The Victoria & Alfred Hotel in Cape Town combines elegance with innovative, modern luxury. The V&A Hotel, as it is affectionately known, has 94 air-conditioned rooms with views over the piazza or Table Mountain with the working Cape Town harbour in the foreground. Though the low-slung Victoria & Alfred Hotel (with only 3 floors) was the first hotel in the V&A Waterfront, it has kept up with the times whilst retaining its reputation for warm personal service and a relaxed ambience. Indeed the loft suites have a more contemporary styling some with with their own individual terraces. Each of its rooms at Victoria & Alfred Hotel is spacious and well appointed with separate bath and shower, satellite television, telephone, DVD player, fully stocked minibar, complimentary wifi and a king size bed to ensure a comfortable stay.

The OYO restaurant and cocktail bar offers both a visual and culinary delight and specialises in seafood. It is set right on the water's edge with views up to the majestic Table Mountain. You can choose to dine alfresco on the terrace and bask in the marine ambience. The menu focuses on fresh seafood and is one of my personal favourites for both lunch and dinner. However if you fancy a change, there's a vast range restaurants on offer within easy walking distance in the rest of the Waterfront.

The only thing to note is that the Victoria & Alfred Hotel has no swimming pool. However guests staying here are welcome to use both the swimming pool, garden and spa facilities of its luxurious sister hotel, The Dockhouse, which lies 3 minutes walk away.