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There are some places in Cape Town that you can visit a hundred times and still find something new to appreciate. Recently, I had the pleasure of being invited to experience the newly reimagined InterContinental Table Bay Cape Town, and it was such a wonderful opportunity to see how this iconic hotel has been transformed.
Located at the V&A Waterfront, the hotel has always been part of Cape Town’s hospitality story. But after its recent R1-billion redevelopment, it feels like it has entered an entirely new chapter.
From the moment I arrived, I could see that this was more than just a refurbishment. The hotel has been thoughtfully redesigned to create a calmer, more contemporary and luxurious experience, while still celebrating what makes Cape Town so special — the ocean, the mountain and the city.
A Hotel With History
The history of the property is quite special. The original hotel was officially inaugurated in May 1997 by former South African President Nelson Mandela.
Almost three decades later, it has another significant milestone to add to its story. Following its recent rebranding, it has officially become Cape Town’s first InterContinental hotel.
The iconic building remains owned by the V&A Waterfront and continues to be operated by Sun International under a franchise agreement with IHG Hotels & Resorts.
And while the hotel has undergone a dramatic transformation, its incredible location remains one of its biggest attractions.
Right at the Heart of the V&A Waterfront
One of the things I really appreciated about the hotel is its location.
The InterContinental Table Bay is the only hotel with direct access into the V&A Waterfront, which makes exploring the restaurants, shops, attractions and entertainment incredibly convenient.
You don’t have to get into a car or organise transport to enjoy everything the Waterfront has to offer. You can simply walk out of the hotel and you’re right there.
For anyone visiting Cape Town, I think this is a huge advantage — especially if you’re travelling with children or simply want to make the most of your time in the city.
A Completely New Look
The hotel officially celebrated its grand reopening in August 2026, following an extensive 18-month, R1-billion redevelopment.
The old-world, colonial-inspired styling has been replaced with a much calmer and more contemporary South African aesthetic.
The interiors are inspired by the natural surroundings, bringing together the colours and textures of the ocean, mountains and city.
I really enjoyed how the design allows Cape Town itself to become part of the experience. From the views of Table Mountain to the harbour, there is always a reminder of where you are.
The redevelopment also reduced the number of guestrooms from 329 to 306, creating more generous spaces. At the same time, the number of luxury suites more than doubled, increasing from 18 to 40 suites.
The transformation also introduced completely revamped public spaces, including the exclusive Club InterContinental, SPA InterContinental, a new fitness studio and an elevated outdoor pool terrace.
My Flint & Fennel Dining Experience
One of the highlights of my visit was getting to experience Flint & Fennel, the hotel’s signature restaurant.
From the moment we arrived, we were warmly welcomed by Pammy, who was absolutely phenomenal. Her warm welcome immediately set the tone for what turned out to be such a lovely dining experience.
Our waiter, Sardeequa, was also incredible. Her attentive service and friendly personality made our experience extra special.
It’s those little details — the warm welcome, genuine hospitality and someone taking the time to make sure you’re enjoying yourself — that can completely change a dining experience.
Cocktails to Start
Of course, no special dining experience is complete without something lovely to drink!
We started our evening with a Martini and a Whisky Sour.
The Martini had that classic, sophisticated feel you expect — crisp, elegant and the perfect choice for slowly settling into a beautiful dinner setting.
The Whisky Sour brought something completely different. It was vibrant and refreshing, with that lovely balance between the character of the whisky and the bright citrus notes of a sour.
Sitting back with our cocktails, taking in the atmosphere of Flint & Fennel and enjoying the beautiful surroundings was honestly one of those moments where you can simply relax and enjoy being present.
Starting With Something Special
We started our meal with chakalaka bread and maas bolletjie bread, served with buttery butter.
The breads were such a lovely introduction to the meal, bringing a distinctly South African touch to the table. I really enjoyed having something familiar and comforting to begin with before moving on to our mains.
Eikendal Rosé 2026
With our main course, we enjoyed the Eikendal Rosé 2026, which was a lovely accompaniment to our meal.
Its refreshing character paired beautifully with the richness of the dishes we chose and added another lovely touch to the dining experience.
There was something really enjoyable about sitting back, enjoying a glass of rosé and taking our time over dinner. It made the meal feel less like simply going out to eat and more like an experience to savour.
For our mains, we decided to try two different dishes so that we could experience more of what Flint & Fennel has to offer.
Roasted Pork Belly
The roasted pork belly was served with: Anise carrot purée, Balsamic-glazed heritage carrots and beetroot, Apple gremolata and Pork scratching
The richness of the pork belly worked beautifully with the sweeter elements on the plate, while the apple gremolata added a fresh contrast.
And the pork scratching brought that extra crispy texture that made each bite even more enjoyable.
Pit-Roasted Beef Brisket
We also opted for the pit-roasted beef brisket, served with: Crispy rosemary potatoes, Heirloom baby beets, Beef biltong, Mushroom duxelles and Bordelaise sauce. This was definitely a dish for anyone who enjoys hearty flavours.
