A Slice of Miami Glamour on Cape Town’s Atlantic Seaboard | News
Cape Town is blessed with no shortage of exceptional hotels. From the grandeur of the V&A Waterfront to the boutique properties tucked beneath Table Mountain, visitors are spoilt for choice. Yet every so often you come across a property that understands exactly what it is and delivers it consistently. The President Hotel is one of those places.
Perched along the Atlantic Seaboard in Bantry Bay, the hotel enjoys one of the most enviable positions 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 while still offering the scale, facilities and service expected of a leading resort hotel.
The first impression is one of timeless elegance. There is a distinct Art Deco influence throughout the property that immediately brought Miami to mind. Not the excess of South Beach, but the sophisticated glamour of a bygone era. The architecture, design cues and generous public spaces create a sense of nostalgia while remaining contemporary enough for today’s traveller.
What distinguishes the President from many modern urban hotels is space. In an era where hotel rooms often seem to shrink with every renovation cycle, the suites here feel refreshingly generous. Large living areas, expansive bedrooms and oversized windows ensure guests never feel confined. Whether travelling as a family, on business or simply seeking a longer stay in Cape Town, the additional room transforms the experience.
The real star of the show, however, is the view.
From my suite, the Atlantic stretched endlessly towards the horizon. Throughout the day the scenery constantly evolved. Early morning light shimmered across the water, surfers carved through rolling waves below and by evening the sky transformed into the kind of sunset spectacle that has made Cape Town famous around the world. It is one of those rare views that never becomes background scenery. You find yourself stopping repeatedly to take it in.
The hotel’s location strikes an excellent balance between tranquillity and accessibility. Clifton, Camps Bay, the V&A Waterfront and the city centre are all within easy reach, yet the atmosphere remains noticeably calmer than many of Cape Town’s busier districts. It feels residential rather than touristic, allowing guests to experience a more authentic side of the city while remaining close to its major attractions.
Dining is equally impressive. The hotel’s restaurants and outdoor spaces make the most of the oceanfront setting, creating an atmosphere that encourages guests to linger. Breakfast overlooking the Atlantic is a memorable way to begin the day, while evening drinks as the sun disappears beyond the horizon provide a fitting conclusion.
Families are particularly well catered for. The President has successfully positioned itself as a resort-style hotel within an urban environment, offering facilities that appeal across generations. The expansive pool deck acts as the social heart of the property, while the overall layout provides enough space for guests to find quieter corners when they want to escape the activity.
Service throughout my stay reflected the warmth for which South African hospitality is rightly renowned. Staff were professional without being formal, attentive without being intrusive. There is a genuine friendliness that runs throughout the hotel and contributes significantly to its appeal.
What impressed me most was how effortlessly the property balances multiple identities. It works as a family resort, a romantic escape, a business hotel and a long-stay residence all at the same time. Few hotels manage to serve such diverse audiences without compromising their character.
In a city filled with spectacular accommodation options, the President Hotel has carved out its own distinctive niche. It combines the glamour of Miami-inspired Art Deco design with the laid-back rhythm of Cape Town living. Add spacious suites, exceptional service and some of the finest ocean views on the Atlantic Seaboard, and you have a hotel that delivers exactly what travellers come to Cape Town to experience.
For those seeking a property where the rolling surf provides the soundtrack to 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 shore from the comfort of a spacious suite is the sort of experience that reminds you why Cape Town continues to rank among the world’s great destinations. The President Hotel captures that magic beautifully.
By Justin Cooke
