Why we like it: This hotel is one-of-a-kind. Not because it has the biggest rooms, or the most lavish chandeliers, but because of the familial feel from the moment you walk in. There are only thirteen individually-styled bedrooms, and two private villas. Here, even some of the most hardened Wall Street folk walk in to feel how lucky they are to be staying in a place like Ellerman House.

It’s run like a home (as in, you put your room keys in a big bowl when you come and go).  The hotel comes with a renowned spa, a pantry, a gym, a pool that overlooks the Atlantic Ocean, a bar (where you can get to know the other guests on a personal level), a library, and several signature itineraries through which you can make your way through Cape Town.

What to know: This is not your slick large-scale hotel; it’s an intimate boutique experience. So, if you’re looking for modern glass and steel and a buzzy scene-y feel, this may not be the place for you.