Tour companies tend to suggest visitors to Cape Town opt for one of the big hotels along the new waterfront – perhaps the One and Only, or the Victoria and Albert, or the Radisson Blu. We much prefer hotels that are small and more discreet – less obviously bling if you like. We opted for Kensington Place, a delightful small hotel with eight suites. It’s situated in the leafy Cape Town suburb of Higgovale, surrounded by Table Mountain and overlooking the city. It has a beautiful garden, with the breakfast room overlooking the pool area from an outside deck. Great staff, great views of Table Mountain, wonderful breakfasts – a great place to stay.

It’s set in a largely residential area but you can easily walk into town from here – it’s straightforward – and you pass many of Cape Town’s old colonial buildings, with good spots to eat. Alternatively, the hotel has a preferred taxi firm, geared up to look for elderly couples walking around the town. There are quite a few signs suggesting that security is quite important here, though we never felt anything but safe during the day.

Hotel Kensington Place Cape Town

The lounge, opening on to the terrace

Room with a view

The terrace

Welcome signs on some of the houses…

Old Cape Town, walking to the waterfront from the hotel