For more information and to book please visit www.mrandmrssmith.com or let us arrange your whole trip, by calling +44 (0)20 8987 4312 or from the USA dial 1 866 610 3867.
The oldest city in South Africa, this patch of the world also experiences one of the highest numbers of sunshine hour a year. Mind you, you may want to banish all thoughts about how you look in a bikini, as eating and drinking in Cape Town is world-class and wonderfully inexpensive. The city’s cosmopolitan personality and welcoming spirit is best experienced among the lively cafés, bars and vibrant boutiques of Long and Kloof streets and the Cape Quarter, while Camps Bay is the bustling holiday strip where sun-worshippers flock to its white beaches by day, and crowds fill the bars for the local tipple, a sundowner, at dusk. Once you’ve had your fill of the surf, there is no shortage of excitement on turf – from animal-watching on safari or sampling the fruits of the winelands. And as it is only two hours ahead of GMT, European visitors can delight in escaping any jet lag.
The energetic should walk up Platteklip Gorge to the top of Table Mountain, then take the cable car down. Or tackle Lions Head, at its most romantic during full moon – provided you have a torch. The bickering and bruises in store without one are probably not the best fun.
Our round-up of the hippest hideaways and romantic boutique hotels in Cape Town
Kensington Place is Cape Town’s original boutique bolthole. This stylish retreat is located on the slopes of Table Mountain, a stroll from all the action, and a drive from amazing beaches.
This Cape Town boutique hotel's unassuming exterior belies the warmth and luxury within – Derwent House is a snug and stylish bed and breakfast, boasting original art by Nelson Mandela and an irresistible family atmosphere.
This luxury hideaway has relaxed hilltop rooms set amid great gardens, a drive from the Cape Town's best beaches.
With more debonair 1930s charm than an Evelyn Waugh character strolling through an exhibition of Lee Miller photographs, Beaumont House hotel is an early 20th-century gem in Cape Town’s quiet and leafy suburbs.
Enjoy stupendous views at the super-chic Les Cascades de Bantry Bay, a world away from the corporate five-star international hotels.
Lovingly restored to its parquet-floored, clipped-lawn glory, Rodwell House is a refined 1930s mansion that houses a boutique hotel, an impressive collection of 20th-century art, a huge wine cellar and two passionate hosts.
Hidden amid the seaside streets of Bantry Bay in Cape Town, O on Kloof boutique hotel is infused with clean-lined style (we’re talking whites, dark woods, and flashes of aqua and scarlet), and is staffed by the friendliest folk in the business.
A five-star guesthouse perched on the slopes of the Twelve Apostles along Cape Town's Atlantic seaboard, this elegant hideaway truly is a haven of simplicity and style.
Welgelegen is an alluringly simple boutique bed and breakfast, a minute's walk from all the bars and restaurants on trendy Kloof Street.
A labour of love for its two British owners, 22 is a contemporary bed and breakfast and a true boutique escape: intimate and personable with an eye for bold colour and smart, sassy design.
This guesthouse stay, just 30 minutes outside Cape Town, affords you a nostalgic glimpse into South Africa’s vintage winelands world: lingering breakfasts, vineyard walks, sundowners on the stoop and feelgood dinners in Hawksmoor House's 18th-century dining room.
Planes, trains, automobiles, or maybe even helicopter – we tell you the best way to go.
1 January The street party that is Cape Town New Year Carnaval promises colourful song-and-dance shenanigans. March–April Cape Town Festival is an exciting arts extravaganza that takes place in the City Bowl and at the Waterfront – the short-film and food offerings are our favourite part of it. November–April Picnic in the prettiest part of town, to the smooth sounds of Kirstenbosch Summer Sunset Concerts (www.nbi.ac.za).
Start a glorious Cape day here, with a latte and enormous muffin, or Portuguese custard tart.
34, Kloof Street
A good spot for brunch; try their bread, baked on the premises – the coconut variety is particularly delicious.
151, Kloof Street
For a picnic in gorgeous grounds, head to the suburbs of Constantia where this café supplies great value, ready-made hampers.
Constantia
Recently taken over by chef Frank Dangereux – the man who made La Colombe one of the best restaurants in Cape Town - this is more of a café than a restaurant, and a great place for lunch.
Noordhoek
Fire up your evening at this hot-spot – there’s a fantastic open-air patio on which to soak up the sea air, while seeing and being seen.
The Promenade, Camps Bay
Another popular Camps Bay hangout, this time with beach views as eye-watering as the revellers that frequent it.
Victoria Road, Camps Bay
Apart from the mouth-watering food at this slick sushi restaurant, there’s eye candy, too - not only in the presentation but in the form of a dazzling saltwater fish tank, which divides the dining area and cocktail lounge.
72 Waterkant Street
Occupying an old two-storey building in the trendy Bo-Kaap district, this restaurant is consistently booked-up. The kitchen serves up global contemporary fusion cuisine with finesse – it’s worth reserving a table up to a fortnight in advance – while Shoga upstairs has more of a bistro look and feel to it.
121, Castle Street
A zhuzhed-up Victorian house, home to one of the city’s chicest eateries, is more South Beach than South Africa. It’s only open for supper from 7pm, and it’s by no means the cheapest option in town, but the European, Asian and South African flavours are suitably sophisticated, as is its clientele. And the sexy long bar that fills the space between the three dining rooms gives Schrager a run for his moolah.
30 Kloof Street
If you're visiting Hout Bay, treat yourself to melt-in-your-mouth seafood at this restaurant. Either grab some calamari and chips to go from the fast-food-style outlet downstairs, or ring ahead to book a table on the balcony upstairs and enjoy a best-in-a-lifetime lobster platter.
The Harbour, Hout Bay
Fish and chip lovers will enjoy this restaurant. Chat with the waiter about what the day's specials are and they'll prepare it especially for you.
41 The Drive, Camps Bay Corner
Bang on the modern menu money, these guys'll treat you to Asian tapas. Open Monday to Friday for lunch and on Saturdays only for supper; closed on Sundays. The chic interior features a fab open kitchen; two kitchens are devoted to Chinese cooking and another two are Japanese.
33 Church Street (entrance on Burg Street)
You'll find this restaurant in Constantia's finest vineyard. It was made famous by chef Frank Dangereux, and its innovative French-inspired cuisine continues to have diners reaching for superlatives. A meal in the garden, on a summer evening, is a wonderfully romantic experience.
Constantia Uitseg, Constantia
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