staff were very helpful and pleasant. The room was clean, bathroom had good shower over bathtub.Bed very comfortable and good quality towels etc. Espresso coffee machine in room and kettle supplied on request. Swimming pool and comfortable sun loungers with umbrellas. Just across the road from the Waterfront so great location. Small convenience shop in the hotel complex. Restaurant food tasty and well priced. I would stay again.

10

Andrew

Dec 7, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Great staff could not do enough for you and the whole place was spotless

10

Scott

Sep 24, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Great location, clean and really friendly staff

10

Lionel

Jul 28, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Excellent location close to the Waterfront and all Cape Town city has to offer, good value and clean rooms.

10

Ian

Jul 6, 2024

·

Stayed 4 nights

We had walked past this hotel on 2 previous visits so we knew it was a great location. Communication prior to visit was excellent (we had a flight delay) all staff were friendly and welcoming. Our room was superb, cheeky partial view of table mountain. Negatives- outside of windows needed a clean, but that's just poor timing 😁 We also had a bit of noise from room opposite, but that's beyond hotels control Breakfast was good but sadly overpriced. Would definitely stay on our next visit.

8

Gary

Jan 24, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Portswood is an older property which has charm but is now looking tired in places. The staff are friendly and attentive, the rooms are smallish but clean.

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Rooms

Rooms are comfortable with good beds, though many are small and a bit dated; some have pleasant views. Noise from corridors, outside works, or air-conditioning affected some stays.

Related guest reviews

8

alejandra

Aug 6, 2024

·

Stayed 3 nights

This is a nice hotel, very clean with helpful professional staff. It was pretty noisy at night with people speaking loudly and banging doors. The windows need new framing because they are very drafty. Other than these issues it was a very pleasant stay.

8

Joseph

Jun 7, 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

A very nice property: I thought more a 3star than a 4 star. & elevator was not functioning and won’t be for weeks/ months

8

Mark

Apr 17, 2023

·

Stayed 5 nights

Well located just a short and safe walk to the V&A Waterfront. Spacious room with excellent views.

6

Ingrid

Jan 16, 2026

·

Stayed 3 nights

Staff and location were excellent But over priced for small room and had to pay for parking our car and

8

MICHAEL

Dec 3, 2022

·

Stayed 19,329 nights

Room air conditioner was a little too noisy. Otherwise a great hotel and a great stay.

2

Jessica

Oct 11, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

At check in the porter took us to 3 different levels before heading back to reception as he was able to find our room. Rooms are very small, old decor and bathrooms need renovation. Not worth the price tag. Overnight we had to call security as there was a fight in the hallway outside our room, people yelling, slamming doors, we felt extremely unsafe. Breakfast buffet has small flies all over the bread and baked items. Despite its excellent location in Cape Town, and easy access to VA Waterfront, won’t be staying here again.

10

Ian

Jul 6, 2024

·

Stayed 4 nights

We had walked past this hotel on 2 previous visits so we knew it was a great location. Communication prior to visit was excellent (we had a flight delay) all staff were friendly and welcoming. Our room was superb, cheeky partial view of table mountain. Negatives- outside of windows needed a clean, but that's just poor timing 😁 We also had a bit of noise from room opposite, but that's beyond hotels control Breakfast was good but sadly overpriced. Would definitely stay on our next visit.

8

Gary

Jan 24, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Portswood is an older property which has charm but is now looking tired in places. The staff are friendly and attentive, the rooms are smallish but clean.

8

Marize

Mar 17, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Hotel muito bem localizado, equipe muito simpática e prestativa. Banheiro e cama bons. Achei o hotel um pouco antiquado mas bem conservado

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6

Sue

Apr 7, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Leider Teppiche und Zimmer sehr klein, weiter weg zum Zimmer. Aber sehr nahe an der waterfront. War laut da im Umbau, leider stand nichts davon auf der Beschreibung.

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Service

Staff are widely praised as friendly, attentive, and helpful. However, several guests reported reception or reservation hiccups and occasional slow or unresponsive service, including at the bar.

Related guest reviews

10

Anna

Sep 5, 2023

·

Stayed 3 nights

This place went above and beyond and we had the best stay. Staff are so helpful - shoutout to Ricardo! - and was the perfect way to start our trip. Will be coming back!

10

MICHAEL

Feb 22, 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

Smaller than sister hotel next door and arguably nicer for being more bijou. Staff were the absolute best and always helpful. Really good spot to start a visit to Cape area. Would certainly stay there again.

