Deep Dive into One&Only Cape Town: Where Luxury Meets Vibrancy

From the moment you arrive, One&Only Cape Town offers a rare blend of elegance and energy. As you gaze upon Table Mountain, taste world-class cuisine, and explore Cape Town’s vibrant culture, you feel you’ve stepped into a place where luxury meets authenticity. One&Only Cape Town embodies that rare mix of refinement and vibrancy you may only find in few destinations.



In this article you’ll discover what makes One&Only Cape Town so special, what options exist for stays, how you can experience the local flavours, and how Awake & Wander, a protected trust services member with ATOL licence, ensures your holiday is secure and unforgettable.

What is One&Only Cape Town?

One&Only Cape Town is a luxury resort located on the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront in Cape Town, South Africa. It overlooks one of the world’s most iconic natural landmarks, Table Mountain. The resort is designed to feel more like a high-end resort than just a city hotel.

You find it split between a striking seven-storey building known as Marina Rise, and two lush islands set within the marina waterways.  Rooms and suites are generous, many with terraces or balconies, offering panoramic views of the mountain or waterfront.

Its appeal comes from combining calm luxurious comfort with Cape Town’s buzzing energy. Within its walls you get upscale dining, exceptional spa treatments, family-friendly amenities, and easy access to the city’s arts, culture and natural beauty.

Architecture, Design & Ambience

One&Only Cape Town has been refurbished to reflect the landscape, heritage and ocean around it. The design team worked to bring natural elements indoors, using local art, muted earthy tones, textured fabrics and materials that honour South Africa’s crafts

The lobby, for instance, frames Table Mountain as a focal point. Vista Bar & Lounge has floor-to-ceiling windows so the mountain becomes part of every moment you relax there.

On the islands you’ll find tranquil gardens, water features, a spa oasis, and infinity pools that seem to float above the waterways. Movement and stillness are balanced. You can be energised by Cape Town, and then escape into peace without leaving the resort.

Accommodation & Suites

Rooms



Rooms at One&Only Cape Town are spacious. Many are in Marina Rise, others are on the islands. Each room has high ceilings, elegant furnishings, large windows or balconies, and indoor-outdoor flow when possible. Bathrooms often include freestanding tubs, rain showers, luxury amenities.

You may choose views:

• Table Mountain
• The marina and city waterways
• Private gardens or pools (for island suites)

Suites & Signature Rooms

Signature suites include multi-bedroom options, spectacular decked views, large living areas, and private terraces. The upper-tier suites (such as the Table Mountain Suite, Presidential Suite) are designed for those who want expansive luxury. If you want privacy, space, bespoke service, these deliver in spades.

Dining & Culinary Experiences

One&Only Cape Town treats food as part of the story of place. Each restaurant offers something unique.

• Nobu: Japanese-Peruvian fusion; famous dishes like miso black cod and ultra-fresh seafood.
• ROOI: A restaurant inspired by fire, land and sea. Local flavours, traditions, and South African ingredients feature.
• Vista Bar & Lounge: Lounge meals, cocktails, vintage wines, light bites; with views over the mountain or waterfront.
• Wine Loft: A three-story wine collection with thousands of bottles; wine-pairing dinners are possible.

Each restaurant has its own atmosphere. Some are formal, others more relaxed. There’s variety: casual poolside fare; fine-dining; in-room/private dining. You can sample local wines or treat yourself to something global.

Wellness, Spa & Leisure

If you travel to restore as much as explore, One&Only Cape Town delivers.

Spa & Relaxation

There’s a dedicated spa island with multiple treatment rooms, vitality pools, garden settings, and areas built for sheer calm. Treatments use high-quality brands as well as local ingredients such as sweet orange, baobab, fynbos.

You can have massages, body scrubs, facials, signature rituals. After treatments, you might rest by the infinity pool surrounded by palms, or in quiet gardens overlooking water.

Fitness & Activities



For active travellers there’s a gym, yoga studio, classes. Water-based activities on-site include paddleboarding, kayaking through nearby waterways. Excursions into nature: guided hikes up Table Mountain, sunrise walks, tours.

For families, there are structured programmes for children and teens: clubs, games, sports, crafts. You have flexibility: adventure or rest.

Location & Local Culture

One&Only Cape Town is placed on the V&A Waterfront, arguably the most dynamic address in Cape Town. You are steps from shops, galleries, bars, restaurants, a marina, museums.

You can hop on a ferry to Robben Island, explore the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa, visit the Two Oceans Aquarium. At sunset, watching Table Mountain glow is something unforgettable. For more detailed visitor guides, maps, upcoming events, and travel-updates for Cape Town, check out Cape Town Tourism’s official site

Cape Town offers rich culture: local crafts, music, street food, wine country just outside the city, stunning coastal drives, wildlife. All of this you can access easily from the resort.

Why One&Only Cape Town Feels Like More Than Just a Hotel

You don’t just stay here — you experience. Because:



• Design, art, nature all interweave.
• Dining is part of telling stories (of the sea, the land, the local).
• Every moment can be curated: sunrise hike, spa ritual, dinner under the stars.

One&Only Cape Town is a place that rewards curiosity. If you’re drawn to both luxury and local authenticity, it pulls you forward.

Offers & Staying Smart



When you book One&Only Cape Town through Awake & Wander, you often gain access to special offers. We work with suppliers and tour operators, so there may be discounts on room rates, upgrades, or extras such as spa credit or breakfast inclusions.

