One&Only Cape Town
One Michelin Key
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Hotel Details
Brand
One&Only
Location
One&Only Cape Town · Cape Town, South Africa
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Key Highlights
- ✓One&Only Cape Town is a recognized culinary hotspot, boasting an exceptional collection of restaurants and bars.
Expert Review: One&Only Cape Town
One&Only Cape Town stands as a beacon of luxury and a recipient of the prestigious Michelin Key One-Keys, signifying a "very special stay". Nestled at the vibrant V&A Waterfront, this urban oasis consistently garners praise for its exceptional service, prime location, elegant design, and world-class amenities, offering a comprehensive resort experience within the heart of the Mother City.
Overall Rating & Sentiment
The general consensus for One&Only Cape Town is overwhelmingly positive, with guests frequently describing their stays as excellent and memorable. It is recognized as a premier luxury resort in South Africa, offering a sublime holiday experience. The Michelin Key award further solidifies its reputation for delivering an outstanding guest experience.
Key Highlights
Guests consistently laud the hotel's superb location at the V&A Waterfront, offering panoramic views of Table Mountain, a truly impressive backdrop. The property provides a complete resort experience with vast scale and world-class amenities, including a magnificent Spa Island surrounded by private waterways, a large heated infinity pool (the largest of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere), and dedicated KidsOnly and teen clubs, making it ideal for families. The design is chic and understated, drawing inspiration from the Cape Town region's natural beauty and African culture.
Room Quality
The rooms and suites at One&Only Cape Town are celebrated for their spaciousness, being among the largest in Cape Town. Following an extensive refurbishment in 2022, the interiors showcase an elegant, contemporary design with muted tones reflecting Africa's savannahs. Guests can choose between spectacular views of Table Mountain or the marina and harbor from their private balconies or terraces. Room features typically include king-size or comfortable queen beds, spacious sitting areas, work desks, Nespresso machines, and well-stocked mini-bars. Bathrooms are notably luxurious and spacious, often featuring egg-shaped soaking tubs, rain showers, double marble vanities, and high-quality local Charlotte Rhys toiletries.
Dining Experience
One&Only Cape Town is a recognized culinary hotspot, boasting an exceptional collection of restaurants and bars.
- Nobu: The only Nobu in Southern Africa, offering glamorous Japanese-Peruvian cuisine from global Michelin-starred Chef Nobuyuki Matsuhisa, known for its creative dishes like black cod in miso and an unforgettable gourmet journey.
- ROOI: A South African grillroom that celebrates local flavors and traditions, transforming dishes from land and sea by fire, served in an elegant and contemporary setting.
- ISOLA: Provides an elevated poolside dining experience with Mediterranean and Capetonian flavors, ideal for laid-back island escapism.
- Vista Bar & Lounge: Situated at the heart of the hotel, it offers light dining, elegant afternoon teas with bespoke tiered stands, and cocktails, all framed by breathtaking panoramic views of Table Mountain.
Breakfast, often included in the room rate, is consistently highlighted as exceptional, lavish, and seriously impressive, with a wide array of options including made-to-order eggs and fresh fruit, and even oysters.
Service & Staff
The service at One&Only Cape Town is a major highlight, frequently described as exceptional, friendly, welcoming, and personalized. Guests often commend the staff for going "above and beyond" to ensure a memorable stay. Employee reviews indicate a supportive and welcoming workplace culture that encourages staff to excel. While check-in is generally efficient, some guests have noted it can feel less personal compared to other aspects of service, possibly due to the property's large size.
Location & Accessibility
The hotel's location on Dock Road in the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront is considered highly privileged and unbeatable. It offers direct access to the vibrant waterfront's shops, restaurants, and major tourist attractions like the Two Oceans Aquarium, the Museum of Contemporary African Art, and the Robben Island ferry, all within easy walking distance. The city center is a short drive away, and popular sites like Table Mountain Aerial Cableway and Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden are about a 15-minute drive. Transfers from Cape Town International Airport take approximately 25-30 minutes.
Value & Pricing
One&Only Cape Town is positioned as a luxury property, with room rates starting from approximately $605 to $863+ USD per night for standard accommodations, varying seasonally, and higher for suites. While it represents a significant investment, many guests feel it offers good value for money given its unparalleled amenities, service, and prime location, especially for a full-service resort experience in a major city. However, guests should be aware that on-site restaurants can be pricey, and a resort fee may be added.
Common Complaints
While overwhelmingly positive, some recurring points of feedback include:
- Wi-Fi Limitations: The complimentary Wi-Fi often has a daily data limit (e.g., 500MB), requiring an upgrade for faster or more extensive use.
