The Cape Town EDITION Opens Its Doors at the V&A Waterfront

Cape Town’s latest hotel opening brings together architecture, contemporary African art, and a food and drink offering shaped by the character of the Cape. Located at Quay 7 on the V&A Waterfront, The Cape Town EDITION marks the hospitality brand’s first arrival on the African continent.

Set between the historic working harbour and the new superyacht marina, the hotel occupies a part of the city where maritime history meets its evolving cultural scene. With Table Mountain and the Atlantic Ocean as its backdrop, the building takes inspiration from its surroundings, offering a contemporary interpretation of waterfront living.

A Design Language Rooted in Place

Designed by Shanghai-based architecture and design practice Neri & Hu in collaboration with Cape Town-based architects and professional firms, the hotel draws inspiration from the industrial character of the harbour. Its low-slung form, high rooflines, and textured brick exteriors reference the warehouse structures that once occupied the site. More than six million bricks were laid by hand in shifting patterns, giving the exterior a distinctive sense of texture.

At the centre of the building is The Drum, a soaring cylindrical space open to the elements. A spiral staircase leads to an outdoor viewing platform, gradually revealing views across the harbour, Table Mountain, and the Atlantic. The space offers a fresh perspective on a familiar part of the city.

Inside, the 142 guest rooms and suites take a residential approach to luxury, with natural finishes and bespoke furniture inspired by 19th-century travel trunks. Locally made details include custom furnishings and rugs woven by KwaZulu-Natal-based Shuttleworth Weaving.

Art and craft are equally central to the interiors. Design Network Africa sourced pieces from makers across the continent, including Zulu ukhamba vessels and mouth-blown recycled glass from Eswatini. The art collection, curated by Cape Town’s Southern Guild, brings together established and emerging African artists. Zanele Muholi’s photographic portraits feature in Punch Room, while Usha Seejarim’s Fading Dish Cloth, made from hundreds of wooden clothing pegs, appears in the spa. Chuma Maweni’s smoke-fired ceramics add sculptural detail to the lobby and dining spaces.

A Taste of the Cape

Food and drink are a major part of the hotel’s offering, with five restaurants and bars from casual daytime dining to more intimate evening experiences.

At Shale, executive chef Phil Carmichael leads a seasonal menu inspired by local farmers, coastal fisheries, winemakers, and independent producers. Up on the rooftop, EAVE pairs expansive views with a heated pool, indoor-outdoor dining, and a programme that moves from afternoon drinks to dinner and music after dark. The adjoining Pool Terrace offers a more relaxed setting for breakfast, light meals, and sundowners.

On the ground floor, the Lobby Bar is designed as an informal setting, while Punch Room revisits the tradition of shared punch bowls in a dimly lit setting of wood panelling and velvet banquettes.

Beyond the Stay

Wellness facilities include a spa below sea level, five treatment rooms, a sauna and steam room, alongside a 24-hour gym. A daily programme of yoga, breathwork, sound baths, and movement sessions extends to the rooftop pool and sun deck.

The hotel also plans a changing calendar of collaborations with chefs, winemakers and creatives, with experiences ranging from food and drink partnerships to rooftop stargazing.

With its combination of locally informed design, contemporary African art and a distinctly Cape-inspired culinary programme, The Cape Town EDITION adds a new layer to the V&A Waterfront’s evolving identity. 

Photography Credits: Jiri Lizler