Where to Stay in Cape Town on a Budget

Hipster Woodstock, with its Old Biscuit Mill – a cool collection of ceramics shops, coffee roasters and trendy restaurants – is one of Cape Town’s most dynamic quarters and best areas to stay in, just a few minutes’ walk from the coast. Stock Exchange Apartment Hotel puts you in the thick of it and lets you save cash by cooking in kitchenettes – if you have the willpower to resist local culinary delights, that is. Contemporary geometric prints and bold pops of colour in the rooms are reminiscent of the energetic area.

With looks this good, the “gorgeous” tag suits. At this central cheap hotel in Cape Town, steps from the African crafts market at Greenmarket Square, mid-century modern touches – think three-legged tables and velvet sofas – meet industrial-chic vibes with exposed cement ceilings and metallics. The jewel in the design-forward crown? A rooftop indoor-outdoor pool, restaurant and lounge space. Drenched in greenery, Gorgeous George is as perfect for evening sharpeners as it is for morning OJs.

It’s not all about downtown Cape Town. Kalk Bay, to the southeast, channels fishing village vibes with laid-back seafood eateries, galleries and tidal pools – just the thing when you really need a cool-down. And with white-washed walls and warm woods – not to mention ace sea views – the historic Chartfield Guesthouse has a breezy, laid-back feel that suits this seaside spot to a tee. Spend mornings nibbling pancakes on the terrace of this cheap accommodation in Cape Town, included in your rate, with afternoons best spent lazing in the suntrap garden.

If you’re seeking an intimate vibe to cheap accommodation in Cape Town, you’ll find it at Rouge on Rose. With just nine rooms, tucked into the historic and colourful neighbourhood of Bo-Kaap, this friendly boutique stay is run by a local mother and son team – who have insider intel on the best places to eat and shop in Cape Town. Pick their brains in the bold red lobby, then plan out the day from your sand-hued bedroom, furnished with subtle Asian touches.

Set just off buzzy Kloof Street, a hotspot for bars and restaurants, La Grenadine feels a serene world away from the thrills of city life, thanks to a shade-dappled garden and cream-washed spaces, furnished with exposed stone and roll-top clawfoot baths. Just five rooms and a cottage make this cheap Cape Town hotel feel intimate, while vintage touches from its French owners bring a bit of provençale glamour. This place has a conscience, too – there are solar panels on-site and 1% of its turnover goes to NGOs and charities.

Who said a wallet-friendly accommodation on the Western Cape couldn’t do pampering? The spa, with its rungu massages and soothing facials, is a definite highlight of any stay at 2Inn1. Another perk? The garden and pool area provides a place to take the plunge on sweltering South African days whilst offering dramatic views out to Table Mountain and Lion’s Head. The rooms, all cool contemporary lines, aren’t half-bad either – especially given they come with free daily sundowners from 6pm-8pm.

Calling all beach bums: Hotel on the Promenade is a prime pick if you’re planning on spending your Cape Town time lazing on the sands. You’re just a hop from a string of beaches, including Milton, Sunset and Queen’s – posh Clifton is just a short drive away, too. Soak up the rays over a coffee on yellow terrace chairs, then stick around for a lunch of kingklip eel fillet with cream sauce. Handily, the hotel can sort out car hire and airport shuttle if you need it.

Stay at this attractive mansion and you could almost imagine you’re crashing at the home of a wealthy Capetonian cousin – it’s far more intimate and friendly than the average cheap hotel in Cape Town and yet still elegant. A tiny courtyard plunge pool cools you between naps on the stripy loungers; classically luxurious rooms have eco-friendly Africology toiletries and metro tiling in showers. Let them pack you a picnic for the park, or organise a tour of the city’s jazz scene.

Bang on electric Kloof Street, Once in Cape Town is a natural pick for younger travellers or groups of friends on a budget. Choose between private dorms and socially shared setups, then make new friends among the jacaranda trees that frame the onsite restaurant – a favourite for craft beers, DJ sets and pizzas. There are loads of free daily activities on tap, too – from farmers’ market visits to braais in the townships. Just sign up at reception.

Set in a gorgeous refurbished Victorian mansion at the foot of Table Mountain, Ashanti Lodge in Cape Town offers mixed and female-only dorms, single, double and twin rooms each equipped with basins – as bathrooms are shared – lockers and reading lights. In the morning, take a dip in the sparkling outdoor pool, relax in the garden or enjoy delicious cocktails and a meal in the bar area with fabulous mountain views. If you’d prefer to rough it, there’s a stretch of ground to pitch your tent and spend the night under the stars.

Situated on the vibrant Green Point strip and surrounded by trendy restaurants and bars, Never@Home is a funky, modern lodge located within walking distance of the V&A Waterfront – offering a variety of accommodation options, ranging from private twin and double rooms with en-suite or shared bathrooms, and mixed dorms. There’s also a ‘sanctuary dorm’ for females featuring a private outdoor patio, hairdryers and free toiletries. Never@Home ensures great value for money with free WiFi and linen, buzzing public areas, an outdoor pool, shuttle service and communal kitchen. If that’s not all, the on-site restaurant and bar serve fantastic South African fare and cocktails.

Named one of the best hostels in Cape Town and in Africa, the Backpack is an award-winning, fair trade and environmentally-friendly hostel. If you’re looking to make greener choices, be sure to book a room at the Backpack, as they use biodegradable cleaning products, recycle on a monthly basis, and use vegetable scraps to feed their worm farms. The lodge accommodates 100 people in 35 rooms, all of which are individually styled with air conditioning and private or shared bathrooms. Free continental breakfast and unlimited WiFi is included, not to mention the outdoor pool area, pool table, and travel centre to help you plan your Cape Town adventure.

Rated as one of the top 20 party hostels in the world, Carnival Court is located smack dab in the middle of all the action in Long Street, renowned for its vibrant nightlife and bars. If you enjoy city life, this is the place to be. This grand old Victorian lodge boasts three floors of cosy rooms and woodwork restored to its original splendour. From the two large balconies on the first and second floors, you can watch life unfold on the street below as you look out onto the slopes of Signal Hill. From late afternoon, mingle with fellow travellers in the buzzing bar for a drink – or a game of pool.

Conveniently located between hipster Bree Street Cape Town’s party centre on Long Street, 91 Loop Boutique Hostel in Cape Town delivers the best of both worlds. The MyCiti bus stops directly on its doorstep, offering guests cheap transport to all the best beaches and attractions Cape Town has to offer. Choose from a range of comfortable dorms, suites and futuristic pod rooms – all named after capital cities in the southern hemisphere. Bookings include free breakfast, key-card lockers, WiFi, a free welcome drink and weekly socials. And if that’s not all, The Honey Badger bar and café on-site is always ready to serve you a deluxe brewed coffee or cold beer.