Blackheath Lodge

This white Victorian home is set on a quiet road and has a red-stone driveway with free parking spots for guests. The lighthearted aesthetic is set straight away in the lobby, where a bright-pink deer head and six brightly colored paintings set off a cool gray pitched roof and white trim. A crystal chandelier and dark leather armchairs complete the casually luxe vibe. On the main deck, coffee and tea are available throughout the day, with cakes or freshly baked cookies served in the afternoon. The bar/lounge has similarly well-conceived hodgepodge decor, with mismatched bar stools and gold ottomans. The restaurant's covered patio mixes chandeliers, little lanterns, and modern metal lamps, while disco balls hang in the adjacent sunroom, which has a comfy couch and long wood table with board games. Guests tend to be leisure travelers, including couples and families, who can be found relaxing around the pool on blue-cushioned lounge chairs on the white stone patio. Families are welcome, and the hotel also has a distinctly romantic vibe that tends to draw couples.

The guest house is set in a residential neighborhood of Sea Point, with bars and restaurants within walking distance and the Sea Point Promenade about a five- to 10-minute drive away. Guests can walk to the waterfront in about five to 10 minutes. Other locales are within driving distance, and the hotel can arrange for car rentals. The city center and the shops and restaurants of Victoria Road are about a 10-minute drive away. The V&A Waterfront and Camps Bay are each within a 10-minute drive. Table Mountain National Park is a 15-minute drive from the hotel, and the airport is 20 minutes away. 

Guest rooms range from Standard Rooms with small wooden balconies to Superior Rooms with full kitchens and private patios to a Loft Suite with ocean views. Each room is individually decorated with touches of bright color, patterns, and curios, such as animal statues. Walls are pale gray and ceilings are white, while built-in shelving adds to the overall clean look and relaxed style. All rooms are air-conditioned and have solar-heated hot water, safes, flat-screen TVs with satellite channels, iPod docking stations, and DVD players. Bathrooms are lovely, with wood floors and modern fixtures, glass-doored walk-in showers, and Charlotte Rhys toiletries; some have beautiful full bathtubs. 

The hotel serves a free daily breakfast that includes fresh fruit, quiches, and a full English breakfast option. Guests can dine on the air-conditioned terrace that overlooks the pretty garden and pool. The small pool is heated and there are cushioned lounge chairs and towels for guests. Dinner can be prepared on request, and the hotel will pack lunches to-go. Staff is always at the ready to offer tips on local restaurants and attractions, and help with car hire, tour booking, and airport transfers. There is street parking, and there are some reserved spaces in the driveway, and a security guard is stationed at the hotel in the day and evening. Cocktails are served in the bar/lounge. Wi-Fi is free.