Southern Sun Waterfront

Cape Town, South Africa

Virgin rating

Standard 2 Bed
Swimming pool view at the Southern Sun Waterfront
Suite
Yizani
Waterfront Bar
Waterfront Bar
Standard 2 Bed
Swimming pool view at the Southern Sun Waterfront
Suite
Yizani
Waterfront Bar
Waterfront Bar

The hotel

Situated on the doorstop of the V&A Waterfront, Cape Town's premier leisure complex, the Southern Sun Waterfront hotel is ideal for exploring the city, offering great value in an amazing location. The hotel boasts a contemporary design with impressive and modern rooms in addition to the great dining options available. An elegant swimming pool provides some well deserved relaxation after a hard day's sightseeing. 

Amenities

  • Babysitting service
  • Wheelchair access
  • Bar
  • Restaurant
  • Safety Deposit Box
  • Close to City Centre

Where is it

Just outside the entrance to the V&A Waterfront. Transfer time from airport: 25 minutes.

Hotel information

537 rooms on 14 floors in 1 building with 5 lifts. All with air-conditioning, complimentary WiFi, satellite TV, telephone, in-room safe, tea/coffee maker and hairdryer. Standard Rooms with 1 king-size bed or 2 queen-size beds, sleeping maximum 3 adults or 2 adults and 2 children.

Executive Rooms are larger in size, with 1 king-size bed, sleeping maximum 2 adults. 

Family Rooms have 2 double beds, sleeping maximum 4 adults. 

Suites have a seating area, with 1 king-size bed, sleeping maximum 2 adults. 

Yizani (contemporary South African fusion restaurant). Waterfront Bar (cocktail bar serving light meals). 

Outdoor swimming pool. Fitness centre. Utopia beauty salon and spa*.

Complimentary WiFi. Babysitting service*. Concierge. 24-hour room service. Self-parking*.

Wheelchair-accessible rooms with twin beds and roll-in shower.Wheelchair accessible rooms available on request. Please note that these rooms are subject to availability and may be restricted to specific room categories and bedding arrangements. Rooms and facilities vary between hotels so please check at the time of booking. For more information and contact details please check out our Special Assistance page

*Denotes local charge. 

Rating summary

  • Location Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Sleep Quality Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Rooms Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Service Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Value Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Cleanliness Image of the Tripadvisor rating

Traveller rating

  • Excellent (1292)
  • Very good (1105)
  • Average (306)
  • Poor (98)
  • Terrible (64)
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Southern Sun (not near the) Waterfront Hotel's check-in policy needs amending

Nov 18, 2024 Miche07 Hoxne, United Kingdom

On 21st October, after a 12-hour flight, when we arrived at the Southern Sun Waterfront Hotel at about 12:30 having landed at about 11:00, we were told our room was not ready and check-in wasn't until 14:00 (or perhaps even 14:30, I can't remember). I remonstrated with the lady at the check-in desk and eventually, after some arguing, we were… Read more
On 21st October, after a 12-hour flight, when we arrived at the Southern Sun Waterfront Hotel at about 12:30 having landed at about 11:00, we were told our room was not ready and check-in wasn't until 14:00 (or perhaps even 14:30, I can't remember). I remonstrated with the lady at the check-in desk and eventually, after some arguing, we were allowed up to our room. Clearly, after a 12-hour flight and travelling with children, it was quite a blow to be told one would have to wait around for 1 1/2 or 2 hours before being able to freshen up, especially as our first sightseeing tour that I'd booked was due to pick us up at 14:30. If I had just accepted the surly check-in clerk's position it would have been an awful start to our holiday. The itinerary given to us by our travel agent had no check-in time on it. Surely travellers arriving on a long-haul flight should be able to check-in on arrival? Aside from this, it was also disappointing to find that the Southern Sun Waterfront Hotel was nowhere near the V&A Waterfront! It was necessary to catch a hotel shuttle bus both there and back each evening. That bus was always full and the hotel had to lay on additional transport most evenings. Finally, the breakfast in this hotel was very pedestrian and run-of-the-mill. I've had better in a Travelodge! Given Cape Town's reputation as a city with excellent culinary offerings, breakfast here was a letdown. On a positive note, their restaurant and bar served quite decent food. If I return to Cape Town I will be sure to avoid staying at this hotel again. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Ease and Access of Location is the highlight

