Cape Town’s luxury accommodation stock grew by 142 luxury rooms this week with the opening of The Cape Town EDITION on Tuesday, October 27.
The hotel is Africa’s first under Marriott’s EDITION brand. It is located at Quay 7 in the V&A Waterfront’s working harbour, overlooking the new superyacht marina and facing Table Mountain. It has 142 guest rooms and suites, topped by a 240 square metre Penthouse and a 112 square metre Harbour Suite.
David Ryan, Founder and CEO of Rhino Africa, called the opening “another enormous vote of confidence in Cape Town as a world-class luxury destination”. He is realistic about supply, however.
“Will another 142 rooms relieve the pressure on accommodation during peak season? Every little bit helps but I suspect we’ll still be fighting for rooms over December and January. Cape Town’s challenge isn’t lack of demand; it’s keeping pace with it.”
Although this means demand still outstrips supply at the top end in the busiest months, Ryan said additional inventory is always welcome to tour operators, “particularly at the luxury end of the market”.
He also pointed to what the hotel adds beyond room numbers. “What’s equally exciting is the diversity it brings to our offering. Luxury travellers increasingly want something distinctive. Cape Town EDITION brings a different energy and experience to the Waterfront.”
Charlotte Smith, Inbound Product Manager at Giltedge, welcomes the addition but stressed the limits of its size. “At 142 rooms, it will ease the pressure at the top end rather than relieve it. Between November and March, and around major events, Cape Town’s luxury inventory is under real strain.”
However, it provides more choice and that matters, said Smith. “Many of our guests are high-end American travellers. A brand they know, linked to Marriott Bonvoy, will appeal to some of them. Real flexibility depends on how the hotel works with the trade: its allocation policies, rate parity and how responsive it is during peak periods. We look forward to building that partnership. For now, our advice to agents doesn’t change: for Cape Town in peak season, book early!”
Designed by Neri&Hu with Cape Town architects, Cape Town EDITION features a brick façade of more than six million hand-laid bricks and a central cylindrical space, called The Drum, with a spiral staircase leading to a public viewing platform. Interiors include furnishings and rugs, woven by KwaZulu-Natal’s Shuttleworth Weaving, and an art collection curated by Southern Guild.
The food and drink offering is significant. There are five restaurants and bars, including the signature restaurant Shale, the rooftop EAVE and the Punch Room. Executive Chef Phil Carmichael leads the programme. The hotel also has a below-ground spa, a rooftop pool and a 24-hour gym.
For the business events market, the hotel offers a ballroom for up to 200 people, a boardroom, two meeting studios, a private event terrace and a rooftop event space called Vantage. The hotel plans a changing calendar of collaborations with chefs, winemakers and creatives.
V&A Waterfront CEO Graham Wood described the opening as “a strong expression of confidence in Cape Town as a globally competitive tourism and investment destination.” He said it also signals “the next chapter for Granger Bay”.
The building has divided opinion. “It is one of the more controversial buildings to grace the Waterfront skyline,” said Ryan. “Love it or hate it, it’s certainly got people talking!”
