The Portswood

Cape Town, South Africa

Virgin rating

Standard Queen Room
Standard Room
Deluxe Suite
Studio King Room
Captain's Suite
Captain's Suite
Captain's Suite
Links Bar
Quarter Kitchen Restaurant
Standard Queen Room
Standard Room
Deluxe Suite
Studio King Room
Captain's Suite
Captain's Suite
Captain's Suite
Links Bar
Quarter Kitchen Restaurant

The hotel

Linking location and legendary history, The Portswood is more than a hotel – it’s the full Cape Town experience. Part of the city’s history, it’s built around the original holding cells for prisoners destined for Robben Island 300 years ago. Today the address is more coveted – and the guests more enthusiastic – thanks to its brilliant spot in the V&A Waterfront, just a few minutes stroll from its famous dining, drinking, and entertainment scene. This fashionable location is a perfect base for exploring the rest of Cape Town. The Portswood comes with its own attractions too, including chic cosmopolitan styling, an outdoor pool, the elegant Quarter Kitchen Restaurant & Cocktail Bar featuring a Cape Malay menu, and a terrace offering light meals and tipples from the Links Bar.

Amenities

  • Bar
  • Internet Access
  • Restaurant
  • Room Service
  • Swimming Pool
  • Valet parking

Where is it

Located at the entrance to the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront. Transfer time from Cape Town Airport: 30-40 minutes.

Hotel information

101 nautical themed rooms, all with air-conditioning, TV, tea/coffee-making facilities and hairdryer. Standard Rooms have either 1 queen-size bed or 2 small double beds, sleeping maximum 2 adults.

Spacious Deluxe Suites enjoy a larger seating area, modern bathroom and 1 double bed, sleeping maximum 2 adults.

Studio King Rooms have an open plan lounge area, bathroom with separate shower and bath and 1 double bed, sleeping maximum 2 adults.

The Captain's Suite boasts an open plan dining room, lounge area and main bedroom with views of the Waterfront and the Atlantic Ocean, sleeping maximum 2 adults.

Quarter Kitchen restaurant (Cape Malay/Malaysian cuisine). The Terrace (light snacks). Cocktail bar. Swimming pool. Casuarina Wellness Centre* (at the Commodore Hotel). Complimentary WiFi access. 24-hour room service*.

* Denotes local charge.

Rating summary

  • Location Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Sleep Quality Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Rooms Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Service Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Value Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Cleanliness Image of the Tripadvisor rating

Traveller rating

  • Excellent (402)
  • Very good (449)
  • Average (131)
  • Poor (37)
  • Terrible (19)
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Comfortable Hotel on the Edge of the V&A District

Nov 22, 2023 daviddD2632SM Mold, United Kingdom

Handily placed standard comfortable city hotel, on the edge of the V&A district, so I wouldn’t describe it as “Cape Town Central” (about a half hour walk). We only ate there one night as there are loads of eateries in the V&A but had a very decent evening meal. Breakfast was fabulous. Staff in the restaurant were delightful.
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Great place to stay if visiting V&A Waterfront !

Nov 21, 2023 Geraldine02 Malmesbury, United Kingdom

To be fair the only complaint, and this is digging deep, the wi fi isn't the best! Otherwise we had a great time at the hotel, so close to the V&A waterfront, felt like royalty when our car was taken on our arrival and brought back each time we wanted to use it! Seriously cannot think of any other negatives, if we come back we would definitely… Read more
To be fair the only complaint, and this is digging deep, the wi fi isn't the best! Otherwise we had a great time at the hotel, so close to the V&A waterfront, felt like royalty when our car was taken on our arrival and brought back each time we wanted to use it! Seriously cannot think of any other negatives, if we come back we would definitely stay here again Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Nice small hotel with excellent location. Few bits went missing from fridge….

Nov 17, 2023 1512becky West Bromwich, United Kingdom

Booked through Virgin Holidays to stay at the Commodore due to its location to the V&A and it was a bit cheaper than other hotels in the area with decent reviews. Upon arrival from the UK despite emailing them days prior we were told due to an error there was no room at the hotel for us and we must stay at the sister hotel - the portswood. I’ll… Read more
Booked through Virgin Holidays to stay at the Commodore due to its location to the V&A and it was a bit cheaper than other hotels in the area with decent reviews. Upon arrival from the UK despite emailing them days prior we were told due to an error there was no room at the hotel for us and we must stay at the sister hotel - the portswood. I’ll admit I was groggy at this having booked nearly a year in advance and having travelled for 20 hours. We were then told we wouldn’t be able to have the upgraded room we had already paid for, which to me wasn’t acceptable. After back and forth we were told we could more back into the hotel once there was room but as we were only staying 5 nights the last thing we wanted to do was unpack, pack and check in and out again when we had already got all our days planned. Despite a free dinner (which we didn’t want as we had all our dinners booked) there was no other follow up or compensation. The Portswood: Nice spacious room. We ended up in a king studio. Quaint little hotel and staff are friendly. We were on the bottom floor so had a lot of noise from the smoking terrace late and night (management could shut this area ideally at night and just use the pool area) and from the lobby, but would expect this at most hotels. Nice modern tv, products, nippy hair dryer etc. we had a problem with our safe breaking once a day locking our stuff inside but didn’t make a fuss. Air con is noisy and not the most sufficient but had worse. Great location and felt safe. Super comfy sunbeds but only a little courtyard so once the sun goes it’s gone but still a pleasant area to chill. Used the gym when I didn’t go for a run over at the Commodore. For a hotel gym there were some decent bits of equipment, good dumbbell and barbel range and a couple of cardio’s pieces. Definitely been at far worse with a lot less so sufficient for holiday workouts. Only con is that the room is like a greenhouse. It looked like there was air con but you didn’t feel any outcome from it. If you could add a few extra things like kettlebells, different pulley handles like a clip rope or skipping rope etc then I think that would really benefit future users. Concerns: Housekeeping and night time turndowns were thorough. However I did have my own food in the mini fridge and had several items go missing, I.e chocolate bars from share pack and yogurts (no I didn’t eat them and forget aha). I know it’s only minor but does make you paranoid over who you can trust in your room. Fortunately we always kept the valuables in the safe and it was often broken so no one would have gotten anything anyway! Tips and feedback for hotel and future guests - In warmer months use a lighter tog on the duvet. It was very heavy. - Add another socket and usb to both sides of the bed. - Bring your own South African plug converter. - Use the hotel hair dryer. It’s good enough. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Great location for sightseeing and waterfront atmosphere

Nov 17, 2023 Julia G

Very friendly and helpful staff - thanks are due to them for keeping the room and hotel so clean. The room was lovely, very comfortable bed and pillows, with a nice view of the garden and pool and with good facilities. Compliments to the chef and team for excellent food. The location was ideal for exploring the waterfront and the centre of the… Read more
Very friendly and helpful staff - thanks are due to them for keeping the room and hotel so clean. The room was lovely, very comfortable bed and pillows, with a nice view of the garden and pool and with good facilities. Compliments to the chef and team for excellent food. The location was ideal for exploring the waterfront and the centre of the city on foot. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Excellent

Nov 6, 2023 Nicole C Ireland

Stayed with my family here for three nights, very good experience, the food was very good the staff were amazing and very helpful, it’s only a two minute walk down to the waterfront, the walk down is enclosed and very very safe there is always and security guard there, over all we really enjoyed our stay.