2

LAIANE

Oct 12, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Recepção desastrosa! Nao encontraram as reservas de boa parte do nosso grupo. Extrema má vontade para resolver o problema. Conflitos de informações

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10

Yvonne

Oct 23, 2024

·

Stayed 3 nights

Mycket trevligt hotel vid Waterfront. Bra gym, trevlig restaurang, pool och solstolar som jag nyttjade. Vill bara tillägga att det är en otroligt god service. När vi reste hem så hade vi glömt kvar våra pass i säkerhetsskåpet så vi var nära att missa flyget. Vi ringde hotellet och dom skickade en taxi med våra pass så vi kunde flyga hem. Fantastisk service Vi kommer gärna tillbaka

Translate

8

Elvera

Feb 10, 2026

·

Stayed 8 nights

All staff were very helpful and pleasant. The room was clean, bathroom had good shower over bathtub.Bed very comfortable and good quality towels etc. Espresso coffee machine in room and kettle supplied on request. Swimming pool and comfortable sun loungers with umbrellas. Just across the road from the Waterfront so great location. Small convenience shop in the hotel complex. Restaurant food tasty and well priced. I would stay again.

10

stephen

Dec 18, 2023

·

Stayed 7 nights

Fantastic hotel with super friendly staff

2

Andre

Jan 29, 2026

·

Stayed 1 night

We paid over R3000 for a night's stay and was disappointed to find a very average room. The bathroom was a disgrace. Wheelchair friendly, but equipped like a hospital bathroom! I could just as well have stayed in an old age home! (No offence!) The showerhead to be hold in your hand. No bath. A 'medical' chair to use in the shower! (Really??) The coffee (pod machine) was not a good brand and only 4 milkpods? The room rate did NOT even include breakfast and the parking was for our own cost. (R120). In the morning I shared my dissappointment with reception, but received no response.

10

Janet

Feb 28, 2026

·

Stayed 3 nights

Wonderful staff

10

Robert

Jun 22, 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

Fantastic staff. Very helpful. Excellent breakfast. Five minutes to the heart of the V&A Harbor.

8

Alex

May 1, 2024

·

Stayed 3 nights

Very convenient for the waterfront. One evening we sat in the bar and no one came to serve us. After 30mins we left for our room. We had an issue checking out early. The hotel blamed Expedia, and vice versa. Annoying, but it got sorted out within 30mins. And after, the duty manager gave us 2 free tickets to the diamond museum (which was worth a visit - if you can stand the sales pressure!!!)

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Location

Exceptional location steps from the V&A Waterfront; guests find it safe and very walkable to shops and restaurants, with easy access to city routes.

Related guest reviews

10

Pauleen

Jan 24, 2025

·

Stayed 4 nights

The hotel is in a great location for access to the waterfront. Lots of parking and excellent breakfast. Staff were helpful and cheerful. Clean well equipped room. Pool area quiet and clean, lovely sunbeams and lots of shade. Pool service for drinks and snacks was easy. Highly recommend this hotel if you want something close to waterfront with parking and easy access onto main routes.

10

KAthryn

Oct 9, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Perfect location wonderful staff

8

Elvera

Feb 10, 2026

·

Stayed 8 nights

All staff were very helpful and pleasant. The room was clean, bathroom had good shower over bathtub.Bed very comfortable and good quality towels etc. Espresso coffee machine in room and kettle supplied on request. Swimming pool and comfortable sun loungers with umbrellas. Just across the road from the Waterfront so great location. Small convenience shop in the hotel complex. Restaurant food tasty and well priced. I would stay again.

10

Nicola

Sep 17, 2025

·

Stayed 5 nights

Fantastic location, can walk to the Waterfront shops/restaurants within 3-4 minutes, the neighbourhood felt safe. Room and restaurant lovely, nice bar. The staff were all friendly and helpful.

10

Debra R

Nov 1, 2023

·

Stayed 4 nights

I liked that it was so close to the V&A And felt very safe.

10

Lionel

Jul 28, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Excellent location close to the Waterfront and all Cape Town city has to offer, good value and clean rooms.

10

JD

Oct 5, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Ideal location to explore the city centre

10

Lana

Feb 7, 2023

·

Stayed 2 nights

Great location to Waterfront. Nice hotel and rooms, good breakfast. Would recommend it to others.

10

Charles

Dec 24, 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

Great location - close to the waterfront - lots of restaurants and things to do.

10

Michel

Feb 22, 2023

·

Netjes en lekker dichtbij het waterfront

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Dining

Breakfast and on-site dining receive frequent praise for quality and variety. Some found breakfast overpriced or basic, with occasional hygiene or noise issues and slow bar service.

