Staying at the Radisson Red Cape Town

Trying to decide where to stay in Cape Town, whether its your first visit to the city or you’re a local looking for a little staycation, is like standing in front of the best breakfast buffet you’ve ever seen in your life and trying to decide on just one pastry. Cape Town truly has some of the most incredible hotels, guesthouses, B&Bs and Airbnbs that I’ve seen anywhere in the world, at rates you wouldn’t normally see in a major city, and visitors are completely spoilt for choice!

Radisson Red Hotel Cape Town — Table Mountain on the left, Lion’s Head on the right

I often have readers ask for recommendations for where to stay in Cape Town, and I always try to base my feedback on personal experience, or at least on feedback from my own friends. Personally, I have a few must-haves I look for when I’m booking accommodation; I like free wifi throughout the property, free breakfast (I like finding little local cafés too, but I like having the option to eat at the hotel), and a central location so that I don’t have to spend too much on Ubers or public transport. White bedding and a pool will secure the bag.

Staying at the Radisson RED in Cape Town

Radisson RED best rooftop bar Cape Town — The Radisson RED has one of the best rooftop bars in the city

The rooftop pool is open to anyone using the bar, so it’s the dream on a summer’s day

Radisson RED rooftop bar Cape Town — Cocktails with a view at one of the best rooftop bars in Cape Town

The Radisson RED has been one of my favourite spots for cocktails since it opened, so I was well pleased to be invited to spend a couple of nights. It’s located in the Silo District at the V&A Waterfront, with crazy views of Table Mountain, Lion’s Head and the V&A and within walking distance to loads of shopping, restaurants and bars.

The property is all about the modern traveller. You can log into their wifi without a password, check in on their mobile app, and then head up to their rooftop bar for a cocktail, all without having to stop by reception. The keyless entry feature on the app means you can even unlock your room using your phone – convenient!

Radisson RED Hotel gin blending — The gin blending experience is SO COOL

Gin blending experience Cape Town — Local gin is infused with flavours ranging from spices to local indigenous flavours like fynbos

After dropping my bag in room, I started my stay with a super cool gin blending experience in the hotel bar. The in-house gin expert helped me blend my own signature mix for my afternoon G&Ts using local gin as a base and then blending it with other gins infused with herbs, spices or florals. It was such a cool thing to do and I think it would make for a really thoughtful gift for someone back home or a great souvenir to remember your travels. Or just a bottle to enjoy in your room, tbh.

Radisson RED Hotel room Cape Town — There’s nothing like the crisp white linen of a hotel room

My room was big (about twice the size of a room in New York or Paris) with a big patio, a view stretching from the pillowy windows of the next-door Silo Hotel to the sparkly wheel of the V&A Waterfront, a smart TV, bedside USB charging ports (my fave) and a huge bathroom. The hotel is so modern and it’s obvious that it’s been thoughtfully designed with modern travellers just like me in mind – everything is exactly as I like it when I travel. I mean, you can even order room service from their app!

Although there are lots of places to eat and drink at the Waterfront, the hotel also offers 24 hour room service and of course, there’s that rooftop bar. The views are incredible and the snacks are great! The property has the vibe of a really fun, upmarket hostel, but the look and feel of a slick, modern, more luxurious hotel. Staff are really friendly and welcoming without being overfamiliar. Overall, I really really enjoyed my stay and I was sad to check out. I would absolutely recommend staying at the Radisson RED – oh and booking the gin blending experience!