Review: Westin Cape Town

Why didn't you take Uber from the airport?

"The area you really want to walk around in Cape Town is the waterfront."

Really? There are so many other AMAZING areas of Cape Town, with culture and local flavour. Why would you consider the area that is basically a fake, mini Disneyland with a mall and a bunch of shopping as the area that you really want to walk around? Is that all that you did in CT?

And soon to be a Marriott property !!!! As a lifetime PLT I had to say that. I enjoy Cape Town and always wondered about the Westin. When in CPT I use the Protea North Wharf which gives me a one bedroom apartment and yes it's a Marriott.

Try Camps Bay

If you stay in hostels you will meet many many Europeans traveling for more than a year and moving around similar to you. On one hand they have seen more of the world than you have from your bubble like dwellings but on the other hand they couldn't be able to afford to live the way you do and hence have to make do with hostels and economy tickets.

So you have done well for yourself but sadly it has taken away from your experiences of having traveled the world. Who knows whether seeing the world even matters. Americans end up electing buffoons and handing them foreign policy matters anyway.

In lieu of waiting for the shuttle, Uber X & Black are $3/5 one way to the waterfront...

@Credit I've stayed at hostels and I've stayed at Park Hyatts. I'm happy to experience the world from the Park Hyatt every time, especially given that they've often been cheaper than the hostels thanks to blogs like this.

But don't let that stop you from trolling about politics. My staying at a Park Hyatt is probably why Donald Trump will be president.

I stayed there on Cash & Points January, and I got a free upgrade to an executive room, "as an SPG Gold". Curiously, I was not actually an SPG Gold at the time, but I'm not one to look a gift horse in the mouth. The room was facing the port and had a nice walk-through closet to access the bathroom. I didn't hear any of the crackling windows.

I didn't like that the club lounge was more of a restaurant then a lounge.

I actually walked to the Waterfront from the hotel, rather than take the shuttle, and let me tell you, it's not easy. You have to illegally cross several streets because there are no crosswalks or other pedestrian accommodations in several sections along the route.

Sadly, this was just published by the U.S. Embassy:

"The U.S. Diplomatic Mission to South Africa informs U.S. citizens that the U.S. Government has received information that terrorist groups are planning to carry out near-term attacks against places where U.S. citizens congregate in South Africa, such as upscale shopping areas and malls in Johannesburg and Cape Town."
https://za.usembassy.gov/security-message-u-s-citizens-threats-shopping-areas-malls/

@Lucky, thank you for reviewing this hotel. I'm currently planning a trip to Dubai, Cape Town, Durban, Mauritius, etc. for next year and was debating between this and a boutique hotel in Camps Bay (either POD or Atlantic View). While I'm leaning more towards the boutique hotels due to Citi 4th night free, it sounds like the Westin might be a good choice if SPG has some attractive promotions. Couple of questions;

1) I've read your review of SAA short-haul business class. Have you flown Air Mauritius short-haul business? If so, any thoughts?
2) Have you stayed at any of the SPG properties in Mauritius?
3) Have you stayed at any of the SPG properties in Dubai?

Thank you for all the great advise - I travel a lot for work (100 nights a year, 150k miles, etc.) and your blog has been tremendously helpful in maximizing points.

@RameshJ
Regarding question 3, see the trip report: https://onemileatatime.com/review-al-maha-dining/

Hi Lucky, we checked out the Westin while a friend stayed there during our wedding trip to South Africa. We stayed at the Dock House Boutique Hotel near the V&A waterfont, in their suite--which I highly recommend. The whole property is just 6 rooms and the suite. We previously had stayed at the Cape Grace on our first trip to Cape Town, which is the city's closest thing to a Four Seasons IMO. But the cost/benefit for the Dock House is so good that we've stayed there every time since.

I also agree with other comments that the V&A Waterfont is good for the tourist on a first visit, but it's not the only place to stay. Camps Bay (the Pod is fantastic) and the area around the Belmond Mt. Nelson are other wonderful locations in the city.

That being said, the Westin is not badly located...if you are OK with the short shuttle or uber ride into the Waterfront. It is a very nice Westin with better than average service even for that quality brand. Our friend had an amazing stay and has returned may times.

Lucky - I can't believe you have never seen a trouser press! I think like 80% of the hotels I have stayed in Europe seem to have them.

The trouser press is required by the star-rating agency in the UK. As South Africa used to be British, I'm guessing it's a holdover of colonial days. The South African hotel rating agency probably has the same U.K. standards.

As for the breakfast spread, that is very international and un-American for a largely American-centric brand.

I have seen trouser presses in Asia too.

I'm a fan of your writing, but this hotel seems like a poor choice. There are many independent, boutique, funky hotels that you could have gotten in much better locations for half the price. And used the Prestige!

@SFS, as a points/miles blogger, Lucky owes it to us to report on hotels we can all stay in using points.
That's "the point" of the blog.

The last image in your series of photos is a wonderful shot of Cape Town's highly regarded Cape Grace Hotel, situated on the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront. It is by far my favorite hotel in the city and certainly one of the very best hotels in South Africa. It is a uniquely African property, whereas the Westin - though very comfortable - is at the end of the day just another big city, chain hotel. It could be in Frankfurt, or Detroit.

I hope you took the opportunity to get out of that sterile, popping-glass high-rise and stroll up Long Street; meander through the Company Gardens; take a look at the colorful Bo-Kaap; and wander the paths atop Table Mountain, taking-in the incredible views of beach communities far below. Because it would be a real shame to fly all the way to Cape Town - and miss Cape Town.

Next time try Taj Cape town. It's fantastic.

@ Lucky, something that needs to mentioned for the Executive Lounge breakfast is if you are a Plat staying on points, they will not allow you to order off the menu unless you pay. The GM will only allow the buffet portion of the Exec Lounge. It's an extremely ridiculous and cheap rule the GM will not bend on.

Why bring in hostels and the American election? Illogical.

"As a club guest at this hotel you can choose to have breakfast either in the hotel’s restaurant or in the club lounge"

So this is irrespective of your platinum status? I'm gold and have an upcoming reservation in a club room. We'll have access to either breakfast location?

Seeing the Table Mountain on the background and the Waterfront reminds me of my last visit to South Africa which was more than a decade ago.

We are visiting the Westin in a few weeks for 5 nights and your wonderful review enhanced our already high expectations for the trip. Thanks.

Will I be charged for a glass of wine (or two) in the lounge? Platinum. If so, how much?

A useful insight to the Westin, I am staying in a month’s time courtesy of lifetime platinum points. This Westin seems no different in facilities or charges to any other from Sidney to London to New Orleans. It’s gratifying to know my expectations will be realised.
Thank you for your review and the other bloggers from whom I have gleaned useful info.

Pleased to report that I was there for a couple of nights earlier this week and it operates as a normal lounge - there was no obvious menu for food or drink. Trouble is, though, that they have the cheapest white and red wines (and beers) available, but no spirits. Now, I suspect you could order "off menu", but it wasn't obvious. I do think, given it's Cape Town, that they could have a number of local wines on offer which, given SA prices, would surely not cost them much.