Hip Apartments in Cape Town You'll Want to Call Home

Set in a small tree-filled garden in the cobbled historic quarter of the Cape Town city centre, Labotessa packs sophistication and comfort behind a 17th-century facade. Richly decorated suites have high ceilings and generous proportions. Some are self-catering – including the glamorous Presidential Suite, with three en-suite bedrooms, entertainment areas over two floors, a full kitchen and private splash pool. Views take in the Great Church, Lion’s Head and Table Mountain. The Café & Terrace, spilling onto Church Square, is famous for its eggs Benedict and all-day breakfasts, and a good place to enjoy local beer and wine as the sun sets.

Rising above Sea Point with views of the ocean, a short drive from the city centre and V&A Waterfront, these 12 apartments are in a prime position for business or play. They’re spread over two buildings – Elements on Main, with luxury and deluxe suites, and Elements on Battery, with luxury and penthouse suites. All have two bedrooms, two bathrooms, open-plan living areas with designer kitchens and balconies to take in the view. Decor is coolly understated in blues, browns, olives and greys. There’s daily housekeeping, concierge support and airport transfers on request.

The Towers are 21km (13mi) from Cape Town airport in Century City, a city within the Cape Town metropolis. They stand directly across the way from Canal Walk, one of the biggest regional shopping centres in Africa, with not just retail spaces, restaurants and movie houses, but an award-winning wetlands conservation area rich in birdlife and indigenous plants. Rooms are comfortably furnished, with open living areas and well-equipped kitchens – though there are restaurants nearby, and the Coffee Lounge at the entrance serves continental breakfasts with freshly baked pastries.

This gently curved building above a pool terrace is a short drive from the V&A Waterfront. It blends comfort with style in studios and up to three-bedroom apartments plus penthouses, in quiet sandy shades or contemporary monochromes lit with flashes of colour. All are fully self-catering, but there are restaurants, coffee shops and a food court on the ground floor.

Ringed by the quiet waters of the canal that gives Canal Walk shopping centre its name, Island Club in Century City is a relaxed aparthotel with kitchen-kitted rooms and contemporary one, two and three-bedroom apartments. It has its own gym, an outside pool and an indoor heated lap pool. A bridge takes you directly to the centre with its myriad shops, eateries, bars and movie houses. The V&A Waterfront is a short drive away, as is Blouberg Beach, with its famous view across the water to Cape Town and Table Mountain.

These luxury apartments are on the banks of the Grand Canal in Century City, a short drive from Cape Town airport, the City Bowl and Blouberg Beach. The 28 suites are comfortably furnished in shades of grey with touches of plum and burgundy, and all are fully self-catering. Babysitting is available, and off-site bowling, along with all the attractions of Canal Walk centre, are within reach.

Named for the Glen Forest they border, these apartments look on to the sea, the Twelve Apostles range and Lion’s Head. They’re sleekly furnished, with cowhide throws on pale tiled floors and huge windows. A zen-style saltwater pool lies alongside a thicket. Arrangements have been made for Glen guests to dine at the restaurants of The Bay Hotel and Von Kampz Restaurant when they don’t feel like eating in, and you also get use of the tennis club behind the Bay Hotel and Camps Bay squash club, too.

Set close to the V&A Waterfront on the city’s vibrant foreshore, this property has 40 comfortable rooms (fresh in white furnishings, with touches of sage and soft blue), and 16 luxury suites with lounges and well-equipped kitchenettes. When you’re not in the mood to cook, the sophisticated Canal Cafe serves simple but stylish dishes above a serene view of the canal.

Part of the Island Club complex, these comfortable and affordable apartments are set among 8km (5mi) of waterways in well-kept gardens, which can be spied from balconies or patios. Open plan with kitchens, they’re in walking distance of a choice of eateries and entertainment venues. You have access to a gym, an outdoor pool and an indoor training pool, too.