City Bowl (City Centre)

Holiday Inn Express Cape Town City Centre

★★★★★

The Holiday Inn Express in the city centre is the sensible budget choice for travellers who want a clean, predictable hotel room in a central location without paying Waterfront or Atlantic seaboard prices. It is a modern block of fourteen floors with 171 rooms, two of them accessible, in the heart of the Cape Town CBD. The formula is the brand's familiar one: comfortable, compact rooms with good beds, efficient service, free Wi-Fi and a free breakfast, which makes a real difference to the daily budget. The hotel's best feature is on the top floor, where a fitness centre with treadmills, bicycles, orbital trainers and free weights opens onto an outdoor deck with views of Table Mountain. Check-in is from 14:00, check-out at 11:00, late check-out is available, and the minimum check-in age is eighteen. The location is the main reason to stay. The city centre's sights are within walking distance, including the Company's Garden, the Iziko museums, the Castle of Good Hope, the District Six Museum, Bo-Kaap and Greenmarket Square, and the Cape Town International Convention Centre is close, which makes the hotel popular with business travellers. Long Street and Bree Street, with their restaurants and bars, are nearby. The V&A Waterfront is a short drive or MyCiTi bus ride away. Parking is the main limitation: there are only a dozen covered spaces on site, first come, first served, at a daily charge, with a public garage about a hundred metres away charging by the hour.

Choosing a room: rooms are similar throughout, so the main choice is floor and outlook. Ask for a higher floor on the mountain side for views of Table Mountain, and a room away from the lifts for quiet. Families should check bed configurations when booking, as rooms are compact.

What to know: the hotel does not run an airport or local shuttle, so arrange a transfer or use ride-hailing apps, which are cheap and reliable in Cape Town. The city centre is busy and vibrant during the day and quieter at night; walk short distances in the evening only on busy streets, and use a car for longer trips. If you are driving, plan parking in advance given the limited spaces.

Who it suits: budget and business travellers, first-time visitors who want to explore the city centre's history and museums on foot, and anyone who values a predictable international brand. It lacks the views and atmosphere of the seaside hotels, but it is clean, central and good value. For a more characterful budget stay, compare Atlantic Point Backpackers in Green Point or Breakwater Lodge at the Waterfront.