The international luxury hotel brand makes its African debut at Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront, bringing contemporary design, world-class dining and a distinctly South African creative identity to the Mother City
Cape Town’s luxury hospitality scene has welcomed a significant new arrival. The Cape Town EDITION, the first EDITION hotel in Africa, has officially opened at Quay 7 on the V&A Waterfront, introducing a new destination for discerning travellers and locals alike.
Overlooking the Waterfront’s new superyacht marina, with Table Mountain and the Atlantic Ocean providing a spectacular backdrop, the 142-room hotel combines contemporary architecture, African craftsmanship, destination dining and curated cultural experiences.
The opening places Cape Town alongside international destinations including London, New York, Tokyo, Dubai and Lake Como within EDITION Hotels’ global portfolio.
“Cape Town has a distinctive energy shaped by extraordinary landscapes, diverse influences and an exceptional culinary scene,” says George Fleck, Senior Vice President and Global Brand Leader, EDITION. “As one of the world’s most compelling cultural capitals, it is a natural home for EDITION.”
A New Architectural Landmark at the V&A Waterfront
Designed by internationally acclaimed architecture studio Neri&Hu in collaboration with Cape Town-based architects and professional firms, The Cape Town EDITION draws inspiration from its historic harbour setting.
The building’s low-slung silhouette, pitched rooflines and textured brick façade reference the industrial warehouses that once occupied Quay 7. More than six million bricks were laid by hand, creating a distinctive architectural statement that celebrates the Waterfront’s maritime heritage.
At the centre of the hotel stands The Drum, a dramatic cylindrical structure open to the sky. A spiralling staircase leads to an outdoor viewing platform, revealing panoramic views of Table Mountain, the harbour and the Atlantic Ocean.
The result is an architectural experience that connects the hotel to its surroundings while offering visitors a new perspective on Cape Town.
Inside The Cape Town EDITION’s 142 Luxury Rooms and Suites
The hotel’s 142 guestrooms and suites offer a sophisticated residential atmosphere, combining bespoke furniture, natural finishes and considered details inspired by 19th-century travel trunks.
Floor-to-ceiling views take centre stage, while custom furnishings and rugs by KwaZulu-Natal-based Shuttleworth Weaving introduce an authentic South African design element.
For guests seeking additional space and privacy, the hotel’s most exclusive accommodation includes a 240-square-metre Penthouse and a 112-square-metre Harbour Suite, both offering expansive living areas and remarkable views.
Throughout the property, African art plays an equally important role in shaping the experience.
Design Network Africa sourced works from makers across the continent, including traditional Zulu ukhamba vessels and mouth-blown recycled glass from Eswatini.
Cape Town gallery Southern Guild curated a collection featuring established and emerging African artists. Highlights include black-and-white photographic portraits by Zanele Muholi, sculptural ceramics by Chuma Maweni and Usha Seejarim’s Fading Dish Cloth, created using hundreds of wooden clothes pegs.
Five Restaurants and Bars Bring Cape Flavours to the Waterfront
Food and drink are central to The Cape Town EDITION experience, with five distinct restaurants and bars led by Executive Chef Phil Carmichael and award-winning South African beverage specialist George Hunter.
Carmichael brings experience from some of the Cape’s leading restaurants as well as Berners Tavern at The London EDITION.
Shale: A Celebration of Cape Cuisine
The hotel’s signature restaurant, Shale, places local ingredients and seasonal produce at the heart of its menu.
Working with Cape farmers, coastal fisheries, independent producers and winemakers, the restaurant offers a contemporary interpretation of regional cuisine.
Highlights include Saldanha Bay mussels served in a curry velouté with seaweed salad and braised black rice. Meat is dry-aged in-house, while the wine list focuses predominantly on South African producers.
EAVE: Rooftop Dining with Table Mountain Views
Positioned beside the hotel’s heated rooftop pool, EAVE offers indoor-outdoor dining with sweeping views of Cape Town.
The rooftop restaurant and bar transitions from relaxed afternoons to sundowners and evening dining, with curated music programming adding to the atmosphere after dark.
Guests can enjoy cocktails, regional wines and small plates inspired by the Cape Winelands and surrounding coastline.
The adjoining Pool Terrace provides another setting for breakfast, casual lunches and sunset drinks.
Lobby Bar and Punch Room
On the ground floor, the hotel’s signature Lobby Bar offers a welcoming social space for morning coffee, informal meetings and evening cocktails.
For something more intimate, Punch Room draws inspiration from the historic punch houses associated with international trade routes through the Cape.
Rich wood panelling, velvet banquettes and atmospheric lighting create an opulent setting where punch is served in sharing bowls.
Among the signature creations is Brandewijn, a cocktail combining brandy, Pinotage, rooibos, pineapple, lemon and winter spices.
A Luxury Spa and Wellness Experience Below Sea Level
Wellness takes a prominent position at The Cape Town EDITION, with a spa located below sea level, away from the activity of the Waterfront.
The spa features five treatment rooms, a couples’ suite, sauna and steam room, alongside infrared beds and Therabody recovery boots.
Treatments combine massage, aromatherapy, fascia work and skincare using mineral-rich formulations from luxury skincare brand Omorovicza.
A 24-hour gym complements the wellness offering, while daily yoga, breathwork, sound baths and movement sessions take place around the heated rooftop pool and sun deck.
A New Destination for Cape Town’s Creative Community
Beyond accommodation, The Cape Town EDITION has been designed as a social and cultural destination.
A changing programme of collaborations with chefs, winemakers and creatives will introduce fresh experiences throughout the year, from culinary partnerships to rooftop stargazing.
The hotel also offers versatile event spaces, including a ballroom accommodating up to 200 guests, a boardroom, two meeting studios and a private event terrace.
Additional venues include Vantage, a rooftop event space suited to private gatherings, alongside dining and entertainment spaces available for exclusive occasions.
“We want The Cape Town EDITION to feel as relevant to a Capetonian as it does to someone visiting the city for the first time,” says General Manager Leonie Andereya.
“Inspired by the warmth and authenticity of South African hospitality, we have created a place where locals and travellers come together through food, culture, creativity and conversation.”
Why The Cape Town EDITION Matters for Luxury Travel in South Africa
The arrival of Africa’s first EDITION hotel marks another milestone for Cape Town’s international luxury hospitality offering.
Its location at the V&A Waterfront places guests within easy reach of the city’s museums, art galleries, restaurants, designer boutiques and major attractions.
For international visitors, the hotel offers an introduction to Cape Town through its architecture, cuisine and artistic community. For locals, its restaurants, rooftop spaces and cultural programming provide new reasons to rediscover the Waterfront.
With its emphasis on African creativity and contemporary hospitality, The Cape Town EDITION brings a new dimension to one of South Africa’s most celebrated destinations.
For more information and reservations, visit: The Cape Town EDITION official website.