Related guest reviews

10

ELANA

Dec 30, 2024

·

Stayed 9 nights

Staff were so friendly and always happy to help out if needed. Hotel in a fantastic position. Breakfast was great. Hotel a little tired but everything else was just great

10

Pauleen

Jan 24, 2025

·

Stayed 4 nights

The hotel is in a great location for access to the waterfront. Lots of parking and excellent breakfast. Staff were helpful and cheerful. Clean well equipped room. Pool area quiet and clean, lovely sunbeams and lots of shade. Pool service for drinks and snacks was easy. Highly recommend this hotel if you want something close to waterfront with parking and easy access onto main routes.

8

Agnieszka

Jun 4, 2023

·

Stayed 2 nights

Our usual stop when visiting Cape Town V&A Waterfront. Walking distance to great shops and restaurants, very convenient parking, safe area. Always very friendly and good value. Things that didnt work for us and could be improved- - we had a room next to the aircon unit (or it seemed like) which made it for a noisy stay - the hallway carpets looked like they could do with a good wash/scrub - the food in the breakfast bar was a bit uninspiring and of a basic range, the pre-prepared fruit a bit dry but even if you came down for some coffee, nothing else, you would still leave the dining area smelling of food, mostly fried due to the poor kitchen ventilation (?)

8

Elvera

Feb 10, 2026

·

Stayed 8 nights

All staff were very helpful and pleasant. The room was clean, bathroom had good shower over bathtub.Bed very comfortable and good quality towels etc. Espresso coffee machine in room and kettle supplied on request. Swimming pool and comfortable sun loungers with umbrellas. Just across the road from the Waterfront so great location. Small convenience shop in the hotel complex. Restaurant food tasty and well priced. I would stay again.

2

Jessica

Oct 11, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

At check in the porter took us to 3 different levels before heading back to reception as he was able to find our room. Rooms are very small, old decor and bathrooms need renovation. Not worth the price tag. Overnight we had to call security as there was a fight in the hallway outside our room, people yelling, slamming doors, we felt extremely unsafe. Breakfast buffet has small flies all over the bread and baked items. Despite its excellent location in Cape Town, and easy access to VA Waterfront, won’t be staying here again.

10

Per

Jul 18, 2023

·

Stayed 14 nights

Jag hade detractors hotellet som bas under 15 dagar som jag tillbringade i hela Cape West. Läget är mycket bra nära till Waterfront och mycket säker omgivning. Servicen var extraordinär och hela personalen ville mycket väl. Värt är också att nämna deras 5-stjärniga frukost

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10

Robert

Jun 22, 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

Fantastic staff. Very helpful. Excellent breakfast. Five minutes to the heart of the V&A Harbor.

10

Ian

Jul 6, 2024

·

Stayed 4 nights

We had walked past this hotel on 2 previous visits so we knew it was a great location. Communication prior to visit was excellent (we had a flight delay) all staff were friendly and welcoming. Our room was superb, cheeky partial view of table mountain. Negatives- outside of windows needed a clean, but that's just poor timing 😁 We also had a bit of noise from room opposite, but that's beyond hotels control Breakfast was good but sadly overpriced. Would definitely stay on our next visit.

10

Peter John

Feb 14, 2025

·

Stayed 5 nights

A very welcoming hotel close to all the attractions of the V and A Waterfront. All staff very helpful and friendly. Restaurant buffet breakfast delicious and dinner menu varied,high quality and reasonably priced. An enjoyable 5 night stay .This boutique hotel offers all the requirements for the most discerning traveller.

10

Jesse

Jun 18, 2023

·

Stayed 6 nights

Great place with a great location. Excellent breakfast

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AI-generated summary based on recent guest reviews

Month	Average price
January	$350
February	$226
March	$201
April	$157
May	$180
June	$128
July	$134
August	$134
September	$162
October	$199
November	$220
December	$220

Su	Mo	Tu	We	Th	Fr	Sa
		1	2	3	4 $173	5 $168
6 $167	7 $165	8 $165	9 $153	10 $153	11 $238	12 $165
13 $153	14 $153	15 $153	16 $205	17 $204	18 $217	19 $204
20 $204	21 $204	22	23	24 $205	25 $230	26
27	28 $207	29 $170	30 $209

Su	Mo	Tu	We	Th	Fr	Sa
				1 $222	2 $222	3 $222
4 $222	5 $157	6 $209	7 $209	8 $169	9 $169	10 $170
11 $222	12 $1,266	13 $234	14 $234	15 $234	16 $234	17 $234
18 $234	19 $233	20 $234	21 $277	22 $303	23 $209	24 $222
25 $222	26 $209	27 $170	28 $208	29 $233	30 $222	31 $234

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Monthly average prices

About this property

Location

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What guests think

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