- Service Inconsistencies: Some minor remarks about service attentiveness at the bar or a lack of personalized warmth during check-in, attributed by some to the hotel's large scale.
- Aesthetic Details: One reviewer noted that the exterior of the main Marina Rise building felt less lush than the island areas, and some common spaces within Marina Rise lacked the serene elegance found in other One&Only properties.
- Spa Bookings: The popular Spa Island can be fully booked during peak times, so advanced reservations are highly recommended.
- Room Lighting: A minor criticism mentioned curtains not completely blocking automated terrace lighting in some rooms.
Sources
- michelin.com
- michelin.com
- michelin.com
- theluxurytravelexpert.com
- thepointsguy.com
- timeout.com
- oneandonlyresorts.com
- mrsoaroundtheworld.com
- oyster.com
- oneandonlyresorts.com
- momondo.com
- secretcapetown.co.za
- andbeyond.com
- hotelguide.co.za
- reddit.com
- whatsonincapetown.com
- theluxuryeditor.com
- oneandonlyresorts.com
- go2africa.com
- oneandonlyresorts.com
- wetu.com
- booking.com
- reddit.com
- indeed.com
- indeed.com
- hotel.co.za
- kayak.com
- agoda.com
Points to Consider
- •Room Lighting: A minor criticism mentioned curtains not completely blocking automated terrace lighting in some rooms.
Google Reviews
3,536 reviews
Recent Guest Reviews
lizole
Room are beautiful, however I was not impressed with the smell given its not a low class resort. The service is still quick and the drink are Instagram worthy ,that's all I can say for now Location being at the waterfront, is amazing Honestly it felt modern and for a change i enjoyed my morning view over the neighborhood...
Response from the owner
Dear Lizole <br><br>Thank you so much for sharing your feedback with us. I am pleased to hear that your overall stay with was wonderful! We loved having with us and are pleased that you enjoyed the re...
Hannah Kallil
This hotel was great, the rooms were so nice, and the staff were incredibly kind and accommodating. I had a bit of a weird request and asked if I could possibly put my cup in a dishwasher, something I’ve honestly never asked anywhere before lol. They were immediately on it and had no problem helping at all. I really appreciated that, especially since I wasn’t able to clean it myself. Their kindnes...
Response from the owner
Dear Hannah <br><br>Thank you for your generous words and sharing your feedback. It warms my heart to know your time with us is such a success, and that so many aspects of your visit are impressed. We...
Jawaun Hill
My stay at the One and Only Hotel was nothing short of exceptional. From the moment I arrived, the atmosphere felt luxurious, clean, and welcoming. The rooms were beautifully maintained, incredibly comfortable, and equipped with everything I needed. The entire property is well-kept, and the amenities truly live up to the hotel’s name top-tier and thoughtfully designed for guests’ comfort. Every st...
Response from the owner
Dear Jawaun <br><br>Thank you for your generous words and phenomenal feedback! It truly warms my heart that your experience was beyond exceptional. We strive to ensure the highest standard for our gue...
Fauzia Rylands
My recent stay at the One&Only Hotel and Spa in Cape Town was nothing short of spectacular. From the moment I arrived, I was greeted with warm hospitality and seamless check-in, instantly setting the tone for an exceptional experience. The property itself is stunning—beautifully designed, impeccably maintained, and perfectly situated with breathtaking views of Table Mountain. The highlight of my ...
Response from the owner
Dear Fauzia <br><br>Thank you for your kind words!<br><br>It warms my heart to know your time with us was such a success, and that so many aspects of your visit impressed. We are happy that you apprec...
Louise Freeland
We stayed at the One&Only Cape Town for 6 nights in a Family Island Suite and it was an exceptional experience from start to finish. The suite itself was stunning — incredibly spacious, luxury and perfect for a longer stay. It truly felt like a home away from home. The service was outstanding throughout our stay. Having a dedicated WhatsApp group made everything effortless, from arranging reserva...
Response from the owner
Dear Louise <br><br>Thank you so much for your generous words!<br><br>We’re truly honoured to have been part of such a special and memorable time in your lives. It means the world to us that you enjoy...
YuKira
I travelled to Cape Town for business and was absolutely taken back by the experience at the One and Only hotel. From the moment I arrived it set a new standard for luxury professionalism and world class hospitality. I run a company that partners with investors and businesses to optimise capital efficiency using quantitative AI methodologies and we have built South Africas most advanced AI in gol...
Response from the owner
Dear YuKira <br><br>We’re truly honoured to have been part of such a special and memorable visit. It means the world to us that you enjoyed the resort and the thoughtful touches. It warms me that you ...
About One Michelin Key
One Michelin Key is awarded to hotels that offer a very special stay. These properties are characterized by their unique personality, high quality, and ability to create memorable experiences for guests.
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