A slice of Miami glamor on Cape Town’s Atlantic coast | News
Cape Town is blessed with no shortage of exceptional hotels. From the grandeur of the V&A Waterfront to the boutique hotels tucked beneath Table Mountain, visitors are spoiled for choice. Yet every now and then you come across a property that understands exactly what it is and delivers consistently. The President Hotel is one of those places.
Located along the Atlantic coast in Bantry Bay, the hotel enjoys one of the most enviable locations in the city. While Cape Town’s natural beauty often steals the headlines, the president has managed to create a destination that complements rather than competes with its surroundings. The result is a property that feels effortlessly relaxed yet offers the scale, facilities and service you expect from a leading resort hotel.
The first impression is one of timeless elegance. There is a clear Art Deco influence throughout the property that immediately brought to mind Miami. Not the excess of South Beach, but the refined glamor of a bygone era. The architecture, design elements and generous public spaces create a sense of nostalgia while remaining contemporary enough for today’s traveler.
What sets the President apart from many modern city hotels is the space. In an era when hotel rooms often seem to shrink with each renovation cycle, the suites here feel refreshingly generous. Large living areas, spacious bedrooms and oversized windows ensure guests never feel confined. Whether you are traveling with the family, on a business trip or simply looking for a longer stay in Cape Town, the extra room transforms the experience.
The real star of the show, however, is the view.
From my suite the Atlantic Ocean stretched endlessly towards the horizon. During the day the landscape constantly evolved. The early morning light shimmered across the water, surfers cut through the rolling waves below and by evening the sky turned into the kind of sunset spectacle that has made Cape Town famous around the world. It’s one of those rare views that never becomes a backdrop. You find yourself repeatedly stopping to take it in.
The hotel’s location offers an excellent balance between tranquility and accessibility. Clifton, Camps Bay, the V&A Waterfront and the city center are all within easy reach, yet the atmosphere remains noticeably calmer than many of Cape Town’s busier areas. It feels residential rather than touristy, allowing guests to experience a more authentic side of the city while staying close to the main attractions.
Dining is equally impressive. The hotel’s restaurants and outdoor spaces take full advantage of its oceanfront location, creating an atmosphere that encourages guests to linger. Breakfast overlooking the Atlantic Ocean is a memorable way to start the day, while an evening drink as the sun disappears behind the horizon provides a fitting ending.
Families in particular are well cared for. The President has successfully positioned itself as a resort-style hotel in an urban setting, with facilities that appeal to generations. The expansive pool deck acts as the social heart of the property, while the overall layout provides plenty of space for guests to find quieter corners when they want to escape from the activity.
The service during my stay reflected the warmth for which South African hospitality is rightly known. The staff were professional without being formal, attentive without being intrusive. There is a genuine friendliness that radiates throughout the hotel and adds significantly to its appeal.
What impressed me most was how effortlessly the property balances multiple identities. It functions as a family resort, a romantic escape, a business hotel and an extended-stay retreat all at the same time. Few hotels manage to serve such a diverse audience without compromising their character.
In a city full of spectacular accommodation options, the President Hotel has created its own distinctive niche. It combines the glamor of Miami-inspired Art Deco design with the relaxed rhythm of Cape Town life. Add spacious suites, exceptional service and some of the most beautiful ocean views on the Atlantic coast, and you have a hotel that offers exactly what travelers come to Cape Town to experience.
For those seeking accommodation where the rolling surf provides the soundtrack every day and where space, comfort and location come together seamlessly, the President Hotel remains one of Cape Town’s standout addresses.
For me, the defining memory will always be that view. Watching the Atlantic swell roll endlessly towards the coast from the comfort of a spacious suite is the kind of experience that reminds you why Cape Town remains one of the best destinations in the world. The President Hotel captures that magic beautifully.
By Justin Cooke