If you enquire, we can check what’s current, whether there’s a seasonal promotion, or value-add. Even when no specific offer is listed, we can tailor something to suit your dates, group size or preferences.

Protections when Booking through Awake & Wander Luxury Travel

When you book One&Only Cape Town via Awake & Wander (our independent luxury travel agency), you get:

Member of Protected Trust Services

• ATOL Licence so flights and holiday packages are financially protected
• Supplier Failure Insurance included in every tailor-made holiday
• Scheduled Airline Failure Insurance included in all tailor-made holidays
• Support from real people: planning your holiday, assisting pre-departure, on-ground emergency help

These protections mean you can travel with confidence. If anything goes wrong with a supplier, or an airline, or during a trip, you are covered. Our duty is to make sure your luxury experience is secure as well as superb.

Sample Itinerary: One&Only Cape Town & Beyond

Here’s a suggested 5-night stay to show how you might fill relaxing days, adventure, dining and culture.

Here’s a suggested five-night stay to give you a sense of how your days could unfold, balancing relaxation, adventure, dining and culture.

On your first day, you arrive, settle into your room, and ease into Cape Town life with a sunset drink at Vista Bar & Lounge, where Table Mountain frames the skyline.

On day two, start with breakfast at ROOI before either hiking or taking the cable car up Table Mountain. Return for lunch in the city bowl and finish your day with dinner at Nobu, a dining experience that blends Japanese precision with South African seafood.

Your third day is all about indulgence. Treat yourself to a full spa day on the private island, alternate between the infinity pool and tranquil gardens, and then enjoy a curated wine evening in the Wine Loft.

On day four, take a morning excursion to Robben Island, followed by an afternoon exploring the shops and galleries of the V&A Waterfront. As the evening unfolds, head out for a guided food tour through the city, sampling local flavours with expert hosts.

Finally, on day five, embrace a slower pace. Enjoy a calm morning, perhaps with a short yacht cruise from the marina, and round off your trip with a farewell dinner before preparing to depart the following day.

This type of itinerary can be tailored to your own interests, with options to extend into the Winelands or combine with a safari for an even deeper South African journey. Awake & Wander can shape it exactly the way you’d like.

You could also build in extension to the Winelands - Stellenbosch, Franschhoek - or include safari in nearby reserves. Awake & Wander can design the rest for you.

Best Time to Visit & Travel Tips

• Cape Town’s high season runs from November to March. Days are warm, beaches inviting, but expect more crowds.
• Shoulder seasons (September-October, April-May) offer milder weather, fewer tourists, often better value.
• Winter (June-August) sees more rain; mountain hikes may be misty but scenery is dramatic.
• Bring layers: evenings cool, mornings crisp.

Travel-tips:

• Book ahead for dinners at Nobu and wine-pairing events.
• Ask for a room facing Table Mountain if possible.
• If you fear jet lag, consider arrival day light activity only.
  

Comparing One&Only Cape Town to Other Luxury Stays in Cape Town

One&Only stands out for:

• Scale + breadth of facilities (spa, multiple restaurants, kids’ programmes)
  
• Location on V&A Waterfront with views, access, water and mountain all around
  
• Blend of design, local culture, high service standards

Other hotels may offer boutique charm, or more remote settings, or cheaper rates. But few match the full resort style within the city, with so much on your doorstep.

Who Will Love One&Only Cape Town?

It will appeal to travellers who want:

• Luxury without isolation
• Variety in food, wellness, experiences
• Great design, local craftsmanship, art, nature
• Family-friendly options without compromising elegance
• A base that allows both rest and exploration
  
  

If you prefer quiet remote resorts, you might choose something different. But if you want both vibrancy and luxury, this is a rare win.

Our Take:

"Staying at One&Only Cape Town isn’t just about staying in luxury. It’s about waking up with mountain views, savouring food that tastes like place, exploring streets alive with art, and knowing you’re well looked after, every step of the way."

Ready to Experience One&Only Cape Town Your Way?

A stay at One&Only Cape Town is more than a holiday. It’s a chance to wake up to the majesty of Table Mountain, indulge in food that celebrates culture and craft, and immerse yourself in the rhythm of a city alive with energy. Every moment, from spa treatments on a private island to sunset cocktails on the waterfront, is designed to stay with you long after you return home.

At Awake & Wander Luxury Travel, we believe the planning of your trip should feel just as effortless as the stay itself. As an independent UK travel agency, we hold an ATOL licence and are members of Protected Trust Services, which means your holiday is fully safeguarded. Every tailor-made booking includes Supplier Failure Insurance and Scheduled Airline Failure Insurance, giving you complete peace of mind.

Our team works closely with you to shape an itinerary that feels uniquely yours. Perhaps you’d like to add a wine country escape in Franschhoek, or link your Cape Town stay with a safari adventure. Maybe you simply want us to handle everything so you can arrive with nothing on your mind but anticipation. Either way, we’re here to make it seamless.

You can call us today on 01495 400011, or complete our online enquiry form to start planning. Prefer to explore on your own? You can now create and book your own bespoke holiday directly on our website. Whether you design it yourself or let us take care of the details, Awake & Wander is only ever a message or phone call away.

Your One&Only Cape Town journey begins the moment you reach out. Let’s make it unforgettable.

Frequently Asked Questions