Cape Town, defined by the dramatic presence of Table Mountain and the Atlantic Ocean, has welcomed The Cape Town EDITION, marking the African debut of the global EDITION Hotels brand. Located at the V&A Waterfront, the new hotel brings together Cape Town’s natural landscapes, maritime heritage, artistic culture and contemporary hospitality. Positioned as both a social gathering place and a gateway to the city, the property joins EDITION’s growing portfolio of hotels in destinations including Lake Como, Tokyo, London, New York and Riviera Maya.
EDITION hotels are known for combining distinctive design, curated culinary experiences and a strong connection to the culture of their locations. “Cape Town has a distinctive energy shaped by extraordinary landscapes, diverse influences and an exceptional culinary scene,” said George Fleck, Senior Vice President and Global Brand Leader, EDITION.
“As one of the world’s most compelling cultural capitals, it is a natural home for EDITION. This opening marks an important milestone for the brand as we continue to grow in destinations that sit at the intersection of culture, creativity and global influence,” he added.
Prime Location at the V&A Waterfront
The Cape Town EDITION is located at Quay 7 within the historic working harbour of the V&A Waterfront, an area that has served as a meeting point for cultures and maritime trade for centuries. The hotel overlooks the Waterfront’s new superyacht marina and faces Table Mountain, placing it at the intersection of Cape Town’s maritime heritage and vibrant contemporary cultural scene. Guests have access to a neighbourhood surrounded by museums, art galleries, restaurants, retail destinations and entertainment venues.
Graham Wood, Chief Executive Officer of the V&A Waterfront, said the opening represents an important milestone in the Waterfront’s ongoing development and reflects confidence in Cape Town as a globally competitive tourism and investment destination. “At Quay 7, the EDITION brings an exceptional international hospitality brand into a working harbour and connects it to the wider Waterfront neighbourhood through new dining, cultural and public-facing experiences,” Wood said.
Architecture Inspired by Maritime Heritage
Designed by Neri&Hu in collaboration with Cape Town-based architects and professional firms, the hotel draws inspiration from the industrial character of Quay 7 and the working harbour. Its long, low-slung structure, pitched rooflines and material palette reference the warehouse buildings that previously occupied the site.
More than six million bricks were laid by hand in shifting patterns across the façade, creating texture and giving the property a distinctive architectural identity rooted in its surroundings. At the centre of the hotel is The Drum, a soaring cylindrical space open to the elements. A spiral staircase leads to an outdoor viewing platform, offering views across the harbour, Table Mountain, the Atlantic Ocean and the V&A Waterfront. The space serves both as an arrival experience and a public lookout, inviting guests, visitors and locals to experience the city from a new perspective.
142 Rooms and Suites Showcase Local Craft
The Cape Town EDITION features 142 guestrooms and suites designed to combine refined comfort with a residential atmosphere. Bespoke furniture, natural finishes and integrated joinery inspired by 19th-century travel trunks create warm and layered interiors, while large windows provide expansive views of the surrounding city and waterfront. Local craftsmanship has also been incorporated through custom furnishings and rugs produced by KwaZulu-Natal-based Shuttleworth Weaving. The hotel’s accommodation is crowned by the 240-square-metre Penthouse and 112-square-metre Harbour Suite, both offering generous living spaces and panoramic views.
African Art and Design Take Centre Stage
Art and design throughout the property reflect Africa’s diverse creative landscape, connecting guests with local and regional stories, traditions,, and craftsmanship. Design Network Africa sourced contemporary pieces from makers across the continent, including Zulu ukhamba vessels and mouth-blown recycled glass from Eswatini. Cape Town-based Southern Guild curated the hotel’s art collection, bringing together established and emerging African artists. Works include Zanele Muholi’s black-and-white photographic portraits in Punch Room, Usha Seejarim’s Fading Dish Cloth in the spa and Chuma Maweni’s smoke-fired ceramics across the lobby and dining spaces.
Culinary Experiences Celebrate the Cape
The hotel’s food and beverage programme is led by Executive Chef Phil Carmichael, whose experience includes Berners Tavern at The London EDITION, alongside award-winning South African beverage partner George Hunter. The programme spans restaurants and bars designed to take guests from breakfast through late-night dining and entertainment. The signature restaurant, Shale, showcases seasonal ingredients sourced from farmers, coastal fisheries, winemakers and independent producers. Meat is dry-aged in-house, while the predominantly South African wine list highlights the country’s diverse wine regions.
The menu combines familiar ingredients with unexpected interpretations, including Saldanha Bay mussels served with curry velouté, seaweed salad and braised black rice. On the rooftop, EAVE provides an indoor-outdoor dining and social space overlooking Cape Town. Located beside a heated pool, the venue transitions from relaxed afternoons to sunset drinks, dinner and curated music programming.
The Pool Terrace complements the rooftop experience with breakfast, daytime refreshments, sunset cocktails and light dinners. At ground level, the EDITION Lobby Bar offers a relaxed setting designed to resemble a Cape Town living room, while Punch Room draws inspiration from the centuries-old tradition of communal punch drinking along historic trade routes. Brandewijn, a signature punch combining brandy, Pinotage, rooibos, pineapple, lemon and winter spices, offers a contemporary interpretation of South African flavours.
Wellness and Recovery Facilities
The hotel’s spa is located below sea level, providing a quieter environment away from the energy of the Waterfront. Facilities include five treatment rooms, a couples’ suite, sauna and steam room, as well as infrared beds and Therabody recovery boots. Treatments combine skincare, massage, fascia work and aromatherapy with Omorovicza’s mineral-rich formulations. The wellness offering also includes a 24-hour gym and a daily programme of yoga, breathwork, sound baths and movement sessions around the heated rooftop pool and sun deck.
Flexible Spaces for Events and Gatherings
The Cape Town EDITION also features a range of spaces for meetings, celebrations and social events. The hotel’s ballroom can accommodate up to 200 people and is complemented by a boardroom, two meeting studios and a private event terrace. Guests and event organisers can also use the hotel’s dining and social venues for destination-focused experiences, including harbourside receptions, rooftop cocktails at EAVE, private gatherings at Vantage and dinners at Shale.
A New Social Hub for Cape Town
Leonie Andereya, General Manager of The Cape Town EDITION, said the hotel aims to appeal equally to local residents and international visitors. “We want The Cape Town EDITION to feel as relevant to a Capetonian as it does to someone visiting the city for the first time,” Andereya said. Inspired by South African hospitality, the hotel brings together food, culture, creativity and conversation in a setting designed to be sophisticated without being overly formal.
The opening strengthens EDITION’s international presence while introducing the brand’s distinctive hospitality concept to Africa for the first time. EDITION Hotels currently operates 23 properties across major destinations including New York, Miami Beach, West Hollywood, Tampa, Barcelona, Bodrum, London, Reykjavik, Madrid, Rome, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sanya, Shanghai, Tokyo, Singapore, Riviera Maya, the Red Sea, Jeddah, Lake Como and Dali.
