Marriott has just announced plans for its newest EDITION property, which also marks the brand’s debut in Africa.
In this post:
Basics of the new Cape Town EDITION, South Africa
Marriott and V&A Waterfront Holdings have signed an agreement to open the Cape Town EDITION in 2026, within the V&A Waterfront. The V&A Waterfront is one of the Southern Hemisphere’s oldest working harbors, and among the most visited destinations in the area.
The Cape Town EDITION is expected to feature 142 guest rooms and suites, in addition to several dining outlets (including a rooftop bar), a spa, pool, and meeting and event facilities. The development will also feature six private residences. The EDITION will boast views of the Atlantic Ocean, the City Bowl, Table Mountain, Lion’s Head, and Signal Hill.
Shanghai-based architectural firm Neri & Hu has been appointed to design the property, in collaboration with local architect and design firm StudioMAS. So far details about the property are otherwise quite limited, but based on the couple of renderings that have been released, this property will have a unique design.
I’m curious, does anyone know the backstory of this deal? I imagine this development has been under construction for a long time if it’s opening next year. So had they previously not decided on a brand, or did they just make a change at the last minute?
For those of you not familiar with EDITION, it’s Marriott’s modern premium brand. Think of it as a modern take on Ritz-Carlton, aimed at a younger crowd (while still offering limited Bonvoy elite benefits, including not offering complimentary breakfast). Personally I have mixed feelings on the brand, and in particular, think it’s a bit extreme when it comes to marketing.
This is a great addition to the Cape Town hotel scene
While I can be critical of the EDITION brand, Cape Town is a city where I’m delighted to see such a property open. The reality is that Cape Town currently has no luxury points hotels belonging to one of the major hotel groups. There are plenty of chain hotels, but they’re all mid-range, at best.
So it’s great that we’ll finally have a points option that should be quite luxurious, with an ideal location. I’d almost view this as being similar to the Reykjavik EDITION, in terms of bringing a good points hotel to an otherwise “meh” hotel market.
Now, Cape Town does have a good number of luxury properties, but they’re all independent, or belong to small hotel groups. The Silo Hotel is probably regarded as the city’s best hotel — it’s spectacular, but priced accordingly. But there are several other great properties as well, like the One&Only, Mount Nelson (a Belmond Hotel), and Cape Grace (a Fairmont Hotel).
Bottom line
The EDITION brand will be debuting in Africa, with the opening of the Cape Town EDITION in 2026. The 142-room property will be located within the V&A Waterfront, so will have a pretty desirable location. Given Cape Town’s lack of luxury points hotels, I think this is a great addition to the market.
What do you make of plans for the Cape Town EDITION?
Ben, your statement about no luxury points hotels is incorrect. Cape Grace, which has been completely renovated, is now managed by Fairmont and is therefore part of Accor.
Lucky has never heard of Accor.
The Intercontinental is occupying what used to be the Table Bay hotel (thus the "Intercontinental Table Bay" naming), a 4-star(ish) tourist hotel that did a lot of catering to the cruise industry, which made perfect sense, considering its location. The Edition will be next to that in the newly developing Quay 7. Nice location, away from the louder bustle of the V&A Waterfront proper (I'm looking at you, V&A Waterfront Hotel).
I suppose labor is cheap in South Africa but I always wonder whether developers and chains consider whether they can actually find qualified, competent staff for these new hotels. Look at Sarasota, which barely has enough hotel workers to support 4-star hotels. Absent foreign guest workers I don't know where they're getting staff for both a Ritz-Carlton and a St. Regis.
Finding qualified staff is not difficult in SA, it's the training that's the challenge. It certainly can be done, as the Saxon in Joburg, and the Cape Grace, Ellerman House, Silo (and several others) in Cape Town and local environs clearly demonstrate. Even some of the Newmark properties in CPT are quite nice at much more popular (though by no means cheap) prices.
Note that the exchange rate has been slowly worsening for US dollar...
Finding qualified staff is not difficult in SA, it's the training that's the challenge. It certainly can be done, as the Saxon in Joburg, and the Cape Grace, Ellerman House, Silo (and several others) in Cape Town and local environs clearly demonstrate. Even some of the Newmark properties in CPT are quite nice at much more popular (though by no means cheap) prices.
Note that the exchange rate has been slowly worsening for US dollar holders, however it's still quite strong considering where it was 15-20 years ago.
Cape Town attracts a lot of qualified, eager talent from all over SA and the world, and there's nothing wrong with that. It's an incredibly entrepreneurial and welcoming city. Yes, it has issues like anywhere else, but there should be no problems like you describe in SW FL.
Ben, I was in Cape Town, November 2024, and saw the construction (it's a bit removed from the main V&A area, closer to the ocean). Stayed at the O&O nearby (which is an epic hotel). The location is a winner (beautiful views of Table Mountain, easy access to the ferry to Robin Island, etc.) Combined with a tour/stay in the wine regions (Constantia, Stellenbosch, etc.), a daytrip to the Cape, etc., would be an epic...
Ben, I was in Cape Town, November 2024, and saw the construction (it's a bit removed from the main V&A area, closer to the ocean). Stayed at the O&O nearby (which is an epic hotel). The location is a winner (beautiful views of Table Mountain, easy access to the ferry to Robin Island, etc.) Combined with a tour/stay in the wine regions (Constantia, Stellenbosch, etc.), a daytrip to the Cape, etc., would be an epic trip, even without a safari. Nonstops from ATL (DL) and EWR (UA). SAA used to fly to MIA nonstop on the 744, back in the day.
Ugh, auto-correct. Robben (not Robin) Island.
There are also seasonal nonstops to CPT from IAD.
SA stopped the MIA flights when it started the JFK Joburg nonstop and IAD one-stop Joburg flights back in the early/mid aughts.
Yes! Well said, TravelinWilly. Was wild to see all the SAA a340s sitting dormant in JNB during the pandemic. It seems they've started them back up, but nothing like they were. Like, they've only got 4 wide-bodies in the entire fleet at the moment (2 a330s, 2 a340s). Accra, Lagos, Sao Paolo isn't much of a long-haul international network either. Much prefer Airlink for domestic and regional flights (no middle seats, delicious meals).
2026? How can this happen?
Intercontinental - directly next to the EDITION - is in soft opening.
There’s also the Westin about 100m from the Waterfront border.
Nice to see Bonvoy make a stronger presence. Not a lot of points options for luxury in Cape Town.
However I think VF waterfront is cool but meh. Could be anywhere. But I know I’m in the minority