La Splendida

Description:

• If you want to be close to the Waterfront and the ocean, this is a great option. Within walking distance of the Waterfront (20 min., or catch the bus that runs past regularly), as well as one of my favorite lunchtime venues (Café Neo) and sundowner restaurants (Wakame), this small hotel is separated from the sea only by Beach Road and offers the best value-for-the-money views in town. The Art Deco exterior wouldn't look out of place in Miami, and the interiors are very comfortable. You have your choice of mountain- and sea-view rooms -- a sea-view room is worth the extra R100 ($14/£7); note also that the penthouse can sleep four. Pack your in-line skates, as the seafront promenade stretches all the way past Sea Point. Meals are served at the ground-floor restaurant, which opens onto a terrace. A potential drawback in winter (June-Aug) is the noise from the foghorn -- this is, after all, the closest that boats leaving the harbor come to shore before turning out to sea.

• © Frommer's 2012

Awards:

Frommer's

•  Recommended 2010