BEWARE: Cape Grace, A Renovated Waterfront Hotel in Cape Town

Don't Believe the Hype! Sometimes the gorgeous photos you see on Websites and in magazines are misleading, and many properties receive undeserved praise in the press. By giving you honest feedback from our personal experience, or that of someone we know and trust, the Beware files help you steer clear of disappointment and wasted time and money.

My parents stayed at this well-marketed and recently renovated grand dame in 2006 and liked it. One of my trusted Insiders stayed in December 2008 and also liked it—central location on the V&A Waterfront, nicely appointed rooftop room, spacious bathroom, a balcony with incredible views of Table Mountain, and outstanding service, especially from the concierge team.

So, why the BEWARE file? Cape Grace Hotel lacks, in my humble opinion, what one comes to experience and appreciate in Cape Town. There are 121 guest rooms and suites, large for the area and impersonal. My Insider says its proximity to the V&A Waterfront could be a "pro" for some guests and a "con" for others—"It's a very touristy and crowded area for my taste," she adds—and also reports the service by the swimming pool has room for improvement. The worst factor? "There's a dry dock a few hundred meters away," she says, "and when the wind blows the wrong way, you can smell the stench while by the swimming pool and from the breakfast areas." Other than the delightful staff and old-fashioned air of elegance ... this ain't it, sorry.

Agree or Disagree? Comment below and let us know.