The combination of the tender brisket, crispy rosemary potatoes and rich bordelaise sauce created a wonderfully comforting plate, while the beef biltong added another distinctly South African touch.
Paired with our Eikendal Rosé, it made for a really enjoyable main-course experience.
What I appreciated about the meal was that it felt elevated without becoming overly complicated. There was a lovely balance between refined dining and familiar South African flavours.
And, of course, having such wonderful service from Pammy and Sardeequa made the experience even more memorable.
Wellness, Relaxation & Fitness
For me, a hotel experience isn’t only about the room and the food. Having spaces where you can relax, unwind or keep up with your routine makes a big difference.
The InterContinental Table Bay has a 24-hour gym, which means guests can fit in a workout whenever suits their schedule.
The hotel also has SPA InterContinental, featuring six treatment rooms, where guests can enjoy a range of treatments and take some time out to relax.
There is also an elevated outdoor pool terrace, creating another beautiful space to unwind while taking in the surroundings.
I love that the hotel has thought about wellness as part of the overall stay rather than treating it as an extra.
Family-Friendly Too
Something else that stood out to me is that the hotel hasn’t forgotten about its younger guests.
The Kids Club offers a variety of activities designed to keep children entertained while parents can enjoy some downtime.
Activities include:
- Arts & Crafts
- Little Chef
- Fun & Games
- Entertainment
I think this is such a lovely addition for families. A luxury hotel stay doesn’t necessarily have to mean parents keeping the kids occupied every minute of the day.
The Kids Club gives children their own experiences to look forward to, while giving parents an opportunity to relax and enjoy some of the hotel’s facilities.
Four Distinct Dining Experiences
While I got to experience Flint & Fennel during my visit, the newly reimagined hotel has four distinct dining areas, each offering its own atmosphere and culinary experience.
Flint & Fennel
Flint & Fennel is the hotel’s signature main restaurant, with large picture windows framing views of the harbour and Table Mountain.
The atmosphere is light, elegant and contemporary, and the restaurant offers all-day dining, from breakfast buffets to afternoon high teas and dinner.
After experiencing dinner there myself, I can definitely see why it forms such an important part of the hotel’s dining offering.
Le Bistrot de JAN
Le Bistrot de JAN has a completely different personality.
The deep-blue velvet, chandeliers and moody atmosphere create a beautiful French-bistro feel.
The restaurant combines French culinary influences with South African nostalgia and also features a dedicated cheese room.
With live jazz and an à la carte menu, it feels like the perfect place for a long lunch or romantic evening.
The Botanist’s Table
Located in the hotel’s beautiful lobby lounge, The Botanist’s Table is a more relaxed social space.
The large windows bring in plenty of natural light and offer views towards Table Mountain and the Waterfront.
During the day, it would be a lovely place for a coffee, casual meeting or quiet moment.
As the evening arrives, the space becomes more social, with fynbos-inspired cocktails, regional gin tastings and small plates.
Solandra Pool Deck
For something more relaxed, there’s Solandra Pool Deck.
Located on a 500-square-metre elevated wooden deck, next to the heated mineral swimming pool and jacuzzi, it has a beautiful outdoor holiday atmosphere.
Guests can enjoy poolside drinks, seasonal salads and wood-fired artisanal pizzas while soaking up the Cape Town sunshine.
After seeing the space, I definitely left wanting to come back and experience the other dining areas too!
Sustainability Matters
Another aspect of the redevelopment that I found particularly impressive is its focus on sustainability.
In August 2026, the hotel became the first hotel in South Africa to receive a 5-Star Green Star Design rating under the Green Building Council South Africa’s new Version 2 tool.
It’s encouraging to see a major hospitality property incorporate sustainability into such a significant redevelopment.
My Overall Experience
My invitation to experience the InterContinental Table Bay Cape Town gave me the opportunity to see a completely different side of a hotel that has been part of Cape Town’s landscape for decades.
What I loved most is how the hotel manages to combine luxury, history, modern South African design, wellness, family-friendly experiences, incredible dining and its unbeatable location.
But for me, it’s the people who really helped make the experience memorable.
From the warm welcome from Pammy to the wonderful service from Sardeequa at Flint & Fennel, it was those personal touches that made us feel genuinely welcomed.
Add to that beautiful cocktails, a glass of Eikendal Rosé 2026, a delicious dinner, incredible views, direct access to the V&A Waterfront, a 24-hour gym, a six-treatment-room spa and activities for children, and there really is something for everyone.
You can start your morning with views of Table Mountain, enjoy a workout or spa treatment, head directly into the V&A Waterfront for shopping and exploring, spend some time by the pool, enjoy a cocktail and beautiful meal at Flint & Fennel and finish the day surrounded by the incredible Cape Town scenery.
The hotel feels luxurious without losing its connection to Cape Town.
Sometimes you don’t need to travel far to discover somewhere new. This time, I found a little bit of luxury right here in my own city.
Thank you to the InterContinental Table Bay Cape Town for inviting me and my plus-one to experience the hotel and its hospitality. As always, these are my own personal impressions from my visit.