The Victoria & Alfred Hotel: stay at the heart of Cape Town’s historic waterfront

Back in 1990 the Victoria & Alfred Hotel was the first building to open in Cape Town’s Victoria & Alfred Waterfront development. The hotel was an instant success – in fact it was so inundated with visitors it had to close its doors on the afternoon of opening day. Fast forward 30 years and we find ourselves at the heart of South Africa’s most visited destination.

Guests tell us that they enjoy the freedom of being able to step out and explore the shops and scores of restaurants on the doorstep, including our own water-facing restaurant, Ginja. The contemporary décor features lots of light wood, greenery and slate flooring. With half of the restaurant seating being located outside it boasts magnificent views of Table Mountain and offers guest plenty of atmosphere. Our platter of prawns is always a big hit and in the winter we do a mean Florentine T-bone steak. Ginja’s buffet breakfast, which includes sea-to-plate oysters, salmon and (sometimes) complimentary bubbly, is legendary.

Our guests enjoy uninterrupted views of Table Mountain and the Alfred basin out front. Whether it’s seals bobbing or fishing boats coming in, there’s always something going on.

Here at the Victoria & Alfred we pride ourselves on our personalities. Two of our front of house staff, Nasier Davids and Solly Solomons, have been here since the hotel opened and were part of our recent 30th anniversary celebrations. 

We take hospitality very seriously but what we really want to do is let people relax. We pride ourselves on getting guests checked in early, for example, especially when they’ve landed early after a night flight. By mid-day they’re drinking sundowners on the terrace and on local time.