You can already picture yourself waking up to an ocean view — now all that is left is choosing where to stay. And this is where things get interesting: two beautiful apartments can differ not only in their interiors, but also in how your entire day will work 🏡
Let’s look at what to check before booking, so once you arrive you can think about the trip itself instead of urgently searching for a new apartment.
📍 Start with the neighbourhood and exact location
Think about what matters most to you: having the ocean nearby, restaurants within walking distance, a quieter atmosphere or a convenient starting point for driving trips. Check how far the places you want to visit are and how you plan to get back in the evening.
Do not judge a neighbourhood by its name alone. Check the exact street and address, recent reviews and information about access to the building. You can also ask your host how guests usually get around and where they normally arrange transport.
📖 How to choose an area in Cape Town
🛏 Hotel, apartment or house
At a hotel, it is useful to check reception hours, breakfast and luggage storage.
If you are choosing an apartment, check the kitchen, whether there is a washing machine, how check-in works and who you can contact if you need anything.
If you are travelling with a group and renting a house, look at the number of separate bedrooms and bathrooms, guest rules and what is included in the price.
A beautiful wide-angle photo does not always show how everything actually works 👀
💰 What will the final price be?
Before paying, check the total amount for your dates: accommodation, cleaning, any deposit and other fees listed in the conditions.
Compare options based on the final price and the conditions that actually matter to you.
Check when payment is charged, whether the booking can be cancelled or the dates changed, and when and under what conditions the deposit is returned.
Keep your booking confirmation and correspondence.
🔑 Check-in and practical details
What time can you check in and check out?
Who will meet you if your flight is delayed?
Is there parking, internet and heating if you are travelling during a cooler time of year?
You can also ask about backup power if staying connected or working is important to you.
If you are planning to rent a car, check where it will be parked and whether parking needs to be arranged in advance.
Before booking, it is also useful to understand how easy it will be to reach the accommodation after landing.
🚗 How to get from Cape Town Airport
🧳 Can you leave your luggage somewhere?
Someone in our chat recently asked where they could leave their belongings for several weeks.
If this matters for your route, ask the hotel or another storage facility in advance whether they accept luggage for the period you need, how much it costs and what conditions and restrictions apply.
It is better to keep documents, money and valuables with you.
Storage conditions can vary, so get confirmation before building your whole trip around this option.
☀️ Consider the season
Weather, demand and prices can vary depending on your dates and location.
Compare options for your specific travel period and check the cancellation conditions in advance.
If you are planning to stay by the ocean, do not forget to check what kind of heating the accommodation has and how well protected it is from the wind.
🐸 What to check before paying
📍 The exact address and whether the neighbourhood works for your route.
💳 The total price, deposit and refund conditions.
🔑 Check-in time, how you receive the keys and the host’s contact details.
🚗 Parking and how you will get to the accommodation.
📶 Internet, heating and any other amenities that matter specifically to you.
🧳 Luggage storage, if you will need it.
Then save a few places near your future accommodation: somewhere for breakfast on your first morning, a grocery shop and a restaurant that will be nice to visit after the journey.
Officially, I'm an editor of city media around the world. But really, I'm just that traveling frog who chases adventures, connects people, and discovers new ways to make life a little more meaningful, exciting, and full of wonder every day