Oct 28, 2024 AvicaM South Africa

Pros: The location is the highlight. Easy access to all points of interest. The shuttle service and their drivers are fanstatic - wonderful value add from the hotel. Pockets of diligent staff . Grateful to Mark at the front desk for being hands-on and thoughtfully going the extra mile with sincere kindness , with an ear to understand customer's… Read more
Pros: The location is the highlight. Easy access to all points of interest. The shuttle service and their drivers are fanstatic - wonderful value add from the hotel. Pockets of diligent staff . Grateful to Mark at the front desk for being hands-on and thoughtfully going the extra mile with sincere kindness , with an ear to understand customer's needs|requests. Breakfast supervisor Pamela , thank you so much for your didligence in understanding and catering to our dietary (religious) requirements - it is most appreciated. The room was well maintained and excellently cleaned throughout the 7 days we were there. Wole | Siya | Sis Pamela | Mary-Ann | Noma | Bayanda | Noxolo - these different team members helped to make the stay pleasant through their kindness and attentiveness. Cons: I am not sure if the hotel is on massive internship program as a lot of the team members function from a transactional | text book approach. The line of sight on any questions is limited with a functional and non-deliberate response. Any questions 8/10 times had to be escalated to a supervisor|manager (keeping guests waiting), (as it seems staff are not empowered adequately to be hands on in deliverables). It seems majority of the team are inflexible and function on a transactional operational level and mindset with the massive missing link of customer centricity. So where are the brand ambassadors , generally this is emulated through employees. It seems like no-one can make a decision .Most responses are constrictive and lack of willingness to assist. Front desk team need to ask the right questions, guide the end to end business process and requirements as needed for the duration of the stay - no-one needs to be like a 'cashier'- need to move beyond tunnel vision. Room service : please DO NOT ever order the Cape Malay chicken curry ( it is the most tasteless , bland food ) AND the hot chips which was oily and refried /reheated My question is , is the food not tasted for quality checks and standards-where is the supervision on outputs of what has been produced? Weekend concierge desk need to be more hands on and informed of the City they are working in . Please review your chairs at the breakfast/dinner tables - they need to be re-puffed as they literally sink in - they have seen better days. Can the coffee machine be repaired the one closest to the buffet counter? A menu review for breakfast will be great. Why are the danish pastries always so cold , stodgy and heavy doughy - seems like it was not prepared on a fresh daily basis. It would be great if the kitchen could be provided with a blender as we requested for the fresh fruit to be liquidised and was informed there was no blender ( bit concerning for a 4 star + property). Overall the stay is made a bit better by the location. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating The best massage ever!

Oct 16, 2024 SanjivBeri Columbus, Ohio

The best massage and facial treatment experience at the UTOPIA Salon. In all of my travels, this by far has been the best massage I have ever had. Victoria is an excellent therapist and I highly recommend her - she is super amazing! I took the 90 minutes massage followed by an hour facial treatment. Felt so rejuvenated.
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Great hotel in a central location

Sep 25, 2024 Goldi157 London, United Kingdom

Lovely hotel in Cape Town with great staff and the service was good. The room was a good size and well-maintained. There was an extensive option of food at breakfast and staff attentive. I am vegan and had a choice of food to eat. The location of the hotel is ideal and there is a shuttle to the waterfront which is great to check out. There is a… Read more
Lovely hotel in Cape Town with great staff and the service was good. The room was a good size and well-maintained. There was an extensive option of food at breakfast and staff attentive. I am vegan and had a choice of food to eat. The location of the hotel is ideal and there is a shuttle to the waterfront which is great to check out. There is a mall and lots to do around the area. Definitely recommend a trip to Robben Island and Table Mountain as they were highlights of my trip to South Africa. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Great stay!

Sep 20, 2024 activeoneCa CA

This was a great hotel, 4 star. Service was wonderful, breakfast is fantastic with lots of choices. Beds were comfortable, room is clean. Perfect location. There are no plugs or night light possible in the bathrooms, which would be helpful. We would definitely stay here again.