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The honest take
Book One&Only Cape Town if you want the bigger resort experience: infinity pool, spa, kids' club and Table Mountain views, backed by a strong 9.4 rating across 674 reviews. Cape Grace, at $1,209 against One&Only's $1,342, sits on its own private quay in the same Waterfront precinct and trades scale for intimacy and individually decorated rooms. Both are five-star and 0.4km apart, so the choice is really about atmosphere rather than location. One&Only pulls ahead if you're travelling with family or want pet-friendly and golf options; Cape Grace wins if you want a smaller, design-led hotel with direct water frontage.
The look and the feel
One&Only Cape Town
One&Only Cape Town is a large, glass-and-stone resort built in the 2000s on reclaimed land at the Waterfront, its rooms arranged around a still, dark reflecting pool that leads the eye straight to Table Mountain. The interiors lean minimal and contemporary rather than colonial: pale stone floors, wide glass, marble bathrooms with separate rain showers and baths. Public spaces are generous and a little corporate-luxe, built for wedding parties and honeymooners as much as for the view. It draws an international five-star crowd who want polish, an infinity pool, a spa with sauna, and a kids' club running in the background.
Families and travellers who want resort infrastructure, sweeping mountain views and consistent five-star polish.
Cape Grace
Cape Grace occupies its own promontory on West Quay, jutting into the marina so that boats sit right outside the windows, which gives it a more maritime, intimate feel than its neighbour. Rooms are individually decorated rather than uniform, with a softer, more traditional South African character running through fabrics and furniture, plus the small details, iPod docks, Smart TVs, that mark an older hotel updated in stages rather than built new. The Bascule whisky bar and Heirloom Restaurant give it a clubbable, low-lit warmth in the evenings, and with only 115 reviews it reads as smaller and less crowded than the resort next door.
Couples and design-minded travellers who want a smaller, characterful hotel with water on three sides and a proper bar scene.
Cape Grace, the cheaper of the two, has no listed golf or pet-friendly facilities, so anyone travelling with an animal or wanting a round nearby needs One&Only.
Cape Grace is the more beautiful place to actually sit in, its quayside setting and individually furnished rooms giving it a lived-in warmth that One&Only's bigger, glossier build doesn't try for.
The numbers
One&Only Cape Town
Cape Grace
Price, same night
$1,501
$1,243
Guest rating
9.4/10
—
Reviews
674
115
Stars
★★★★★
★★★★★
Facilities on our list
8
8
Distance apart
408 m
What one has that the other doesn't
Only One&Only Cape Town has
Pet
Golf
Only Cape Grace has
Beach
Waterfront
What guests actually say
One&Only Cape Town
phenomenal attentive staff
view of Table Mountain
spacious rooms at good location
thin soundproofing between rooms
prices considered too high
slow hot water
“The only downside was the soundproofing in the room. We could hear quite a bit of noise from outside, which affected my sleep a little.”
Cape Grace
warm attentive staff by name
excellent central Waterfront location
spacious, well-appointed rooms
service dip on one stay
pool water not warm enough
“There honestly aren’t words to describe how perfect this place is- you feel at home the second you arrive.”
Cape Grace guests come away happier, as reviews consistently praise personal, attentive staff by name with almost no recurring complaints, while One&Only guests note noise and price gripes alongside their praise.
Rooms & rates, 2026-10-10
One&Only Cape Town
Marina Harbor View King RoomBreakfast Included · free cancellation$1,501
Marina Harbor View Double Queen RoomBreakfast Included · free cancellation$1,501
Premier Marina Mountain View King RoomBreakfast Included$1,503
“An exceptional stay with phenomenal staff and wonderful facilities”
We had an amazing stay at One&Only Cape Town. The facilities were excellent, but what really stood out was the staff. Everyone was phenomenal, incredibly attentive, caring, and welcoming throughout our stay. The view of Table Mountain was exquisite, and the location is very safe and secure.
The property itself has so much to offer, and I would actually recommend staying here when you have enough time to enjoy the ho
The only downside was the soundproofing in the room. We could hear quite a bit of noise from outside, which affected my sleep a little. Other than that, everything about our stay was wonderful.
10/10
Everything
9/10
“Beautiful property with wonderful facilities and friendly, attentive staff”
Beautiful property very well located in V&A Waterfront
Two minor issues - no tissues beside the bed or anywhere in the bedroom and the length of time for hot water. In a water scarce location, having to run the tap or shower for quite some time before the water is hot is not good
What a lovely hotel. Gracious, attentive, and helpful service. Excellent restaurant and lounge/library area. Very spaciuos rooms--clean and well-appointed. We stayed here for several nights and appreciated the setting, location, and service.
10/10
“The perfect Cape Town stay... PARADISE!”
There honestly aren’t words to describe how perfect this place is- you feel at home the second you arrive. The team are so warm and friendly, and always around if you need anything.
The location is amazing - super central, really convenient, and feels very safe. It’s perfect for being with family or friends (and literally about a two-minute walk from Time Out Market). The breakfast buffet is unreal, and the kimchi gr
10/10
“Cape Town Gem !!”
I recently had the pleasure of staying at the Cape Grace, and it truly exceeded expectations—what is not to love?
From the moment we arrived, the service was exceptional. The staff were warm, attentive, and genuinely welcoming, with Liz, Bronwyn, and Sheba standing out in particular for making us feel completely at home. Their personal touches made all the difference and elevated the entire experience.
The rooms ar
Luxurious Accommodation with Spectacular Views Situated on the V&A Waterfront, One&Only Cape Town offers elegant rooms with private balconies and stunning views of Table Mountain. Each room features a marble bathroom with a rain shower and separate bath, ensuring a luxurious stay. Relaxation and Recreation Guests can unwind at the spa with a sauna and…
Check-in — · Check-out 11:00 AM
Cape Grace
Luxurious Spa and Recreational Amenities Indulge in massages, body treatments, and facials at the full-service spa. Enjoy the outdoor pool, steam room, and 24-hour fitness center for relaxation and leisure. Fine Dining and Refreshing Drinks Savor poolside views at the Heirloom Restaurant or opt for 24-hour room service. Unwind with a drink at the poolside…
Check-in — · Check-out 12:00 PM
Facilities, in full
One&Only Cape Town
Fitness facilities
WiFi available
Free WiFi
Parking
Free Parking
Non-smoking rooms
Air conditioning
Fitness center
Swimming pool
24-hour front desk
Restaurant
Room service
Business center
Heating
Terrace
Family rooms
Cape Grace
Elevator
Fitness facilities
Supervised childcare/activities
ATM/banking
Gift shops or newsstand
Shopping on site
Golfing nearby
Surfing/bodyboarding nearby
Hiking/biking trails nearby
Kayaking nearby
Sailing nearby
Scooter/moped rentals nearby
Library
Free breakfast
Safe-deposit box at front desk
Multilingual staff
Where they are
Dock Road, Victoria & Alfred WaterfrontWest Quay Road, Victoria And Alfred Waterfront, Cape Town, Western Cape, 8001
Rates are live for 2026-10-10, one night, two guests, fetched together so the two are comparable. Facilities and reviews are from each hotel's own listing. The honest take is written by our AI from the listing, the reviews and what is widely known about each hotel. HotelDupe earns a commission if you book, which never changes the verdict. All comparisons
