Sarah Kingdom visits the Cape Cadogan Boutique Hotel in Cape Town and discovers a heritage hideaway with a standout restaurant.
In a city famous for its impressive landscapes and world-class dining, the Cape Cadogan Boutique Hotel offers the wonderful combination of a historic townhouse hotel, with one of Cape Town’s most exciting contemporary restaurants.
Tucked just off the ultra-cool and bustling Kloof Street, the Cape Cadogan somehow manages to simultaneously pull off feeling both central and secluded. With a heritage building dating back to the early 19th century, its elegant interiors, fabulously friendly staff, and thoughtful touches, the Cape Cadogan has found a great balance between boutique luxury and relaxed hospitality.
The Location: The Perfect Base in Cape Town
One of the Cape Cadogan Boutique Hotel’s greatest assets is its location – Cape Town’s Gardens district, just off lively Kloof Street. This neighbourhood has long been one of Cape Town’s most trendy urban pockets; lined with art galleries, cafés, vintage shops, and restaurants. Staying in here gives you the feeling of living like a local, rather than simply passing through as a visitor. From the hotel you can walk to coffee shops, cocktail bars, and independent boutiques, while the must-see attractions, like Table Mountain, the V&A Waterfront, and the beaches of the Atlantic Seaboard are just a short drive away.
Despite its central position, the Cape Cadogan Boutique Hotel still somehow manages to feel remarkably tranquil. Set slightly back from the main street, behind its own courtyard and garden spaces, the hotel is a peaceful retreat from the bustle of the city. After a day spent exploring, sightseeing, or shopping in and around Cape Town, coming home to the Cape Cadogan is a lot like stepping into a private oasis.
A Heritage Building with Character
The Cape Cadogan occupies a heritage property that’s been recognised as a national monument. While the exterior preserves its historic charm, the interiors have been thoughtfully reimagined, with the introduction of some bold contemporary design.
The hotel’s classic Victorian proportions, whitewashed exterior, classical portico, tall sash windows and dark shutters reflect the architectural style that defined many of Cape Town’s early urban residences. The interiors though, are where the Cape Cadogan’s personality really comes to life. Pressed metal ceilings, original fireplaces, and traditional mouldings remain intact, but rather than lean too heavily into period nostalgia, they are paired with bold wallpaper, jewel-toned fabrics, and modern furnishings.
Deep emerald greens, crisp black and white patterns, and flashes of gold create feel dramatic yet, at the same time, elegant. Patterned wallpapers and dramatic fabrics add visual interest, while local craftsmanship adds personality, with pieces of bespoke furniture and decoration that celebrate South African design.
The layout accommodates a collection of 29 rooms and suites, plus a private residence. All are arranged around communal spaces, gardens, and courtyards, with a clever mix of heritage and modern that’s often lacking in newer hotels.
The library lounge is particularly inviting, with its comfortable seating, arranged around a fireplace, with shelves of books to encourage guests to slow down for a while. This is the kind of space where it’s tempting to settle in with a glass of wine in the evening, or a book in the afternoon. Alternatively, surrounded by greenery and sheltered from the street, the courtyards and pool areas feel like hidden oases in the middle of the city, and are quiet spots for a morning coffee, or lazy afternoons.
The guestrooms each have their own personality, with a clever mix of antique pieces and contemporary furnishings. Some suites include fireplaces or separate lounge areas, giving that real feeling of a home, rather than a conventional hotel. Large bathrooms with freestanding tubs and spacious showers means that the historic setting doesn’t have to come at the expense of modern luxuries.
Afternoon Tea and Evening Canapés: Inclusive Hospitality
One of the pleasures of staying at Cape Cadogan Boutique Hotel is the sense of genuine generosity. In the afternoons guests are invited to tea in the library. It’s a relaxed ritual that encourages you to relax, with a slice of cake and a pot of tea.
Later in the evening, the hotel hosts a social hour where complimentary canapés are served alongside port, sherry, and drinks from the bar. The atmosphere feels more like a gathering in a private home than a formal hotel event, with guests drifting into the lounge, chatting and relaxing before heading out for dinner, or simply staying in for the evening. It’s these moments that give the hotel its welcoming feel.
Dining at Upper Union
If the Cape Cadogan is a standout boutique hotel, its on-site restaurant, Upper Union, is one of the city’s great dining spots. Located just next door to the hotel, on Upper Union Street, the restaurant has established itself as a culinary hotspot, popular with guests and locals alike.
Chef Amori Burger’s menu reflects the diversity of Cape Town, combining international influences, with seasonal and locally sourced ingredients. There are two set menus to choose between, or you can choose from a range of small plates. Dining here centres on a sharing concept, rather than the traditional starter-and-main format, with dishes designed to arrive at the table in waves so guests can taste a variety of flavours together.
Kubaneh bread served with rich makhani butter and local cheese is a great introduction to the meal to come. While dishes such as sheep’s cheese haydari with olive epityrum and mareek bread blend Mediterranean and Middle Eastern influences with South African ingredients. Moving on, the flavours become deeper and more robust. A beautifully prepared picanha steak, served with asparagus chimichurri and a rich stout demi-glace, shows the kitchen’s skill at balancing indulgence with freshness.
Wine plays a central role in the Upper Union experience, and the restaurant’s cellar highlights the diversity of South Africa’s winemaking regions. The wine list focuses on boutique producers and small-scale vineyards, giving you the opportunity to explore distinctive wines that may not appear on more conventional lists.
The restaurant buzzes with a mix of neighbourhood regulars, hotel guests, and visitors who have come specifically for the food, and the menu changes frequently, reflecting seasonal produce and ensuring that each visit offers something new.
The Cape Cadogan is one of those rare finds – historic architecture, modern design, great location, attentive service and a relaxed atmosphere. Then of course, there’s the restaurant. Taken together, the Cape Cadogan and Upper Union are the perfect package. The hotel offers the intimacy and character that larger hotels often struggle to replicate, while the restaurant adds the excitement of one of Cape Town’s great kitchens.
Tell me more about the Cape Cadogan Boutique Hotel and Upper Union
The Cape Cadogan Boutique Hotel, 5 Upper Union Street, Gardens, Cape Town, 8001, South Africa.
T: +27 (0)21 460 4888 E: res@more.co.za (General enquiries)
Rates: Prices start from £530/$700 for a classic room (for two people) including breakfast.
Upper Union, 3 Upper Union Street, Cape Town, 8001, South Africa.
T: +27 (0)218910360 E: reservations@upperunion.co.za
Rates: Pasture Menu – £38/$50 per person (minimum 2 people sharing), with suggested wine pairing menu an additional £20/$26
Garden Menu – £34/44 per person (minimum 2 people sharing), with suggested wine pairing menu an additional £20/$26 per person. Small plates range from £4/$6.50 – £30/$40
